Chapter 391: Arielle’s New Daily Life (3)
Arielle found herself in a strange place emotionally. It wasn’t that she wasn’t used to seeing people in love—she’d lived among families, seen marriages, and even watched her sister fall head over heels with some baker’s son. But this was different. Ever since she’d taken on her new role as stewardess, she’d begun to notice Lyan’s flirting becoming increasingly intense every day. It wasn’t just the occasional affectionate kiss; no, it was the long, intimate kisses exchanged in secluded corridors, the kind that made even seasoned servants avert their eyes. It was the way Lyan’s hand would linger on a woman’s shoulder, his gaze softening as he spoke to her.
Arielle had never been the kind of person to get wrapped up in other people’s relationships, but there was something about Lyan’s carefree way of expressing his affection—how easily the women around him seemed to fall into his arms, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. She found herself unable to ignore it, her curiosity slowly growing day by day. How did it work, really? How did all these women coexist, knowing they shared him?
She was sitting at her desk in the castle’s office wing, staring blankly at a piece of parchment, her quill hovering over the inkpot. She didn’t even realize she hadn’t written anything until one of her aides came by, knocking lightly on her desk.
"Lady Arielle? You seem... distracted," the young man said, his brows furrowed with concern.
Arielle snapped out of her thoughts, offering him a quick smile. "Oh, I’m fine. Just... just thinking."
The aide nodded politely and walked away, leaving Arielle alone with her thoughts again. She sighed deeply, setting her quill down and rubbing her temples. She had to know—her curiosity was driving her mad. It wasn’t just about Lyan; it was about the whole dynamic. She wanted to understand it, even if she felt embarrassed by her own interest.
Finally, she gathered her courage. She found Lyan later that afternoon in the courtyard, speaking with one of his guards. He looked up as she approached, his eyes lighting up with recognition. "Arielle! What’s on your mind?"
Arielle hesitated for a moment, glancing around to make sure no one else was listening. She took a deep breath, then asked, "Lyan... I—I was wondering. How do all these relationships work? You and... all the women here. Aren’t there... issues?"
Lyan blinked, clearly taken aback by the question. Then, he laughed softly, a gentle smile spreading across his face. "Ah, I see. You’re curious, huh?"