Chapter 4

Arabelle walked besides Victor who still had her fan in his hands.

She was perplexed, she had thought the villain was at least a gentleman, not because of the story, after all, she couldn't remember most of it, but the rumors that were circulated in the public. They had portrayed young Victor being quite the polite and well mannered aristocrat.

Looking at the very person in question right next to her, she couldn't help but disagree. In fact, he seemed quite proud of himself!

The disparity from expectation and reality was too wide.

Non the less, Arabelle knew she was going to marry Victor, the earlier talk was just to see his reaction, and maybe a bit of a spontaneous reaction. She knew that her father had already sold her off and there as no turning back. It would be best to get on Victor good terms. At least be on the same page.

Arabelle suddenly wondered whether Victor was looking forward to getting married.

"Are you looking forward to getting married, your highness?" she asked not hiding her thoughts.

Victor looked at her," No, not really," he replied after some thought," but I'll have to get married one way or the other."

Arabelle sighed understandingly," Yes, that's true."

"Honestly," Victor said suddenly looking frustrated," I hate it."

Arabelle was a little surprised that he answered so truthfully, but it was something she understood and remained quiet.

"I don't hate you of course," Victor said thinking that she misunderstood," It's just, the situation is... undesirable."

Arabelle looked away," I understand, but it is inevitable. I'm sure our parents only held this meeting as a formality. Everything is already set up, we just need to follow through."

Victor nodded," It seems the lady is also quite aware," he looked at Arabelle with a polite smile," You must find it unfair."

"Usually I try to think of the positive or plan for the future to distract myself," Arabelle said not denying it.

Victor hummed, but then turned towards her playfully," And what has the honorable lady planned for her future?"

Arabelle squinted at the cheeky Victor," I plan to get married or at least engaged to a respectable person to my standards."

Victor frowned," And why is that?"

Arabelle plucked a rose from a nearby bush, careful to avoid the thorns," It would be nice to have an ally," she said after a while.

"You know," she said turning to him," someone who would be by my side, someone I could trust because we have the same interests, the same goals, or someone to work with to have a better life."

Victor looked at her telling her to continue, Arabelle had never revealed her wish to others before and suddenly gained some confidence," We could work together to reach our goals, I would have someone to fall back to, wouldn't it be great?" Arabelle stressed," We don't have to love each other, but it would be nice to be able to depend on each other unconditionally."

Arabelle looked up at Victor and they stared at each other for a while before Arabelle turned away flustered," ....Don't leave me hanging!"

Victor laughed,"Leave you hanging?", a cheerful laugh that made him shine in the sun," My lady seems to be quite the romantic."

Arabelle sighed," Are you not, your highness?"

"I never said that."

"Then do you dislike me, your highness?"

"I already answered no."

"Then can we not try it out?"

"...."

Arabelle pouted," I see...." it seems like the villain isn't the type to open up.

Arabelle clutched the rose in her hands and distanced herself from Victor, "Well... it was nice meeting your highness, I guess....."

Victor looked at her for a while not making a move to go forward and they stayed in an awkward spot for a while.

Arabelle's ears were red from embarrassment and her face was pale from being rejected.

Rejected?

Well, this is a form of rejection she supposed.

"I... I think we should go now," she stuttered, turning away and heading towards the mansion.

But he never got the chance as Victor suddenly grabbed her hand.

"Wait," Victor said.

Arabelle hesitantly turned to him.

Victor took a long look at her face, Arabelle stared back at those red eyes. Victor's black hair was tinged a beautiful brown in the sunlight.

"I..... never said no," Victor drawled smirking patting the top of her head with her fan.

Arabelle turned a strawberry pink.

"Victor!!!!!!!!" she flushed in embarrassment.

"Not calling me your highness anymore?" Victor chuckled," I suppose, I'll let you call me that as you're my fiancé now."

"You... Your highness!!"

"We should be more familiar shouldn't we?" Victor said pulling Arabelle's hand towards his lips, before pasting a chaste kiss on it," After all, we'll be together for a long time starting now."

Arabelle pulled her hand and snatched her fan away, she huffed glaring at Victor as she hid her face behind the fan.

Victor smiled apologetically, "Forgive me, it was a bit much, but the lady had started it," he said looking earnest. Arabelle would have believed him were it not for his gleaming red eyes and devilish demeanor, he looked like he just had the time of his life.

Arabelle pouted, well, the villain was still a kid.... it's ok to be a little naughty...

"Please forgive me Arabelle."

Arabelle glared up at Victor. Damn! This villain was using her name for the first time on such an occasion.

"Well, as long as we're on the same page..."

"We are, I'll treat you really well, after all, you are to be my wife."

"I'll treat you well as well."

Victor nodded in what seemed to be satisfaction, there was a faint curve at the end of his lips, "Wife, we should get to know each other more," he said hooking her arm lovingly.

If Arabelle could turn redder, she did," I'm not your wife yet!" she said solemnly but didn't let go of his arm nonetheless.

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