𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞

16. A strange feeling

As the evening descended upon the castle, Arielle and Aldith stepped out of the art gallery, their laughter still lingering in the air from their earlier conversation. The moon cast a gentle glow on the path as they made their way toward the dining hall. However, before they could even reach the entrance, they were greeted by the teasing voice of Queen Ezra.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” the queen called out, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Is my dear Aldith trying to steal the heart of his brother’s fiancée?”

Arielle chuckled, shaking her head slightly, believing the queen was only joking. But Aldith’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson, betraying his embarrassment. The queen caught the color in his face and couldn’t suppress a smirk.

“Ah, young love,” she mused, her gaze playful. “Arielle, you must watch out for this one; he’s rather fond of you, I think.”

Arielle simply smiled at the queen's lighthearted banter, dismissing it as just a jest. After finished eating, she excused herself, leaving Aldith alone with the queen.

As Arielle walked away, the queen turned to Aldith with a sly smile. “Do you have feelings for her, Aldith?”

“No! She’s my brother’s fiancée,” Aldith protested quickly, his voice rising slightly in defense.

Queen Ezra merely chuckled, not pressing the matter further, as she observed her son’s flustered state with amusement.

---

The next day unfolded quietly. After completing her training session, Arielle found herself wandering the halls, searching for Aiore. A nagging sense of disappointment settled in her chest when she realized he was nowhere to be found.

Feeling bored and somewhat restless, she sought out Aldith instead. However, her search proved futile; Aldith seemed to have vanished as well. Finally, she decided to retreat to the library, hoping to immerse herself in a book and pass the time.

Hours slipped away as she read, the quiet of the library enveloping her. It was easy to lose track of time in such a serene setting, but soon enough, nightfall crept in, casting shadows across the room. Her concentration was abruptly shattered when the heavy doors creaked open, and she looked up to see a familiar figure stepping inside.

“Aiore!” Arielle exclaimed, her face lighting up with a wide smile. “I didn’t think I’d see you today!”

He glanced at her, holding a few papers in his hand. “I’m looking for more details about a specific plant,” he replied shortly, his voice as quiet as ever, yet surprisingly, there was a hint of engagement in his tone.

Arielle’s heart soared at the sound of his voice. “Is that so? Well, it’s quite late now; why don’t you come with me to the kitchen? Let's eat something first."

Aiore hesitated but then nodded, following her silently. As they reached the kitchen, Arielle set to work, preparing some congee and salad, the warm aromas filling the room. She turned to him, curiosity brimming in her eyes. “Have you had dinner these past few days? I haven’t seen you at the dining table.”

“Too busy to have dinner,” he replied with a curt nod, his gaze scanning her face for her reaction.

A frown crossed Arielle’s lips as she scolded him gently. “You need to take care of yourself. How can you expect to be a good ruler if you’re neglecting your health?”

Aiore scoffed, his expression momentarily shifting. “I even doubt me being the future king.” The words slipped out before he could stop them, and he immediately regretted it.

Arielle’s brows furrowed in concern. “Why would you say that?” she pressed, seeking a deeper understanding of his hidden struggles.

He fell silent, avoiding her gaze, as a weight settled in the air between them. Arielle, sensing the tension, placed a bowl of congee in front of him. “You should eat something,” she urged.

“I’m not hungry,” he muttered stubbornly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Undeterred, Arielle took a seat beside him, her demeanor shifting into one of nurturing warmth. “You need to eat. Just a little,” she coaxed, gently lifting the spoon towards his lips.

He hesitated, eyes flicking between the spoon and her encouraging smile. Finally, the familiar yet strange feeling surged within him—a mix of gratitude and something he couldn’t quite place. He opened his mouth, allowing her to feed him.

As the warm congee filled his mouth, Aiore felt an emotion swell in his chest, one he was becoming increasingly familiar with since Arielle had entered his life. It was a feeling of comfort and warmth, yet tinged with confusion.

Ever since she came to the castle, he had been battling these strange feelings. He didn’t know whether to be happy or sad about it. As she continued to feed him, he watched her—her eyes sparkling with concern, her brow slightly furrowed in concentration. He felt a pull towards her, something that both terrified and thrilled him.

Arielle noticed the change in his expression as he swallowed another spoonful. “See? It’s not so bad, is it?”

“No,” he admitted reluctantly, though a small part of him relished this moment. He found himself wanting to open up to her, to share the burdens he carried, but the words remained lodged in his throat.

As they sat there, the atmosphere gradually shifted from tense to comfortable. Arielle continued to coax him into eating, and with each bite, Aiore felt the heaviness in his heart ease slightly.

“Aiore, you know you can talk to me, right?” she ventured, her tone gentle yet firm. “If there’s something bothering you, I’m here to listen.”

He met her gaze, his heart pounding. “It’s complicated,” he murmured, feeling vulnerable.

“I understand. But you don’t have to face it alone,” Arielle reassured him, her sincerity shining through. “I want to help you, even if it’s just listening.”

Her words wrapped around him like a warm blanket, and for the first time in a long while, Aiore felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, he could share his burdens with her.

But for now, he simply nodded, unable to voice the storm of emotions swirling within him.

As Arielle continued to feed him, Aiore couldn’t help but wonder about the connection forming between them. Was it merely friendship, or was it something deeper? The more time he spent with her, the more confusing his feelings became.

Arielle’s gentle laughter, her warm smiles—they were all things he had never allowed himself to cherish. And now, as he sat there with her, he found himself caught in a web of emotions he didn’t know how to unravel.

The quiet prince, who had always built walls around his heart, was beginning to question if it was time to let someone in. But he was terrified of what that could mean.

Would it make him stronger or more vulnerable? Would it lead to happiness or heartbreak? As he gazed into her eyes, Aiore realized he had a choice to make.

---

That night, as they finished dinner, Arielle felt a sense of contentment. She had managed to break through some of Aiore’s barriers, even if just a little. Yet, a lingering worry remained in her mind—what truly lay behind his guarded exterior?

“Promise me you’ll take care of yourself, Aiore,” she urged, her voice softening. “I can’t bear to see you neglect your health.”

He nodded, though his heart felt heavy with uncertainty.

As they left the kitchen, Arielle felt a spark of hope. Maybe, with time, she could help him open up and let her in.

And for Aiore, as he walked beside her, the strange feelings blossoming within him felt a little less daunting. With each step they took together, he knew one thing for sure: Arielle had changed his life in ways he couldn’t yet understand.

It was strange.

Strangely good.