"Did Northendell treat you badly? They didn’t hurt you, did they, Your Highness?"
Arielle shook her head slowly. She smiled to dispel Tania’s worries. Naturally, Tania was worried about her condition. She went north as a prisoner. At Nieverdell, every prisoner was treated horribly. So that Arielle and Tania already had expectations that their lives in Northendell as prisoners would also suffer.
"I’m fine, Tania... Northendell treats me really well...." Arielle said and calmed her maid.
Tania watched Arielle from top to bottom. Her master clearly looked fine even though her lips were trembling slightly from crying. It was also probably because of the cold air that entered the room through some small gaps in the walls of the room.
Tania touched the two coats that looked different.
"Ah, this belongs to King Ronan. He lent it because it was so cold outside."
"Ki-King Ronan lent me his coat?" asked Tania in disbelief. Arielle answered with a small nod.
Before Tania could ask further, Arielle held her hand tightly. "Tania... What actually happened to you?" The girl’s voice was really low, making Tania feel guilty for making Princess Arielle this worried.
The woman touched her head which had been bandaged. Her body trembled again with extreme fear.
"After Her Highness fell, I tried to jump in to help Princess Arielle. However..." her voice trailed off and her trembling hands touched her neck "A rope was wrapped around my neck so tightly. I was dragged quite far. It felt like I almost died at that time..."
Arielle held her breath hearing Tania’s story. However, she tried not to show her concern. "Then what happened? You survived, right?"
Tania gulped before she continued her explanation. "Suddenly, a pack of wolves surrounded us and charged at the bandits. Seeing the bandits busy fighting the wolves, I ran away. I ran as fast as I could. However, I fell in the same place where Your Highness fell, but I didn’t find Your Highness there..."
Tania started to cry, remembering how frantically she was looking for Arielle’s whereabouts. "I really felt desperate when I couldn’t find Your Highness anywhere... That night it snowed so heavily. I rested in a nearby cave that I accidentally stumbled upon during the blizzard."
She added. "I couldn’t go out for two days, and when the snow stopped falling, I went back to looking for Your Highness everywhere. I don’t know my way around Northendell. I just followed my instincts and ended up in this city... Last I remember, I fainted in the town square after walking around asking about Her Highness’s whereabouts...."
"Oh, Tania..." Arielle hugged Tania. Her maidservant was still crying.
"But I’m very grateful... I was still allowed to meet Your Highness again," said Tania in a trembling voice.
Arielle wiped her own tears. She didn’t reply. What Tania has been through was an exceptional horror. Those who have always lived peacefully in Nieverdellwere suddenly confronted by a terrifying event. Arielle was worried that the incident would traumatize Tania.
There was a knock on the bedroom door, and this time Lucas appeared to greet Arielle.
"Sorry to interrupt your time, Your Highness. However, the carriage has arrived, it is time for Your Highness to return to the palace."
"Will Tania come with me?"
"Of course, Your Majesty," Lucas replied politely.
Two men who were soldiers from Northendell helped Tania up. Arielle helped put on Tania’s coat which was torn in several places.
"Please escort her with care," Arielle ordered nervously. She was only worried because Tania’s condition was still very weak.
Ronan was already waiting in front of the inn. He was talking with William about the work that awaited him at the palace. A few moments later, Lucas came out of the inn, followed by two soldiers who were helping Tania walk towards the horse carriage.
Ronan raised his hand and signaled William to stop talking. The king then left the Knight who let out a long sigh. Ronan approached Arielle, who followed behind Tania.
"Is everything fine?" Ronan asked Arielle.
The girl bit her thumb as she watched the two soldiers who helped Tania into the carriage.
"Y-yes." Arielle answered. Her eyes never left her maidservant. still
Ronan clenched his jaw, feeling ignored.
Arielle was only able to breathe a sigh of relief when Tania finally reclined in the carriage seat.
Ronan raised a brow at the princess’ actions s. He was waiting for Arielle to give him some attention.
"Oh, right..." Arielle remembered something. This time Arielle took off Ronan’s coat. Fearing that the man would take it off again and put it back on her body, Arielle took the initiative to place it herself across the man’s shoulders.
"Thank you for lending me your coat, Your Majesty. But this time you have to really wear it. I don’t want His Majesty to fall ill because of me..."
Ronan noticed the two brows of the girl in front of him were furrowed. He looked down at his coat that was now draped on his body. His eyes watched sharply, as Arielle fixed and tied the part of his coat in front of his chest.
"This way, Your Majesty will not be cold."
Ronan pulled one corner of his lips and felt amused at the girl’s actions. He offered his hand to help Arielle get in the carriage. Arielle accepted it.
"Thank you," Arielle said as she managed to get on the carriage with ease. Their hands gripped each other tightly until Arielle let go first. After Lucas closed the carriage door, Ronan turned towards his horse.
William and Lucas watched the two closely. After Ronan pulled his horse’s reins, the two of them got on their own, and the group returned to Northendell’s palace.