CHAPTER 866: CHAPTER 866: UNFAIR

Eating their meal first was important indeed.

While eating, they had their usual conversation after being apart - checking on each other’s health, their eating and sleeping habits, and updating each other about how things were on their end.

Arabella also relayed her side of the story about how things were during the war with Crux and what she witnessed when Alwin arrived wounded and what happened afterwards which led to his collapse.

"You were in the room, and you got out of the protective barrier. Repeatedly as well," Ferdinand noted.

’Ooops!’

Arabella froze when she realized she forgot she was not supposed to be there.

Before the war began, Ferdinand told her she should stay at a safe place and receive reports from there during the war.

However, Arabella wanted to be hands-on and see the rescued Prudencians with her own eyes and help with the work as much as she could.

Thus, she was monitoring things closely and even repeatedly got out of the protective barrier Alwin made that isolated her location from everyone else.

Ferdinand saw her actions from the records taken by the surveillance magic tools in every room in the Magic Tower used during the war; and thus, knew she did not keep her word.

"I-It was safe since proper checks were done. And the protective barrier was there. I didn’t get out of the barrier carelessly. Only when I was sure there were no intruders or posers. And nothing wrong happened," Arabella quickly reasoned.

’Why did I forget about this?! He wouldn’t get angry, right?!’

Arabella gulped nervously as she waited for Ferdinand to speak.

"..."

Ferdinand remained silent and just stared at her.

[None of them reported it to me, and they all looked away when I saw Arabella on the scene when I watched the footage. They had been holding back information from me more often when it came to Arabella’s actions.]

’Is he beginning to doubt his own people?!’

Arabella did not want to cause a rift between them, so she had to speak up.

"I’m so sorry! I was the one who asked them not to inform you about it since I was planning to tell you about it myself when we get the chance to talk," Arabella clarified before Ferdinand decided he could no longer trust his own people.

"You were planning to tell me? You looked so surprised when I mentioned it, though," Ferdinand pointed out.

’Huwah... Why did he become so strict again?’

She knew she was at fault though so she needed to explain.

"It left my mind since a lot had been going on since then. But I truly planned to tell you."

Arabella had been busy with a lot of work. She had also been monitoring as much as she could about everything that was currently going on.

Further, she did not expect Ferdinand to arrive today either and thus was not ready for confiding.

And she was too excited about being on a date with him again after being so busy that it completely left her mind.

Ferdinand sighed and took a sip of his wine.

Yet, he did not say a word after settling his glass back on the table.

[She is indeed safe and nothing did go wrong. But it’s still worrisome how she always works too hard. She has a knack for exposing herself to danger as well every time I’m not around. It makes me want to keep her locked up somewhere hidden and faraway where no harm could reach her. I have agreed to let her work and I’m grateful for all her help. But sometimes, I still could not help but think maybe I shouldn’t let her work at all.]

"!!!"

Arabella was wide-eyed upon hearing Ferdinand’s thoughts.

She grabbed his hand and pleaded, "Ferdinand, please let me work. I will feel terribly useless if I don’t work. I want to be useful! And there are still a lot of things I want to do. I don’t want to stay somewhere far and hidden just yet."

They already talked about this before and he had agreed to let her work as she pleased. Still, she wanted to ask him again so he wouldn’t change his mind.

"Ah, I didn’t mean to let you hear all those," Ferdinand blushed in embarrassment when he realized she heard his intrusive thoughts yet again.

[I already told myself not to let my mind wander, but I keep being careless. Still, it’s true that I can’t help but think it’s better to retire early in Estrella and keep her there.]

"Ferdinand..."

Arabella gave him a pleading look and held his hand with both of hers. She was not ready to retire yet.

"..."

Ferdinand gulped and looked away before he looked her in the eye again.

[This is cheating! How can she plead with me while looking this adorable?]

’Huh? What is?’

"You are being unfair. You know I’d give in when you act like this, don’t you?" Ferdinand said in a slightly stern voice.

"What do you mean? I’m begging you nicely because I know I did wrong," Arabella said innocently and held his hand tighter.

[Ah, this is even more unfair. She doesn’t even know she does it.]

Ferdinand sighed and glanced at their hands.

’Ah, right...’ Arabella finally realized what he meant.

She thought Ferdinand had gotten a bit more used to her touch and expressions by now that he wouldn’t be as strongly affected as he used to be. But it seems he still does. Not that she’s complaining.

It feels good to know he’s still as strongly attracted to her as ever.

"Alright. Alright. You can keep working as you please. I did agree last time so I’m not going back on my word. But you can’t blame me for having intrusive thoughts at times since you keep putting yourself at risk. At least ask me for help when you need it," Ferdinand relented.

"Thank you!!"

Arabella was relieved she averted another crisis.

It is quite worrisome when Ferdinand’s thoughts begin heading in such a direction.