𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 (𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐝)

11. A carefree bird

After the task of collecting the data was over, the sun was beginning to lower in the sky. Aiore and Arielle found themselves standing at the edge of the busy marketplace, the hum of the village alive around them. Arielle stretched her arms, feeling a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. For once, she didn't feel like a burden or a clumsy noble stuck in someone else's world. She had done well today, even if it was just simple data collection.

Aiore, standing beside her, turned his head slightly. "Do you want a drink?"

Arielle blinked, surprised by the question. She wasn't expecting him to care about her preferences, especially after the cold way he had treated her up until now. She glanced at him, noticing the way his gaze was softer, not as distant as usual. For a moment, she didn't know what to say, caught off guard by the fact that he had asked her opinion.

"I'll just have whatever you're having," she said with a casual shrug, trying to hide the bit of surprise and hope creeping into her heart. It wasn't that she was desperate for him to fall for her, but this small display of consideration was progress, right?

Aiore, however, shook his head. "No," he said quietly, as if making a decision. "Instead of drinking, we should just have lunch. It's quite late already."

Arielle smiled at that. "I'd love that."

As they wandered through the bustling village, the two of them were able to blend into the crowd like any ordinary couple. For the first time since Arielle, or rather Su Mi, had arrived in this world, she felt... free. There were no prying eyes from the palace servants, no strict tutors watching her every step, and no endless rules dictating what was proper and improper. Here, in the village, they were just two people, not a prince and his future queen.

When they arrived at a small tavern that had outdoor seating, Aiore gestured for them to sit at a table under the shade of a tree. It was a quaint place, but its simplicity felt warm and welcoming, far from the cold grandeur of the palace. The lively chatter of villagers surrounded them as they took their seats, and the scent of freshly cooked food filled the air.

The food arrived quickly-simple dishes of bread, rice, stew, curry, and some fruits-and as soon as it was placed before them, Arielle's eyes lit up. She hadn't realized how hungry she was. Being on her feet and working all day had taken its toll on her, and now, with the tempting smell of food, she couldn't wait to dig in.

"This looks amazing," she said with genuine excitement, picking up her spoon.

Aiore, however, hadn't touched his food yet. He was watching her, his expression unreadable. "You seem happier here," he commented after a long moment.

Arielle paused, mid-bite, and glanced up at him. "Well, yeah," she admitted, a bit surprised by the observation. "I mean, for once, no one's watching every move I make. I don't feel like I'm being judged or controlled." She looked around the village, taking in the carefree atmosphere. "Here, no one knows I'm engaged to a prince or expects me to act a certain way. I can just be... me."

Aiore continued to watch her, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. He remained silent as she spoke, but Arielle could tell her words were sinking in. She placed her spoon down, pushing her food around absentmindedly.

"You know," she started, her tone thoughtful, "I kind of feel like a bird stuck in a golden cage. Sure, it's pretty, and there's comfort there, but... it's still a cage. It's stifling. It would be nice to fly, to feel free, even just for a little while."

Aiore raised an eyebrow at her words. "You'd give up all your luxuries? The clothes, the jewels, the status?"

Arielle rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. You think I care about that stuff? I couldn't care less about expensive dresses or the latest fashion. Living simply, without all those rules and expectations... that sounds so much better. Besides," she added with a smirk, "I think I look better in commoner clothes anyway." Then she let out a soft sigh, "Sure, we have duties and responsibilities to fulfill but still..."

Aiore actually looked a bit taken aback by her words. He hadn't expected her to say such things. He had thought she was just another spoiled noblewoman, concerned only with material things and her social standing. But now, seeing her in this light, he realized how wrong he might have been about her.

Something stirred in him-a feeling he couldn't quite put a name to. It wasn't affection, not yet. No, it was more like... curiosity. Who was this woman sitting across from him, who spoke so freely about wanting to escape the life most noblewomen would kill for?

"I see," was all he said.

Arielle glanced at him, noticing that he still hadn't touched his food. "Why aren't you eating?" she asked, her brow furrowed in concern.

Aiore shrugged, looking down at the untouched plate before him. "Doesn't feel like eating," he said simply.

Arielle frowned. He hadn't eaten much all day, and now, even with food right in front of him, he seemed uninterested. She could sense that something was bothering him, but of course, being Aiore, he wasn't about to open up and talk about his feelings.

"Well, that won't do," she said, taking charge. Without thinking, she picked up a piece of bread from her plate, tore off a bit, soaked it in the curry and held it out to him. "Here, eat this."

Aiore blinked at her, clearly not expecting to be fed like a child. He opened his mouth to protest, but Arielle just smiled at him. "Don't argue. You need to eat something."

With a sigh, Aiore ate the bread from her hand. For some strange reason, even though he didn't want to admit it, he didn't mind being fed by her and the food tasted more delicious when she fed him. It was... comforting, in a way. But he would never say that out loud.

Arielle continued to feed him bits and pieces of food, and as she did, she began telling him a silly story to keep the mood light. It was a simple story, one she had learned from her childhood in her original world, about a mischievous squirrel who stole a king's crown and caused all sorts of trouble in the forest. The story was meant for children, but somehow, it felt right in this moment.

As she spoke, Aiore found himself relaxing, his usually guarded expression softening a little. There was something about her voice, the way she spoke to him as if they were just two normal people, that made him forget, even if only for a moment, that he was a prince with endless responsibilities.

He watched her as she talked, and for the first time in a long time, he felt... content.

When Arielle finished the story, she smiled at him, proud of herself for keeping the mood light. "See? Isn't it nice to just relax and enjoy the moment?"

Aiore didn't answer right away. Instead, he stared at her for a long moment, his gaze intense and thoughtful. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and filled with something Arielle couldn't quite place.

"Who are you?"

The question caught her off guard, and for a moment, she didn't know how to respond. It wasn't just the words themselves, but the way he said them-as if he was seeing her for the first time. As if she were someone entirely different from the person he thought she was.

"I'm... me," she said softly, unsure of what else to say.

Aiore continued to watch her, his expression unreadable. For the first time since they had met, he realized that maybe, just maybe, there was more to this woman than he had initially thought.

And for the first time, he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.