Arielle took off her coat and gave it to Tania, who started shivering on the carriage chair. Arielle didn’t care about her own cold body as long as her maidservant was safe and warm. Every now and then, she rubbed her palms together for warmth.
Even though the car windows were tightly closed, cold air still entered through the small gaps. Every now and then, when her body couldn’t stand the cold, she blew warm steam from her mouth.
In her sleep, Tania groaned which made Arielle more awake. She looked at her coat which had fallen off from her servant’s shoulders. Arielle again adjusted her coat to cover Tania’s entire body without leaving an opening.
The carriage stopped right in front of the Blackthorn palace and King Ronan finally dismounted from his horse. He ordered William to return the horse and he quickly walked towards the carriage where Arielle rode with her maid.
His eyes twitched when he heard Arielle’s small sneeze from inside the carriage. His lips subconsciously parted when he saw Arielle, who was hugging her cold body without wearing a coat. Arielle’s coat had shifted to the body of her personal maid.
"What are you waiting for? Bring the Princess’ maidservant to her room!" Ronan ordered loudly.
After Tania was taken away, the man opened the car door widely. Arielle was already very weak from the cold. The girl couldn’t even move to get off the carriage. Ronan took the initiative to take off his coat and then wrapped it around Princess Arielle’s body tightly.
He put his hands on the curves of her knees as well as Arielle’s waist. Ronan easily carried Arielle out of the carriage.
Arielle was already very helpless. She ground her teeth hard, unable to utter a word.
Ronan huffed in annoyance. He was annoyed with Arielle’s actions. She did not even think about her own body condition? What was so special about a personal maid?
Even if William froze to death, Ronan would have not given up the warmth of his coat for his personal bodyguard despite the man being someone who had accompanied him for a dozen years.
Arielle, who was cold, unconsciously tried to find more warmth by wrapping her arms around Ronan’s neck. Her face, which felt frozen, slowly began to heat up when the skin on her face touched the skin of the man’s neck. Arielle sighed in relief as her body felt warm again.
Lucas, who was in charge of Princess Arielle, had made sure that the princess’ room was warmed up. After King Ronan entered Princess Arielle’s room, Lucas asked permission to leave and closed the door behind him.
He turned his head for a moment, making sure King Ronan didn’t need him anymore. After there was no call, Lucas immediately followed Princess Arielle’s maid to make sure the woman wasn’t hypothermic.
Ronan put Arielle down so slowly. After laying the girl on the bed, he put his palm on Arielle’s forehead to make sure Arielle’s body temperature returned to normal. He saw that the princess was still wearing the same dress as this afternoon. When touched, even the dress felt very cold.
Unintentionally his eyes were drawn to Arielle’s exposed collarbone. He immediately lifted the blanket to cover the girl’s entire body.
Ronan walked towards the bedroom door. William was still faithfully standing in front of the room with the five maids, who bowed their heads.
"Immediately change Princess Arielle’s clothes," Ronan ordered the five maids.
Ronan left Blackthorn palace, followed by William. A bath filled with warm water was waiting for him. After a soak relaxed his muscles, Ronan immediately changed into new clothes. He was only wearing a white shirt and got ready for bed.
His head was filled with questions about Arielle’s current condition. Annoyed at himself, he called for William.
"Is there anything I can help you with, Your Majesty?"
"Tell Lucas to keep watch at Blackthorn Palace and report to me about Princess Arielle’s condition periodically."
William ended up still standing dumbfounded in his place when Ronan closed the door to his room. The man lowered his head briefly in salute before he turned to carry out orders.
William, who had only walked a few steps, was taken aback when the door to the King’s room suddenly opened again. "What is it, Your Majesty?"
"Forget my order earlier. I’ll be there myself."
"Pardon?" asked William, still confused.
"Bring me the file I need to see."
"Huh?"
William was left alone. The man still hadn’t moved from his spot. He was too confused by his king’s attitude today. The man was always gloomy, intimidating, and cold but was now worried about a girl?
He squinted and tried to compare the attitude of his king today and yesterday. He had known the man for a long time, but in his entire life, this was the first time he had seen his King worried.
"Very strange," William muttered. Even so, he still carried out the orders of the King.