Chapter 48: Arielle And Her Rabbits

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The next day, Arielle woke up with her little bunnies. They then proceeded to always follow Arielle wherever she went. Even when the girl decided to clean herself or change clothes. The five rabbits always surrounded Arielle, just to sit around or stick their bodies to the girl's legs.

Tania was not too uncomfortable about this, because Arielle has always been close to animals. No one knew what made Arielle special, but Tania always admired Arielle's ability to make the animals fall in love with her.

"Hey, you guys stay here. I'll be back this afternoon," said Arielle. She asked the rabbit family to return to her room. However, they didn't listen and continued to follow Arielle.

"I can't take you guys. I'm going to see His Majesty the King."

Arielle picked up one of the rabbits that followed her and led her back into the room. The other rabbits followed as Arielle walked.

"Stay here!" Arielle asked more firmly by pointing her index finger.

The rabbits did not listen to Arielle's orders. They continued to jump a little towards Arielle, and Tania chuckled seeing it.

"You can take them to see the king."

"But I have to make breakfast for him first."

Tania, who finished tidying Arielle's bed, also chased the rabbits out of the room.

"I can make breakfast for you and His Majesty the King."

Arielle still hesitated. It was because the king looked like he was not an animal lover. Yesterday, it was clear, the man refused Arielle to take care of the rabbits even though in the end, Ronan accepted.

After she thought it over carefully, Arielle finally gave up and decided she was going to take them with her. She'd ask permission from Ronan to let her study in her room just for today. She didn't want the rabbits to mess up the king's study.

Arielle turned and left her room. Tania chuckled as she watched the five rabbits of the same family tail behind Arielle.

Arielle covered her face with both palms, feeling embarrassed as a group of knights exited the Blackthorn palace then stopped to salute her. After Arielle passed them, all heads turned in unison to see the five rabbits that followed the princess' every step.

Several servants and maidservants also did the same. After Arielle left, they turned their faces and kept their heads low as they whispered to one another. It was strange for them to see rabbits enter the palace.

The knights who were on guard didn't know what to do either. It was clear His Majesty the King would not like to see an animal enter the palace grounds, especially the Blackthorn building. However, because these little animals came with the princess, the knights couldn't do anything but let them in.

Arielle knocked on the door of the king's study. It didn't take too long for the princess to venture and open the door herself.

Ronan placed down his cup of coffee and smiled. He was thrilled to see her arrive because he had already been waiting since he woke up.

Normally, it was an hour more but unexpectedly, the girl ended up at his study earlier for some reason. Arielle also didn't bring the breakfast trolley like before. This made him really happy.

"Come in. Why are you hiding behind the door?" asked Ronan. He felt strange about the girl's shyness all of a sudden. Arielle opened the door but didn't immediately enter. She just poked her head and looked at the king with a blushing face.

Instantly Ronan's memory returned to yesterday afternoon when he caressed and nibbled on Arielle's palm. He cleared his throat and grimaced inwardly.

Ah…. Was that what made Arielle hesitate to approach him? He realized he was overdoing it.

Ronan put down his coffee cup and let out a long sigh. He waited patiently for what Arielle wanted to say.

"Your Majesty, I request permission to study in my own room today."

Ronan raised one eyebrow. He sighed in disappointment once again. He looked at the letter Arielle had written on his desk. It was now framed nicely in a black wooden frame.

"Why?" the man asked, a little annoyed. "We usually study in my study. Don't you like it here?"

"Um… some conditions prevent me from staying in this room. I don't want to inconvenience you, Your Majesty."

"Is it because of what happened yesterday afternoon that you're avoiding me now?"

"Huh?"

What happened yesterday afternoon?

"Ah..." Suddenly, Arielle remembered what they were doing, and her face immediately turned as red as a ripe tomato. Even her ears felt hot and prickled with heat. Arielle cleared her throat to erase the memory and tried to calm down her pounding heart.

Ronan rose from his chair. He put his hands in his pants pockets and walked slowly towards the door where Arielle was hiding.

"I-it's... not that, Your Majesty," Arielle replied shyly.

"No? Then, is there any other reason?"

Arielle immediately pulled a rabbit backward with her foot which she then hid in the skirt of her dress as Ronan got closer. She did this so Ronan wouldn't find out that she was bringing animals into the Blackthorn Palace.

Ronan opened his door wider and looked around the girl, but found no one. However, when the king wanted to step back, Arielle immediately hugged the man and pulled him towards her so as not to step back. Ronan was very surprised by Arielle's strange attitude.

"What is it?" asked the king in astonishment.

Arielle looked up with a sullen face.

"You almost stepped on a rabbit," Arielle said guiltily.

"Rabbit? Where?! In my study?"

Arielle let go of her embrace and let the man put one of his legs down. Ronan looked back, and sure enough, a pure white furry rabbit sat down peacefully behind him. It was staring up at him now. Ronan gave a low growl, and the rabbit went deeper and deeper into the man's study.

Ronan now turned to look at Arielle, asking for an explanation but the girl just lowered her head in shame. Ronan became increasingly speechless when he saw a white head emerge from under her skirt. The girl covered her red face.

"Th-they don't want to leave me alone…." Arielle muttered between her palms.

Ah, Ronan got it now.

The man lifted Arielle's body so easily. Arielle, who was startled, immediately stabilized her body by holding the king's shoulders.

"Y-Your Majesty?"

Several rabbits jumped and scattered all over the king's room when their cover was lifted. Ronan did not put Arielle down. The man actually brought Arielle inside of the study while he carried her in his arms. His hands were wrapped under the girl's buttocks for him to carry her.

Ronan turned to take the girl inside after he closed the door to his study. He ignored the rabbits that started to climb on his sofa. With one foot, he pushed one of the rabbits out of his desk.