HER ENTHUSIASM

"I can't wait to become an official detective. How to be an official detective then?" Veronica urged him. "This way, I can find out the reason behind Sister Ruth's death."

She seemed very confident about her skills as a detective.

Arthur was amused by her words. He answered, "All you have to learn is basic fighting skills and catch some criminals to get the king's approval. If you can do this, you will be the first detective in Utahil and the first female detective in the world."

Veronica stuttered, "The k-king's approval? Can I even meet him?"

The king of this country wasn't that easy to meet with. Moreover, the commoners hardly had a chance to see their kind. Even living in the temple, she had no idea how the king looked like. Forget about approval, how could she meet the most distinguished person in the kingdom?

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Is this what you are worried about? I thought you would be more worried about learning how to fight."

"Oh, I should be worried about that." Except for fighting with children, she had never fought anyone. It was something to worry about indeed.

"You should forget about becoming a detective. After all, you trust people too easily. In your eyes, everyone is a good person. And a detective's first task is to be suspicious of every single person who was related to the crime, victim, and the criminal. This kind of job is not for you. if the criminal put on a smiling face, your heart will melt easily."

Veronica put her arms on her waist and objected, "Hey, I'm not that dumb!"

Arthur crossed his arms and stated, "After seeing you with Max, I think that's exactly how you will act."

[A/N: Truthfully, I doubt the same thing.]

"I will not. I will doubt everyone including you if you are connected to any crime. Hmph!" Veronica looked away in anger.

Arthur's expression changed. He looked dejected. He said, "Will you really do that? Ah, I'm hurt. I can't believe I was feeding milk to a snake."

Veronica became nervous. "Ah, I didn't mean it that way. I was just saying it. It was a joke. I would never distrust you."

Upon hearing her words, Arthur smirked. "I knew it. See? You trust people too easily."

"Y-you were joking with me?!" Veronica couldn't believe he was acting just now. It was so real. Her facial expression was hilarious. She looked dumbfounded and angry at the same time.

"Don't get mad. I had to let you know what kind of person you are. It's not that it's bad. I think it's admirable that you think positively about everything. However, it's better if you don't blindly follow anything." Arthur changed the subject before her temper got any worse, "Anyway, what are you going to do with this diary?" He swung the diary in front of her face.

"What do you think I will do?" Veronica snatched the diary from his hand and said, "I will take it with me. When I find the truth, you have to change the view of me."

Arthur's face was full of smiles. "Hey now, I'm not saying you are bad. In my eyes, you are a gentle, brave, and stunning woman. I'm telling the truth."

"I don't believe you." Veronica seemed a bit strict. She looked at the clock and stated, "I think I should leave now. I have to wake up at dawn."

As she turned to leave, Arthur captured her hand and pulled her toward him. Veronica's back touched his warm chest. Her heart skipped a bit as she felt a familiar warmth and a unique odor. She felt his breaths touching her slender neck and she trembled.

It seemed her brain was sleeping. Without getting any signal from her brain, she couldn't move. It was like her legs were rooted on the spot. As if the time had stopped. Her heart was beating faster. She didn't know why she was feeling like this. Her heart was in a mess.

Arthur placed his chin on her shoulder and spoke in a deep voice, "Why don't you stay here tonight?"

"Huh?" from her open mouth, a quivering sound escaped. Veronica didn't dare to face him. Her body froze.

Arthur mentioned, "I will wake you up tomorrow at dawn without a mistake. You don't have much time anyway. Don't you want to sleep in a comfortable bed?" As if he was coaxing her to agree with his suggestion, he added, "I will cook you something delicious with meat."

"Meat?" Veronica's tongue watered.

Arthur further added, "You can borrow some books too."

She could eat meat stew once a month. To be able to eat something she liked, she couldn't miss the chance. Moreover, she could read some romantic books. Could she miss this chance?

Veronica had to agree to this tempting invitation. "All right, I will stay. Just remember to wake me up at five."

"Splendid! Let me show you your room." Arthur moved away from her and walked toward the door.

"Haah…" Only then Veronica realized that she was holding her breath. Her heart was still thumping quickly. She followed him as though she was hypnotized.

Arthur let her stay in the same room she stayed in before. That was his own bedroom. He said, "There is only one bedroom here. Make yourself comfortable."

Veronica hesitated before asking, "Umm… where will you sleep?"

"I have lots of work to finish in the library. Don't worry. I've taken a nap in the afternoon." Arthur paused before adding, "I will sleep if you invite me to join you."

In a second, Veronica's face turned red. "Playboy!" She slammed the door shut. 'I can't believe his guts,' she thought. She sat on the bed and placed her hands on her chest. She felt her heartbeat. She told herself, 'Calm down, heart. Why am I feeling like this? So weird.'

She couldn't calm down for a long time.

When she did, she fell asleep. After that, someone quietly opened the door and walked into the room without making a noise.