Ariana asked with a somewhat demanding aura making Aiden and Ashton can't help but flinch because of her sharp, cold gaze.
"What do you mean by that?" Aiden can't help but ask while Ashton is still watching Ariana as if he is dealing with someone he doesn't know.
It's understandable as this Ariana is not the same one as they met before. Besides, it's not like the previous one is close with these guys too anyway so Ariana can feel saved even if she crosses a line a little.
"My~ What a long journey was it? Are you feeling alright Ariana?"
The three of them did not realize that their carriage had stopped for a long time, and seeing that no one came out after waiting for a long time, Prince Asher decided to open the carriage himself to get them. However, he did not expect that he would meet with a somewhat awkward atmosphere.
"Umm... hello. We've arrived at the town. What are we waiting for?" Asher does not understand what is happening but what he knows is that they need to move fast or the store they want to visit might close in this situation. They arrived a bit late anyway.
Prince Ariel on the other hand watched from outside as soon as he saw Asher who was a little confused with what he encounters.
Ariana is the first to change her expression and smile towards Asher and respond.
"We arrived? Sorry for the wait. I didn't even realized. " She said while starting to get up to get down with Asher giving her his hand to help step down from the carriage.
As if coming out of a spell, Aiden and Ashton immediately woke up and followed suit right after. Asher gives them a 'curious look' which they respond with a look as if to say 'we talk later'.
Ariana realizes the exchange, but she can't be bothered by that. She needs them to know that she is different now so that they can open up to her one day. If naive and scared girl like previous Ariana can't work their sibling relationship, now, how about this strong-will Ariana? Clearly, they lack of compassion to that weak Ariana even though they saw how she turned to become. So, let's approach them just like a true Conrad should. Curiosity can even kill the cat after all.
"So, where are we going to go first?" Ariana who is not familiar with this town started asking in excitement. Even if she doesn't that excited before but after seeing the town with so many people and the noise make her change her mind a little.
"Do you want to go somewhere? Maybe you remember something?" Ariel asked wanting to know.
"I don't... remember anything. If something occurs, I will tell you immediately. Um... Let's just go to the place that all of you recommended. I don't mind. And if there is a store that sells sweets like cake or cookies I would love to try if that is okay for you brother."
This time it's not just Ariel, but the other three are also shocked listening to what Ariana just said.
'Oho~ This is interesting. They didn't seem to hate it, so this should be okay right? ' Ariana is trying her luck right now
"Oh my!" Pretending to be shocked by what she is saying, she even put her hand on her mouth, covering slightly as if regretting what she said.
"I'm sorry Prince Ariel. Its just a slip of the tongue. I don't even remember how our relationship is but I'm getting excited and said that. How rude of me."
"Hmmph..." Ariel just snorted.
"Brother is fine. We are siblings anyway. " Ashton suddenly spoke up. For some reason he didn't want Ariana to call him by the title. Hearing Ariana called 'brother' makes him think about the memory before they drifted apart, before the dark incident ever happened. All good ones... When they are still close.
"Really?" Ariana even jumps in her standing while looking at the face of the four princes. She is actually happy for real. At least, one of what she wanted the most, to call them just like when she was in the world again, is achieved.
Everyone is smiling except Ariel. He didn't let his guard down even for a second, even though he is arguing with the Duke to get her out of the palace.
Even so, Ariana is satisfied with this.
"Then, brother, it is." Blush started to creep up in the face of the four princes but Ariana didn't even notice.
So now, the five of them began to walk around the town with a 2-1-2 formation and of course Ariana was in the middle. Even if she didn't bring her knights together with her, she can't tell what the difference now looking at this tight security. Looks like she can't even sneak out for a while to explore by herself.
'Fine, let's just look around today. ' Ariana made up her mind.
They keep on going in and out to several clothing stores, jewelry and even shoes. Once they there, the four princes kept telling Ariana to choose and buy what she wanted even though she didn't feel the need to buy it. Seeing she hesitated, the brothers just paid for everything that she laid her eyes even for a second.
Ariana can't help but feel burdened by this even if it is not her 'gold' money. They even ordered four special dresses for her to wear during the royal ball. They didn't even tell her in advance what color or what design the dress was. They just said that she can wear which one of the four that caught her eyes. The dress will be ready next month and will be sent directly from the boutique.
I don't know why Ariana feels that these four princes are competing for her favor. It makes her feel bad just thinking of choosing the dress when the time comes. But, she didn't dwell on it so much as the royal ball is still far away.
What interests her more is that what she saw while walking in the town at that time. A lot of the people there seem to avoid their eyes to the royal princes and some even tremble.
Yet, the young woman who ran into them even though they kept quiet, their eyes can't look the other way. Ariana cannot deny that the four of her brothers are quite good looking themselves.
But, in every store they enter, all the merchants serve them professionally but Ariana can see their eyes that seem afraid to make a mistake.
'Is that just me, or are people afraid of them? But why? ' Ariana was getting curious. True, the King might have been a tyrant as the rumor said but did the princes also hold the same position.
What Aiden said when they were in the carriage came back to mind.
"Yeah, I shouldn't jump into conclusions without knowing more." She mumbled to herself.
"What did you just say?" Asher is always the one who realizes what she is doing. From the four of these guys Ariana realized this person is the one who watches her the most. The temperament is just similar to the guy that Ariana met at the silver palace before.
'Just like Jeremy.'
Asher looked at her waiting for an answer.
"I said, I'm hungry." This will do and she didn't lie. She never the one who loves shopping back in her previous life anyway so this exhausting her.
"That restaurant over there serves nice steak. They also have good dessert. How about that?" Ashton recommends.
"I'm fine either way." Just thinking of the menu makes Ariana is drooling right away and she misses the look that Ariel gave her at the time.
"Let's go before it gets crowded." Aiden always concludes the final selection.
While walking to go towards the restaurant, Ariana saw a sweet shop that caught her interest so she walked slowly until she was right behind from the four princes, just at the moment,
"Ouch!" Ariana fell to the ground as her body was pushed hard by someone before the person moved away quickly, running for his life.
Alerted by the sudden sound of pain, all the princes continued to turn their bodies backwards to see what happened while drawing their swords in instinct.
"Hey!" Ashton shouted while chasing with Ariel while Asher and Ashton attend to Ariana to see if she is hurting.
Ariana froze in her place while her ears still heard the voice of the unknown person. While they are colliding, the person held onto her and said softly in her ears,
"Long time no see princess."
Before, he pushed her to the ground. Not before he slips something in her hand.
"Are you okay? Do you hurt somewhere?" Asher asked.
Aiden however, looks grim. "How dare they hurt a royal blood."
"I'm fine, really. I'm the one who tripped over my feet and hit that person. So it's okay. " Didn't know why Ariana felt the need to lie now.
"Are you sure that's what happened?" Aiden seemed unhappy.
"It is real. So let just leave the person be okay." Ariana pleaded.
Seeing Ariana who is determined, Aiden and Asher decide to just find Ashton and Ariel now before they kill the man. When they didn't pay attention to her, Ariana peaked at the paper that was in her hand at the time before she hid it.
'Carl?'