Ariadne blinked in disbelief at Diego’s last words. She wanted to enjoy her freedom alone. Slowly, she looked at the man sitting before her.
Everywhere he went, people’s attention was drawn to his striking appearance. Moreover, Diego was, without question, a member of the royal family. She had no desire to carry such a conspicuous “baggage” with her.
“What did you say?”
Ariadne asked in astonishment. The condition he had presented was completely unexpected, leaving her momentarily speechless.
“That’s the condition.”
Since Diego often spoke without thinking and acted according to his whims, Ariadne hadn’t taken his words too seriously at first.
“Don’t say such nonsense.”
Diego might have been a suitable helper, but as a companion, he was utterly unsuitable. When Ariadne immediately rejected his suggestion, he merely smiled as if it were no big deal.
“I specialize in nonsense, you know.”
“….”
She had nothing to reply; his nonsense somehow felt like the truth.
Before Ariadne could respond, Diego suddenly brought up that night’s incident.
“Why on earth did the Saint try to kill herself? Everyone’s keeping quiet, but the truth should be known. What did you actually do?”
He was referring to the day Ashley threw herself into the lake. Diego’s expression showed he was burning with curiosity. The sudden shift in topic left Ariadne speechless again. She knew Diego often spoke recklessly, saying whatever came to mind, but she still found it difficult to get used to.
“….”
When she didn’t answer and slightly frowned, Diego, who usually spoke bluntly, quickly changed his tone. Realizing his mistake, he added hurriedly, watching her expression.
“No, I misspoke. What exactly happened?”
“…I don’t want to talk about it.”
The incident remained a painful memory for her. Ariadne shook her head; she didn’t want to dredge it up unnecessarily. After all, everything happening now was essentially because of that day.
Seeing her firm stance, Diego shrugged nonchalantly. He seemed accustomed to such refusals.
“Alright. Don’t tell me. I’ll find out myself.”
An awkward silence fell between them. Thinking there was no need to spend more time with him, Ariadne slowly rose from her seat.
Diego followed suit. Once more, Ariadne drew a line, speaking firmly.
“Do not follow me. I don’t want your notorious reputation added to my name.”
“….”
“Consider it as repaying a debt and let me leave the palace.”
Her resolute words seemed to sting Diego slightly, though he quickly brightened and spoke again.
“The hunting tournament is about to start.”
Diego suddenly changed the topic. His skill at steering the conversation was impressive. Ariadne decided it worked to her advantage and played along.
“Yes.”
“The opening is the most chaotic. Perfect for slipping out of the palace. Anyone can enter the palace that day, so leaving is no problem either.”
Ariadne nodded, understanding his unusually serious expression.
“Good.”
“Then we’ll meet on the second floor of the Colosseum that day.”
Their agreement was reached swiftly. Diego hated dragging things out, after all.
“Understood.”
Ariadne left his room, faintly smiling after a long time. Diego couldn’t take his eyes off her until she completely disappeared from view.
As Ariadne left Diego’s reception room, she suddenly thought of Ian.
The reason her fiancé, whom she had completely forgotten amidst thoughts of sacred powers, came to mind was partly because Diego had mentioned Ashley. The timing was also significant.
“The hunting tournament is approaching…”
Trivial memories of the past crept in. Ariadne and Ian had been known as a respectable and close couple in high society.
“These thoughts too…”
In a society where nobles mostly engaged in arranged marriages based on family influence and personal gain, Ariadne and Ian had been exceptionally lucky.
The Blieres and Hilman families. Both held similar power and were pro-Emperor factions. Their families had frequent exchanges from childhood, and the families were close.
Thus, Ariadne and Ian grew up like childhood friends, naturally accepting that they were to be each other’s future spouse. No other man mattered in Ariadne’s life.
In fact, she had grown to genuinely like him. Ian had been diligent and sincere. She once thought she could imagine a future with him.
“….”
Ariadne realized that the past lay piled up like fallen autumn leaves, quietly accumulating. The past could not simply be erased.
“Ha…”
Walking slowly, Ariadne gazed out the corridor window at the Colosseum. Preparations for the opening of the hunting tournament were in full swing.
The scene reminded her of last year’s opening. Wanting a special date, the usually reserved couple had dared to break the rules.
[How do I look? Does it suit me?]
She had abandoned the elegant dress nobles wore and put on a simple commoner’s dress. They intended to watch the opening of the hunting tournament in disguise, free from their noble identities.
The palace’s iconic “Great Colosseum” had four floors. The opening was sometimes open to the public.
The first floor was for nobles and knights participating in the tournament; the second floor was for the royal family and high-ranking nobles; the third floor was for other nobles, guild masters, or merchant leaders. The top floor, the fourth, was open to commoners, each floor exuding a distinct atmosphere.
For some reason, Ariadne and Ian wanted to fully enjoy their freedom.
[Our Aria looks beautiful in anything.]
Ariadne, embraced by Ian’s gentle smile, felt everything was perfect. He carried the refreshing scent of the wind.
[Ah, and…]
Ian briefly positioned her at his side as if she were a part of him, carefully strapping his sword to his waist and draping a robe over his shoulders.
[You have to wear it too. The robe.]
Then he took a folded robe and carefully placed it over Ariadne’s shoulders. The gentle touch made her heart flutter.
[Even in clothes like this, your beauty can’t be hidden, our Aria.]
[What about you, Ian?]
It wasn’t unpleasant to hear. She might have unconsciously blushed.
Boldly, they headed to the fourth floor. Unknown to anyone there, they spent time leaning on each other, enjoying each other’s company.
His broad, protective shoulders were comforting. His kind gaze, gentle words—everything was perfect.
Amidst the noisy, boisterous crowd, they felt complete joy together. That day had been wonderful.
It could change in a heartbeat. Could simply become bitter memories.
“Ha.”
Ariadne dismissed the thought.
From childhood, memories of wandering the palace stirred up unexpectedly. Now, it was nothing. All of this…
“You shouldn’t have asked me such things, Your Highness.”
She shook her head sharply again.
It wasn’t that she longed for or missed Ian. She had long abandoned the hope and future she once sought from him after the incident with Ashley.
“It’s a shame for good memories to fade…”
Ariadne chuckled lightly. It was sad when past memories changed color depending on present emotions.
Even the happiest moments could sink into mud after a single wrong choice. The greater the joy, the sharper the sense of betrayal.
She faintly smiled, then wiped it away. Footprints left lightly on the ground are eventually washed away by the rain. She hoped her memories with him would fade gently, becoming nothing.
“Ah.”
As she looked outside, Ariadne suddenly stopped, startled, as if fate itself were playing a trick.
There, Ian was standing before her, looking at her with a pitiful expression.
“….”
“….”
Hesitant at first, Ian suddenly stepped forward toward Ariadne.
