Chapter 88
Chapter 88
Giving up on deciphering Isaac’s motives, Arietta turned her scorn on Benjamin. That imbecile. What does he think he’s doing? He overestimates himself so much. Forgetting her thirst, she bit her lip. What if he actually dies? He promised to take me to the sky city! Panic began to set in when a loud engine roared from outside.
“Ah, he’s back.”
The investigators rose as one, their attention drawn outside. Swept along by the crowd, Arietta joined them at the entrance. They buzzed with anticipation, expecting Benjamin to return with some crucial discovery. But the scene that unfolded was far from what they expected.
A sleek car pulled up, its tires leaving tracks in the black soil. Arieta froze, her heart pounding. Two figures emerged. One was Benjamin Lenota, the young marquis who had ventured into the forest. The other… was Isaac.
Silence fell. Isaac surveyed the scene, his arm resting casually on Benjamin’s shoulder.
“Picked up a stray in the forest,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “My apologies if Gamon told him not to go in there. Though, I doubt he did.” General Soluten paled.
“Now, General, don’t look so stricken. I’m sure you assumed it was the young viscount’s impulsive act. Curiosity and all that.”
Isaac’s laughter was short and sharp. His gaze deliberately avoided Arietta, while hers remained fixed on him. Humiliated, Benjamin kept his head down, his gaze falling on the assembled crowd. Seeing Arietta among them, witnessing his disgrace, filled him with despair.
“In any case, the boy needs a lesson about wandering into dangerous places. There’s a reason those warnings exist.”
Isaac gave Benjamin a measured shove, sending him stumbling forward. Arietta’s eyes flickered to Benjamin. In that fleeting moment, Isaac’s gaze met hers.
“Now, members of the Remains Investigation Team, I’d appreciate it if you’d refrain from suspecting me of hiding things. I’ll overlook it this once, given the young viscount’s… independent action.” His unspoken message was clear: don’t question, don’t argue, just obey. Benjamin knew it was unfair, but he had no right to complain. He’d brought this upon himself. The investigators filed back inside, ignoring him.
“We’ll need to have a word later, Viscount Lenota,” General Soluten said, turning away. But Arietta remained rooted to the spot, breathless. Isaac stood before her. She couldn’t decipher the emotions swirling within her: relief, fear, or a thrill she couldn’t name.
A sudden realization struck her. Benjamin’s constant attention had been nothing but tedious. But facing Isaac, her heart pounded like a drum, the vibrations echoing through her entire being.
“Viscount Lenota,” Isaac said, his eyes locked on Arietta. “Let me be clear. I could have left you to your fate. And don’t misunderstand, I’m not looking for gratitude.”
Their gazes, gray meeting gold, clashed in the air. “In fact, I should be thanking you. You’ve taken such good care of what’s mine…” Arietta’s chest swelled with a sudden intake of breath. Isaac saw it. His hand clenched, his nails digging into his palm.
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