Chapter 3

Arabelle walked next to Victor through the lush garden, red and white blooming in bright greens.

The bright day laid a sharp contrast to the atmosphere surrounding the two.

Arabelle looked at Victor who was facing forward. He was handsome, she had to admit. He was like an eagle, strong and sharp. But he was the villain, what if his attitude wasn't pleasant? Or he was mad or crazy? She couldn't really remember, she only remembered that he was the villain and he disliked her.

She knew Arabelle and Victor had been married early and were a married couple in the novel. She also knew that the villain liked the heroine and was actually friends with the hero before something happened. But that was the extent of her memories.

She didn't really have much of an option either, she's either going to get married to Victor or someone else. She could run away, but she wanted it to be a last resort of sorts. It had taken her so much time to make herself an alias, she didn't want to go through it all again.

Besides, it wasn't bad to look for other possibilities.

She wondered when he would talk to her. She's been looking at him for a while now. Should she start the conversation? She didn't really want to.

She stared at Victor a little bit more before Victor finally sighed and turned to her," Why are you staring at me?" he asked.

These were the first words she heard Victor utter to her.

The thought made her smile," I was wondering whether you disliked me."

Victor seemed taken aback by her words," I do not dislike you..."

"Arabelle."

"...Miss Arabelle."

"It didn't seem that way to me."

"I'm sorry if I offended the lady," Victor replied courteously.

"You didn't," Arabelle said, twisting her parasol," But do tell me what you think of me, what is your first impression?"

" My first impression of you?"

"Yes."

Victor slowed down, pondering his words," My lady, why do you ask me this question?"

"There is no particular reason," Arabelle replied breezily," I would like to know how I come off to others. After all, if this doesn't go well, there will be other times."

Victor looked at her quietly," Do you think today didn't go well?"

"Yes."

"But it is an agreement between both our families."

Arabelle looked at Victor," Maybe, but my father would not plant a seed that seems unlikely to grow."

Victor turned quiet, pondering on her words," Would you tell me why?"

"Do I need to?"

Victor suddenly laughed, it was a nice laugh, low and melodious.

"I see, you certainly need not."

As they walked under a rose archway Victor turned to Arabelle," Do you want to get married?"

"No," Arabelle replied smoothly.

"So your just going to let your father have his way?" Victor asked leisurely.

Arabelle looked at Victor calmly," What do you think?"

"I'm not sure, after all, I just met the lady today," Victor said.

"Hmm, well I never said I will, now did I?" Arabelle returned calmly, brushing the blood-red roses with a dainty white finger.

Victor nodded, suddenly more relaxed," Is there someone?"

"No."

"Then?"

"Do you have someone?" Arabelle countered.

"...No."

"How suspicious," Arabelle said stepping away from him and opening her fan.

"I really mean it," Victor said his tone somewhat helpless.

"Hmmm, if you say so."

"I'm being utterly honest my lady."

Arabelle didn't reply and kept walking, as Victor followed, flustered.

"I really don't," Victor stressed again, seeing Arabelle not replying, he stuttered" I swear on my honor."

Arabelle peaked at him from the fan," ... I never said I thought otherwise."

Victor slumped.

Arabelle suddenly laughed, turning away from Victor and covering her mouth with her fan.

She was laughing for a good few seconds before Victor grabbed her hand and turned her around," You cause me great distress," he sighed but there was a small smile at the corner of his lips. He quickly snatched her fan and held it behind his back," Please stop teasing me."

"I couldn't help it." Arabelle said giggling," You wouldn't even look at me, nor would you strike a conversation."

Arabelle reached for her fan, but Victor held it above her head.

"Give it back please, taking a lady's fan is quite rude," Arabelle said calming down.

"I seem to be very upset," Victor said sadly, but his lips arched the wrong way," I have forgotten how to be a gentleman."

Victor feigned distraught," Maybe it's because the lady has made me worry, I require compensation."

Arabelle sighed, this was going to be a long walk.