Chapter 459
459
After sorting the herbs and putting them away in the lab , Aria said to Pearl , “ Go to sleep now . We’ll start tomorrow . ”
“ Okay .” Pearl nodded .
Pearl paused , turned back to Aria , and asked , “ Aren’t you curious why Olivia agreed to let me stay with you ? ”
Aria smiled . “ As long as things work out , that’s all that matters . ”
Pearl said , “ I told Olivia that getting close to you would help her . She ordered me to find a chance to poison you , so she let me go . ”
“ It’s okay , ” Aria smiled , but her eyes turned serious . “ Until Olivia is dead , don’t go out unless you have to . If you must , I’ll go with you .”
Pearl froze . “ Will she hurt me ? ”
Aria nodded . “ Yes . ”
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Just two days ago , Pearl wasn’t afraid to die . She was ready to risk everything for a way out . But now that she had felt this warmth , she didn’t want to die
anymore .
Aria reassured her , “ No worries . Whenever you need to go out , I’ll be right there with you . We just need to take Olivia down within a year ”
Pearl couldn’t help but laugh . “ Aria , I’m really not scared . Honestly , I never liked going out anyway . Staying home suits me just fine . ”
“ Sweetie , go get some sleep , ” Aria said gently .
Pearl smiled . “ Good night , Aria . ”
Aria went back to her room , took a shower , and after a moment’s thought , pulled out her phone to text Silvia .
Aria : [ Hey , I have something to tell you . Let me know when you’re free to meet up . ]
Silvia replied instantly , [ I’m free tomorrow ! How about that café near Mayen Garden ? ]
[ Sure , you pick the time , ] Aria responded .
[ How about 4pm , Aria ? ] Silvia suggested .
Aria : [ OK . ]
Aria put down her phone and settled into her chair with a book , but she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was forgetting something .
After a moment’s thought , she just shrugged and kept reading .
Across the room , Owen sat waiting in his chair . By ten o’clock , he’d checked his messages countless times – still , no one had reached out to him .
He couldn’t help thinking , ‘ Did she really forget about me ? ‘
[ My queen , have you forgotten me waiting for you ? he texted , the message laced with playful teasing .
When Aria saw the message , she quickly replied , [ Of course not . I’m coming over now . ]
She always kept her word .
Just sleeping somewhere else was no big deal for her .
Besides , it wasn’t their first time sharing a bed .
1/2
09:44 Tue , 24 Jun
459
Owen : [ Don’t forget to bring the ointment . ]
81 %
Aria had completely forgotten about applying the ointment . She quietly picked up the tube and slipped into another room . As soon as she opened the door , she bumped into a warm embrace .
She instantly knew it was Owen and didn’t even try to pull away . In the past , she would have kicked him away without hesitation .
Owen gave her a gentle squeeze before letting go . Just as he was about to speak , Aría covered her mouth and stifled a yawn . “ Let’s apply the ointment
first . ”
Owen nodded . “ Alright . ”
Aría slipped naturally into his room , pulled back the thin blanket , and slid under it without a hint of hesitation – her movements smooth and unhurried .
Owen stood by the bed , watching her , and thought , ‘ So I’m the only one who’s been shy and expectant this whole time ?
‘ Aria truly lives up to herself – completely unfazed , ‘ he mused with a wry smile .
“ Why are you just standing there ? Aren’t you going to help me apply the ointment ? ” Aria asked , puzzled .
“ On it , ” Owen replied .
Owen went to wash his hands and , just like last time , sat behind her , watching as on her back .
lled down her shoulder strap , exposing a stretch of smooth skin
As he applied the ointment , he asked , “ Are you planning to help Pearl with her face ? ”