Right after Kaya Ouchi's judgement, my legs carried me off somewhere else.
I want to see him...I really want to see him!
While I was crossing halls, I accidentally fell from trying to avoid someone. That person ended up falling with me.
"Arielle?"
"Garett..."
"Arielle, welcome back," Garett said with a smile.
"I am back..." I said as tears suddenly fell down my face.
"Arielle!" Garett said as he quickly wiped my tears with his handkerchief in a frantic manner.
"Kaya Ouchi kidnapped me and brought me to a strange cabin with my friend Dolton. I put up a strong face for him because he was injured, but I was actually really scared. I was scared that maybe I would end up causing more harm than good to Dolton...or that Kaya Ouchi would come back with her lackeys and attack us again...Most of all, I was scared that I would never be able to see you again," I said in a fluster.
When I came back, I presented the evidence to Prince Erik. He helped me take care as well as hide Dolton away from Kaya Ouchi's eyes while he received proper treatment and helped me convict her. The whole time I wanted to see Garett.
My tears would not stop at all...I have become a useless woman.
"What can I do to get you to stop crying?" he asked as he wiped my tears with his thumb.
"M-May I make an odd request?" I asked nervously.
"Of course," Garett said.
"...Can I ask for a hug?" I asked.
He is going to say 'no'...
"Wait for a sec," he said as he swooped me up in his arms.
"G-Garett?"
He leapt over a railing and brought me to a grassy area behind the bushes. We were hidden from all eyes on all sides.
Was he being mindful of other people?
"Here," he said as he opened his arms all wide.
I went in for a hug and held him tightly around his body. He wrapped his arms around me as well.
"A little tighter please..."
Enough so that I can barely breathe...I want to feel your presence strongly in my arms.
"Ah...okay..."
He squeezed me a bit tighter than before. I moved my hands up his back and lightly brought my nose to his nape.
"I missed this scent..."
I really liked his fresh pine scent that was coupled with fresh laundry detergent. He always smells nice and is tidy and clean like a forest.
My heart feels so full when I am with him...I probably love him more than before.
No, that is a definitely...
"...Arielle, I do not mind you sniffing me, but I am a bit embarrassed right now," Garett said.
"Embarrassed?" I asked.
"I am sweating a bit..."
He was definitely sweating a bit on closer inspection.
"...Why are you sweating?" I asked.
"...I heard that you had come back, so I wanted to see you sooner," Garett said with a slightly embarrassed face.
"I am not going to let go," I said as I rubbed my head onto his chest.
I do not care if I become a no good woman just for now.
"Arielle, it is really embarrassing...My sweat will smell," Garett said shyly.
My eyes are really tired...
"You never smell anything but good..."
I wonder when I fell asleep. For a long time, I was not able to sleep well. I was constantly worrying about what could happen and planning ahead on how to protect myself. The last of my thoughts was on how to get home, rather I was afraid that I would be forgotten by the people I love.
I want to apologize deeply to Erik...
I love Garett.
I tried pushing him far away from me, only to fail miserably.
Erik can live without me by his side, but I do not know if I can say the same about myself towards him or Garett. For now, I want to follow my heart for once and truly love the person in front of me.
I woke up some time later in the evening and saw that I was resting my head on Garett's inner arm.
He was asleep as well...
Garett suddenly turned to his side.
I touched his long eyelashes and lightly touched his soft cheeks with the tips of my fingers.
I think I age backwards when I am with him.
The servants of the Royal Castle always told me that I was a lovely and capable young Queen. There were times where I lost my cool in front of Erik, but the number is not even close to what Garett has seen of me. I was not even cute in any of those instances. I am doomed as a lady and as a normal person.
Despite all of my insecurities, I still want to be with this person.