Chapter 14
It was because of the words, “Become mine.”
Didn’t it sound like a confession to a woman he loved?
Of course, that wasn’t Canin’s intention.
He simply wasn’t fluent in the language here, so the words came out that way—but it was more than enough to provoke Ian. Moreover, it seemed Ian hadn’t even properly heard what came after.
At Ian’s sudden appearance, Ariadne let out a sigh.
“……”
With a slightly angry face, Ian stepped right in between Ariadne and Canin.
Then he immediately spoke sharply to Canin.
“Even if you are a prince, there are things you should and shouldn’t say.”
Canin frowned even more than before, clearly annoyed. The man interrupting his business displeased him greatly.
According to his original plan, he should have already returned to his country with the Saint. But his proposal had been rejected, and now Ariadne was his only hope. He tried to control his expression and asked Ian,
“Who are you?”
He was trying to be polite, but his voice wasn’t as kind as when he spoke to Ariadne.
Ian didn’t back down.
“I am Ariadne’s fiancé.”
At his confident words, Ariadne frowned. She had just clearly ended their relationship, yet he still spoke so boldly.
She was about to deny it, but before she could, Canin looked at her with a troubled expression.
“Fiancé? That is the first time I hear this. Lady, you had a fiancé? I did not know and acted rudely…”
“No, Your Highness.”
Ariadne quickly stepped in to clear the misunderstanding.
“You don’t need to worry about our relationship.”
“Aria!”
Ian raised his voice, hurt by her firm attitude. But nothing would change. Ariadne leaned slightly closer and whispered in his ear,
“I told you. We’re done. Stop it.”
She didn’t even look at him.
Canin smirked and spoke again.
“You heard her… didn’t you?”
He crossed his arms and stared at Ian. His attitude toward Ian was completely different from how he treated Ariadne.
He didn’t even ask Ian’s name, treating him like someone beneath him.
“Then I will continue my conversation with Lady Ariadne. Please step aside.”
It sounded like a request, but it was closer to an order.
“……”
Ian clenched his fists. Judging by his presence, Canin was clearly of higher status. So Ian couldn’t easily argue further.
“If you stay too close, you become used to things. A man who does not know what is precious is foolish.”
Canin muttered as if speaking to himself and waited for Ian to move.
But Ian didn’t step back. His pride seemed to rise.
Still glaring at Canin, he suddenly stepped closer to Ariadne.
“Today, I will take Aria with me. She is still my fiancée.”
As soon as he said that, he grabbed Ariadne’s wrist and turned around.
Everything happened so quickly that Ariadne raised her voice in anger.
“What are you doing?!”
Ian felt anxious.
It felt like Ariadne was being taken away by another man. He had only just decided to fix things between them.
Of course, he still believed she needed to apologize to Ashley—but for now, dealing with the situation in front of him came first.
Even though she said it was over, he couldn’t accept it.
He believed there was still a chance to fix things.
He couldn’t imagine Ariadne leaving him.
“Ah—That hurts! Ian!”
Without realizing how tightly he was gripping her wrist, he dragged her through the palace where everyone could see.
“Ian!”
Finally, when they reached her room, Ariadne shouted in anger.
As soon as he let go, she slapped him.
The sharp sound echoed through the air.
“What do you think you’re doing?! In front of everyone! How shameful!”
Ariadne’s face turned red with anger.
Whether it was because her wrist hurt or because she felt humiliated from being dragged, tears had gathered in her eyes.
Only then did Ian come to his senses. The feeling that he kept making mistakes with her overwhelmed him.
“I’m sorry.”
“We can’t! Not anymore!”
Crying out, Ariadne turned and went into her room.
Ian tried to follow, but the door shut right in front of him.
“Go back. I don’t want to see your face for a while.”
Her trembling voice came from behind the door.
He waited for a long time, but she didn’t come out.
In the end, Ian had no choice but to leave.
Not a few people had seen the scene Ian and Ariadne caused in the middle of the palace, so rumors spread quickly.
Even the part where she slapped him.
But soon, the rumors were buried by news of the hunting tournament.
In a way, that was fortunate.
The opening day of the hunting tournament arrived.
Ariadne was preparing to go out, thinking about her promise with Prince Diego.
Today, I can finally leave the palace.
Not wanting to stand out, she dressed more formally than usual.
Just thinking about quietly attending the opening and leaving through Diego made her feel lighter.
She felt as if her healing power was growing stronger, but that didn’t matter.
If Ashley’s divine power kept fading, her downfall was only a matter of time.
Ariadne didn’t want to get caught in the palace because of that.
She wanted to go somewhere no one knew her, and live freely—even if not richly.
Thinking that today would be the end of her duties as the Count’s eldest daughter and as a noble made her feel like she could fly.
The corset tightening her waist felt uncomfortable, but since it was the last time, she didn’t mind.
“How would you like your hair done?”
The maids attending her seemed very obedient, probably because they had heard rumors about her.
It was strange.
Why did people listen better when treated harshly?
She glanced at the maid brushing her hair.
“Don’t tie it all up… leave half down.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Afraid of making a mistake, the maid worked quickly.
Soon, fully prepared, Ariadne stepped outside.
The hunting tournament always began at the palace’s central Colosseum.
She walked there out of habit.
Since she knew the path so well, she arrived without thinking.
Because so many people entered at once, entry times were controlled.
Royalty and nobles entered first, and guards were checking identities at every entrance.
Ariadne usually entered with the Count, Ashley, and Ian.
But today, even after waiting, she couldn’t see them.
“His Highness will be waiting…”
After waiting a bit longer, she decided to go in alone.
There was no need to enter together anyway.
Her goal was to meet the prince inside.
It might even be more comfortable without them.
“….”
Especially since it was still uncomfortable to meet Ian.
As Ariadne stepped forward, a strict-looking knight blocked her.
“May I have your name?”
“Ariadne Blieres.”
She thought it was just a routine check and waited, but the knight didn’t let her pass.
After whispering among themselves, he spoke coldly.
“I’m sorry. You cannot enter right now.”
“What?”
Even after hearing the name Blieres, they wouldn’t let her in?
She let out a disbelieving laugh.
Calming herself, she asked again,
“Did Ashley Blieres go in?”
“Yes. The Saint has already entered earlier.”
Even though Ariadne called her “Ashley,” the knight respectfully used the title Saint.
How polite.
Ariadne crossed her arms and asked again,
“Then you must know that I am that great Saint’s sister?”
The knight flinched slightly and avoided her gaze, but he didn’t move.
“…I’m sorry.”
“Ha.”
Only then did Ariadne realize—
something was wrong.
