woke up chapter 15

Ariel had only said it casually, but the moment the words left her lips, it seemed like a brilliant idea.

Yes, if she saved up, she could buy a magic stone. Until then, she could just stay here! She was only a child, after all!

“So you agree?”

“No.”

Etheldred’s firm reply made Ariel pout.

“Why?”

“We’re nine and eight.”

“So what?”

“We can’t share a room.”

Ariel stared at Etheldred, utterly bewildered.

“Why not?”

“I heard that once you’re over seven, you can’t share a room.”

“Why?”

Etheldred hesitated for a long moment, then answered with a newfound resolve.

“I heard if you sleep together, you’ll have a baby.”

Ariel held her breath, clenching her stomach to suppress the laughter bubbling inside her.

Unfazed by Ariel’s barely contained amusement, Etheldred continued earnestly.

“I don’t want to marry you right now.”

“Who said I’d marry you?” Ariel retorted quickly, still fighting back a grin. “And you’re wrong. Storks bring babies. Holding hands while you sleep won’t make one appear.”

Etheldred tilted his head at Ariel’s confident lie.

“But Lady Iris said…”

“So, that means we can sleep together now, right?” Ariel declared triumphantly.

However, Marquis Steffen swiftly put an end to Ariel’s plan.

“Absolutely not!”

“Why?”

“Boys and girls sleep in separate rooms.”

“Why?”

A troubled expression crossed Marquis Steffen’s face.

Ariel’s amusement vanished, replaced by an innocent look as she blinked, clearly expecting an answer.

Marquis Steffen rubbed his temples and shook his head.

“Just no.”

Ariel puffed out her cheeks in frustration.

Marquis Steffen flinched at her expression but didn’t back down.

Resigned, Ariel nodded.

Fine, then I’ll just sneak in at night!

***

After Marquis Steffen left the room so Ariel could rest, Etheldred and Rodbrill followed him out.

“Rodbrill, I received word from Lady Fay. She’s heading out to support the area invaded by the Maegul. Stay at the castle with Ariel for the time being.” Marquis Steffen handed Rodbrill a letter and added, “This is from Lady Fay. Give it to Ariel, so she doesn’t worry.”

“Understood. Have a good night, Lord Steffen.”

Marquis Steffen nodded in response to Rodbrill.

“Good night.” He didn’t even glance at Etheldred, however, as he turned and walked toward his own room.

Etheldred, accustomed to the Marquis’s disregard, bowed his head. Once the Marquis was out of sight, he paused.

Looking back, he saw the pink door of the room Ariel often used.

It was strangely unsettling how closely the color resembled her eyes.

As he thought this, Ariel’s face seemed to appear on the door.

Bright, almost magenta pink eyes gazed at him without hesitation.

A clear, affectionate gaze. A hand reaching out longingly, as if needing him.

Etheldred looked down at his own hand. It felt as though Ariel’s warmth lingered where she had touched him.

Still the same.

Etheldred recalled the first time he met Ariel. Though very young, he remembered it vividly.

It was his birthday, and the anniversary of his mother’s death.

Marquis Steffen wouldn’t see anyone on that day.

Etheldred had to remain hidden, careful not to upset his already volatile father.

He instinctively knew that if his father saw his red eyes that day, even the fragile thread of their relationship would sever.

Etheldred knew all too well that his red eyes, a mark of immense magical power, were blamed for his mother’s death.

‘A blessing of magic? It’s proof I’m a murderer.’

His father’s cold words echoed in Etheldred’s mind.

If only I hadn’t been born with these eyes. Or if I had died instead of Mother.

Etheldred had been crying silently for a long time when he met a lost Ariel.

‘Your eyes are pretty! Give them to me!’

He was taken aback by the little girl who trailed after him, calling his eyes pretty. They weren’t pretty. They couldn’t be.

‘Ethel, pretty! Like a princess!’

It was strange. The word “pretty” made his heart flutter. No one had ever called his red eyes pretty.

Well, she’s just a child.

He’d reasoned it away, but even after leaving Auburn, he couldn’t forget Ariel.

And when they met again, Ariel was still radiant. The girl, showered with love, had grown into someone capable of giving that love back.

But he was afraid.