Chapter 15
Arabella suddenly jumped to her feet from the embroidery stool. “What’s he here for?”
Clarissa shook her head, her gaze landing on Tristan.
She had recognized him earlier outside as the same gentleman she had encountered on the street a few days ago, so she wasn’t particularly surprised.
But she thought. The lady meeting with a man in private isn’t ideal. If Charles found out, who knew what kind of trouble it could cause?
Arabella realized this too. If she asked him to leave now, they’d run into Charles head–on.
Although both of them were innocent, it was better to avoid complications.
Charles was the heir to the Duke of Eldenhurst. If he decided to make thingy difficult for Lord Swan, The Swan & Scepter would certainly be affected. She couldn’t let him get involved in her problems.
“Sir, please hide behind the screen for now. My husband is here, she spoke quickly, urgently, and the corners of her eyes had a faint
redness to them.
Tristan felt an unexpected impulse to pull her into his arms and admire her delicate beauty.
He thought. As for Charles–what does it matter if he walks in? Even if he did, wouldn’t he still have to bow when he saw me?
But when Arabella saw him sitting still like a statue, unblinking, and heard the footsteps approaching, her anxiety only grew.
Without thinking about propriety, she walked briskly over to him, grabbed his arm, and pulled him to his feet, pushing him toward the screen. “Please, just stay here for a moment.“.
Tristan raised an eyebrow.
Her flustered, hurried actions gave him the strange impression that she was hiding a lover. The thought made him laugh.
Here he was, the king, ruler of all under heaven, shoved into this tiny space, looking like he was caught in the act of a secret affair. He thought. Only she would dare to treat me like this
And yet, Arabella wasn’t the least bit afraid. She warned him seriously, “Hide well, and don’t make a sound”
Arabella pushed the screen into the corner, pressing it tightly against the wall
Now Tristan was practically glued to the wall, unable to even lift his arms.
Tristan was speechless.
Arabella quickly adjusted her clothes and hair. Just as she sat back down on the stool, the door to the room was pushed open, and Charles walked in.
When he saw Arabella calmly drinking coffee at the table, his face immediately darkened
“Arabella, is this how a wife behaves? Your mother is sick, and instead of taking care of her, you’re sitting here drinking coffee?”
She thought, Seraphina has fallen ill? That makes sense. Given how I have restricted spending, it is no surprise the old woman is unwell.
“First of all, you’re trying to make me a concubine, so what kind of ‘wife‘ am I to you? Second, if I don’t go out and earn money, what will your entire family live on
Charles was taken aback and, after a long pause, managed to say, “Aren’t you still Mrs. Farrow?”
Arabella burst out laughing, as if she had heard the funniest thing. His tone made it seem like the situation of raising a concubine to the status of a wife hadn’t even happened. Does he have no shumer
“The only reason I still hold this title is because of the king and empress dowager’s support. If it weren’t for them backing me, your concubine would have already climbed on top of me”
Charles was left speechless, unable to respond. As he breathed heavily, he caught a faint scent in the air. Whale’s Lament? he thought.
Is there someone hiding in here?” he asked.
s widened in shock, and in her panic, she dropped the cup she was holding, shattering it on the floor.
Arabella’s eyes 1
“Why does Mr. Farrow pick up the worst habits, acting like one of those mad dogs on the street?”
Charles was caught off guard, blurting out, “What do you mean by that?”:
Arabella gave him a cold smile. “Biting anything in sight.”
After speaking, Arabella instinctively clenched her fists. How does this scoundrel know someone is hiding in the room? Have I given something away! She was certain she hadn’t left any traces behind.
The problem was that Arabella had little experience with the royal family and wasn’t sensitive to the scent of Whale’s Lament.
Charles, however, had visited the palace countless times. The smell of that scent filled both the Imperial Study and Royal Palace–he couldn’t have missed it…
“Arabella, don’t push your luck, Charles said sharply, his attention entirely focused on Arabella, which caused him to overlook the lingering scent.
Of course, the main reason was that the scent was only used in the Palace, and he subconsciously believed the king wouldn’t be here. He thought he had simply misjudged the smell.
Arabella realized he wasn’t obsessing over whether someone was hiding anymore, and she quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Quickly, she shifted the conversation. “What brings you here today?”
Charles gradually calmed down. He needed something from her and didn’t want to make a scene.
“I went to the manor to collect some money, but the steward said that anything over 15 dollars needs your approval. So, I came to see you.”
So it is about money Arabella sneered inwardly, but her expression remained neutral.
Charles went on, “We’re
We’re family, so why are you being so strict with the finances? Just take back the order and don’t let the concubines and my brothers make a joke of us.
Take back the order?‘ Arabella almost laughed out loud. He can just talk, but I am the one who has to hand over the money. Does he think I am an idiot! After treating me so poorly, what makes him think I will be willing to give him any money?
“The Duke’s estate only makes about 3 thousand dollars in profit each year. If we don’t spend wisely, we’ll all be eating dirt by the second half of the year,” she said.
Charles frowned and asked, “What about your wedding gift? Why don’t you use that for now!
Arabella’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Are your colleagues really living off their wives wedding gifts to support their households?”
Charles’s face turned a sickly shade of green and purple “Arabella, don’t cause trouble. You’ve been doing this for the past three years, haven’t you?”
She thought. So they have taken my financial contributions for granted all along!’
Arabella’s anger boiled over, and she let out a mocking laugh. “If you think I’m being unreasonable, feel free to write up a divorce agreement. We can part ways right now.”
The moment she mentioned divorce, Tristan, hidden behind the screen, believed for the first time that she was serious about leaving the Duke’s estate
A soft smile spread across his face. If that was her intention, it would be easy to help her. He’d do everything in his power to make it happen.
Charles’s face darkened even further as she mentioned divorce again. “You’re dreaming. As long as I’m alive, you’ll never leave the
Duke’s estate.
His response was exactly what Arabella had expected. That was why she had sent Henry to gather dirt on him. In the end, it was wedding gift that kept her tied down. But without it, the Farrow family would have devoured her long ago.
“Fine, no divorce. But don’t pressure me into using my wedding gift to support the household, or I’ll make sure all of Althoria knows
୦
your true colors.”
Charles was seething, veins bulging on his forehead.
He took several deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down before grinding out. If you’re not going to support the household, at least support me. I need 10 thousand dollars to bribe officials. Give it to me first
“10 thousand dollars? Arabella thought to herself. This scoundrel has no shame. What right does he have to demand money from me? Is he using me to escape the clutches of Beatrice? Or is he involved with another woman?
“I know the owner of Lucky Bank. If you’re short on cash, I can introduce you to him for a loan.”
Charles, who had been holding back his temper, finally snapped. He stormed forward, grabbed Arabella’s arm, and yanked her to her
feet.
