𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞

10. Collecting data together

The morning light poured into the grand dining hall, casting golden patterns across the table as Arielle sat awkwardly, awaiting the king's arrival. She still felt sore from the grueling lessons with Madam Reeta the day before, her mind replaying the scoldings. The weight of the books balanced on her head, the strict voice correcting her every move-it all made her feel like a complete failure. But today, she held on to a small hope that maybe, just maybe, she'd get a break.

Then, the king entered with his usual regal air, followed by Aiore, who seemed just as stiff and cold as ever. Queen Ezra gave a subtle nod of greeting, and the breakfast began, silence ruling over the room.

Halfway through the meal, the king spoke, his deep voice cutting through the silence. "Arielle, Aiore, today you will both disguise yourselves and head to the nearby village."

Arielle's fork slipped from her hand, clattering against her plate. "Excuse me, Your Majesty?" she asked, eyes wide with surprise. She hadn't expected this-certainly not something as strange as a royal outing in disguise.

The king's expression didn't waver. "It's important for you to understand the lives of the people you may one day rule. You'll observe their daily struggles and ensure the reports we've been receiving from our officers are accurate."

Arielle swallowed, unsure how to respond. Disguise? Go to a village? But then, a spark of excitement lit up inside her. She could escape Madam Reeta's torturous lessons for the day. Plus, she'd get to spend more time with Aiore-even if he remained as cold as ever. She glanced at him. Aiore nodded, unsurprised by the assignment, as though this were routine for him. His calm acceptance amazed her.

"You look pleased," Aiore suddenly whispered to her, his voice low and cool, catching her by surprise.

"I'm just... glad to help the kingdom," she replied, trying to keep her voice neutral. Inside, she wanted to roll her eyes at him. How could someone be so condescending without saying much?

Not long after, the preparations began. Arielle was dressed in a simple brown cloak, her hair loosely tied back to complete the commoner look. Her usual delicate gowns and jewels felt like a distant memory, replaced by rough, worn fabrics. Aiore, too, dressed simply, his noble appearance muted by the plain clothes. Yet, he still carried an air of authority, even in disguise.

As they stepped out of the palace and into the village carriage, Arielle stole a glance at him. His expression was as unreadable as ever. "I guess I'll be the one making conversation," she thought grimly.

The ride to the village was quiet, except for the sound of the horses' hooves clattering against the dirt road. Arielle couldn't resist peeking out of the window to see the village drawing near. As they passed through the stone archway, the sights of the village opened before them. It was a world she'd never seen before-simple houses, children playing in the streets, the clamor of the market filling the air.

Once they disembarked, Aiore turned to her, his voice slightly mocking. "It must be your first time seeing how the poor live."

Arielle shot him a glare, rolling her eyes this time. "Actually, yes," she replied, her voice sharp. She didn't need him mocking her. This wasn't her world-yet she was here to learn, wasn't she?

They ventured deeper into the market square, the scent of fresh bread and spices filling the air. Merchants called out, hawking their wares. Arielle's eyes sparkled with curiosity, taking in the bustling scene. It wasn't long before Aiore turned to her and said, "Our task is to gather information about the prices of daily necessities. The king wants to ensure that no one is being cheated by the officers in charge."

Arielle's heart skipped with excitement. Finally, something she could actively do. "Leave it to me," she said, eager to prove herself.

Aiore raised an eyebrow, clearly doubting her abilities. He was used to handling this sort of thing, and he probably assumed she'd just make a mess of it. But Arielle felt confident in her own skills-after all, she had a sharp mind and plenty of experience dealing with people in her previous life as Su Mi. This should be a breeze.

She approached one of the merchants, a middle-aged woman selling vegetables, and asked casually about the prices. The merchant, looking at Arielle's simple attire, began speaking to her in a friendly tone, revealing the prices and even gossiping about the latest market trends. Arielle nodded, smiling as she jotted down notes. She moved from stall to stall, asking each seller about their goods and prices, gathering information like a professional.

Aiore followed her silently, observing her interactions from a distance. He hadn't expected this from her. The woman he thought was just a spoiled, clumsy noble girl who only knew about dresses and jewelry was here, negotiating with merchants like she had been doing it for years.

For the first time, he found himself questioning the image he had built of her in his mind. "Who is this woman?" he murmured to himself, watching as she laughed with the fish seller and handled the situation with ease.

After a while, they found themselves by the town's small fountain. Arielle wiped her brow, smiling triumphantly. "See? Not too difficult," she said, waving her notes in front of Aiore.

He stared at her for a moment, his mind racing. She wasn't at all what he had expected. His icy exterior melted, just a fraction. "Who are you?" he asked, the words slipping out before he could stop them.

Arielle blinked, surprised by his question. "What do you mean?"

Aiore shook his head slightly, unsure how to express what he was feeling. His confusion was masked by his usual calm, but for once, he didn't know how to process what he had just witnessed. The woman standing before him was far more than he had imagined, and it disturbed him.

Arielle tilted her head slightly, smiling at him with a glimmer of amusement. "I'm Arielle, your fiancée. Who else could I be?"

Aiore didn't respond, his thoughts still whirling. He had underestimated her, and that realization left him feeling unsettled. Without saying anything further, he turned away, leading them back to the market. But this time, he couldn't stop himself from glancing back at her, wondering who this girl really was.