Life Becomes Duke's Beloved
Arabella

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Abela is flabbergasted when Orlando and Bastian leave her alone by the side of the road. Orlando shouted about 'coming home with dad', with a cheerful face. Leaving two adults in a bad mood together.

"So? Are we gonna ride a horse?" abela asked Armand, who still did not want to talk to her. Armand only glanced at Abela at a glance.

"Did I have the Duke of Estonia take me? I think he's still inside." Abela said that on purpose to challenge Armand.

"You .... " Armand would have already avenged Abela's challenge had he not seen Calix already being near them. "Aren't you hungry?" finally that question was what Armand said.

Abela fell silent again, she glanced at Calix and somehow understood, why Armand suddenly tried to sound friendly.

"I'm hungry" Abela replied smiling awkwardly until her cheeks hurt.

"I think there's a restaurant around here." Armand stretched out his hand to hold Abela whom Abela greeted quickly.

"I ... Want to eat something different than usual." Abela replied not looking at Armand's face.

"What's different than usual?" Armand repeated Abela's question.

"You mind if we go around town for a second?" abela asked with a fake smile.

"No." Armand answered briefly before walking.

Abela looked around the corner of the city which was getting more and more crowded in the afternoon. His eyes were fixed on the fountain in the middle of a beautiful city. Around the fountain, many people gathered cheerfully.

"The fountain was awakened when you left this world" Armand said, breaking Abela's daydream.

"What does that mean?" Abela glared at Armand.

"They were so happy when I killed that witch."

Abela laughed softly hearing Armand's slender tone. He stared at the fountain for quite a while, "I am also happy to leave this world. Thanks to you."

"Arabela," Armand called out his real name again. Armand's voice was very slow as it fused with the wind.

"Yes" Abela replied a little hoarsely. There was a strange thing stuck in his throat.

"You still want to die?" armand asked without looking at his interlocutor.

"That's the only thing I want the most." Abela answered without hesitation.

Armand did not respond to Abela's words earlier. He just walked in silence with his face bent. What was he trying to say? What's the matter if Arabela wants to die.

Armand's steps were restrained as Abela suddenly stopped walking. His eyes stared at the grilled meat sold by the roadside.

"You want that?" ask Armand doubtfully.

"Can?" abela asked to convince her hearing.

"I don't think it's poisonous" replied Armand.

"Why is it poisonous?" tanga Abela raised her eyebrows.

"I just don't want you to die in front of me." The corner of Armand's lips lifted as he said that.

"Wow ... You're so cruel" Abela replied with an annoyed face.

"At least, not in front of me" Armand said again.

"I understand ..." replied Abela Iirih.

Armand tried to ignore Abela's soft-sounding voice. He walked straight towards the food vendor Abela pointed at.

Abela followed Armand from behind and started eating. It was a little surprising because the food tasted good.

"It's delicious" Abela said with bulging cheeks.

"You like it?" armand asked, trying the food as well. "You're right it's delicious. I think Bastian liked it a lot first."

"Bastian?"

Suddenly Abela remembered Rewelin. How it feels to be a wife who finds her husband suddenly coming home with another daughter. I don't know why Abela was so upset. Abela narrowed her eyes as she looked at Armand.

"What do you want to say?" asked Armand who was uncomfortable with Abela's gaze.

"Nothing" Abela replied without changing her facial expression.

"All right, whatever." Armand let out a short breath.

"I'm just curious but I don't want to ask" Abela replied.

"That's more ambiguous than the answer no one gave you just now." Armand glanced a little.

"Are we going to stand here? My legs are tired" said Abela, inexplicably red.

"We can find a restaurant if you want" Armand said. Wherever he looked, Armand found no seat to sit on.

"Just sit there" pointed Abela to a large tree near the fountain. Armand frowned slightly looking at the place Abela pointed to.

"Are you afraid to sit on the ground?" Abela scoffed at him a little.

Armand shook his head in return. He followed Abela's slow pace. His eyes narrowed at the foot of Abela who looked injured due to her own shoes.

Abela casually secured her seat under the tree, followed by Armand. The afternoon breeze feels cooler, even though it will be summer.

"I've always loved crowds" Abela murmured suddenly.

Armand turned to look at Abela staring at the children running around with radiant faces and sparkling eyes. The two corners of her lips were attracted, making a beautiful arch on her thin lips. His golden-colored hair flew away in the wind.

"Then, why are you always alone in there? In that castle." Armand subconsciously asked.

"I, my late husband and the first king of this land, built this country together. The king we chose was your ancestor. Because he's the least greedy but brave man." Abela stared blankly at the crowded street in front of her.

"I've also been a hero, Armand. But the longer it takes, the emptier it feels. Especially since ...all the valuable people are gone."

"Why did you choose to be immortal?" Armand asked again.

"Of course, the answer is because I'm greedy." Abela chuckled small.

"Grad ... That person ... Similar to your late husband, right? Is that what makes you always look at it with sparkling eyes?" Armand didn't want to tell me that actually. But somehow his mouth precedes his mind.

"I? Glowing eyes?" Abela raised her eyebrows.

"But I think you're right. I don't know why I feel proud of him. He is, after all, the grandson of my grandson, my grandson." Abela raised her index finger.

Armand laughed at Abela's reply and gesture. The laughter that Abela finally saw again after a long time the laughter was gone. No, Abela didn't miss that laugh. It was just that he felt little, little, very little, loss.

Abela closed her eyes hearing Armand's slow laughter. Breeze through the wind, gently caressing her cheeks again.

"Arabela is my real name. Which I left behind centuries ago. A name that was considered a god because of the kindness he once did." Abela tells herself like she's telling someone else. Make Armand feel dejavu.

"Thus ... That's habit? Telling about yourself is like telling others?" ask Armand quietly.

"I think you're right, Armand. I didn't realize it ...." Abela closed her eyes, feeling the wind again.

"Thus ... Why did you choose to troublemaker?" Armand asked again after a long time staring at Abela's face.

"To meet people like you ... Who did not give up against me. And give me what is my greatest desire ...."

"Dead?" Armand asked in a cold and flat tone.

"Yes Armand. Die," Abela replied without burden.

Armand was speechless looking at Abela's face, the woman hiding her sparkling blue eyes. Her hair was spread in the wind. Armand swallowed his saliva. Something stuck in his throat. It feels like being choked out loud.

His hands spontaneously extended to catch that pinch of golden hair and put it behind the ears of the owner. Made Abela open her eyes, looking at Armand in silence. Amidst the blowing summer breeze, and the bustle of the increasingly deserted city. Their eyes did not let go of each other.

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