CHAPTER 898: CHAPTER 898: ARE YOU NOT ANGRY?

"Are you not angry that I made you wait for a long time without noticing you?" Arabella inquired, feeling bad for not even noticing her husband had been here since who knows how long.

"I can’t say, I did not feel bad when I thought you were ignoring me.

But you were not.

You simply did not notice me since you were so focused.

This is not the first time, so I’m already used to it," Ferdinand said.

"I’m so sorry, Ferdinand. I really did not do it intentionally," Arabella did not know how to explain it aside from this, since she really did not notice him at all.

How was it possible?

She did not know either.

It simply happened, and she only realized now that it happened.

"I know. I understand. You don’t have to fret about it," Ferdinand assured her.

[This was exactly why I told Rendell and the others to especially guard her more keenly when she’s busy with something. The more her attention is focused on something, the more she forgets about everything else entirely.]

’He’s really not angry?’

Arabella eyed Ferdinand, and he truly did not seem angry or suspicious of her at all.

Seeing his usual concerned and caring eyes, Arabella finally relaxed a bit and settled the proposals back on the table.

Ferdinand did not pick them up. Instead, he brought his handkerchief and wiped her cheeks.

Arabella blushed when he saw the handkerchief had turned dark.

She truly had ink on her face. He was not kidding about it.

"Are there more?" Arabella was about to touch her face, but Ferdinand caught her hand.

"You have ink here as well," Ferdinand said, and wiped the ink under her right hand and fingers. "

’So embarrassing! When did I even begin using ink?’

Arabella glanced at her magic pen, settled on one side of the table.

She realized it had run out. She needed the mana stone replaced.

Ferdinand wiped some of her dress buttons too before he finally said, "Alright, all clean. Now, come and have some snacks."

Arabella glanced at the coffee table, which was filled with snacks clearly meant for her.

Ferdinand had eaten half, perhaps while he was waiting for her.

"Are you feeling dizzy? I’ll carry you," Ferdinand lifted her in a lover’s carry before she could reply.

He walked to the couch and seated himself with her in tow.

Ferdinand settled her on his lap and said, "Alright. Eat some light snacks before we have dinner."

"Eh?! It’s already dinner time?" Arabella glanced at the clock and realized it was two hours past dinner time.

No wonder Ferdinand was here. He always insisted she eat on time, so perhaps he came here to tell her it was time to eat.

And yet, she didn’t notice him, and he simply waited. He must have gotten bored and curious about what she was doing, and so he picked up some of the paper she had written on.

"Yes. It’s past dinner time. If your hand hurts, I’ll feed you," Ferdinand said. So Arabella quickly picked up something and placed it in her mouth.

"Mm~ It’s sweet!" Arabella said after swallowing it.

Ferdinand poured her a cup of tea, and Arabella drank it in one go.

Very unladylike of her, but she felt parched, perhaps because she worked without drinking even water.

She immediately felt a rush of energy coursing through her body.

"Oh, is this made with some kind of rejuvenating herbs?" Arabella inquired.

"Yes. I’m glad it was useful. Here, eat some more. You still look pale," Ferdinand said, making her eat another cookie.

Arabella realized it wasn’t just the tea. The cookies as well.

Ferdinand had clearly asked Alfredo to make it for her.

"Thank you," Arabella said, and Ferdinand smiled softly.

"Yes, that is all you’re supposed to say instead of acting all scared," Ferdinand sighed and fed her another cookie.

"..."

When she remained silent, Ferdinand poured another cup of tea and brought it to her mouth.

"I can hold it myself," Arabella said and tried to get it from him.

It was then that she noticed her hands were trembling.

"Drink," Ferdinand said, and Arabella obeyed.

She felt more energy in her body, and her hands finally stopped trembling.

"Good," Ferdinand said as he also eyed her hands.

He held the hand she had been using to the right and massaged it gently.

[She had been writing ferociously for hours. Her poor hands must hurt badly.]

"Fe-Ferociously?!" Arabella was rather disturbed by the term.

"Yes. It’s the most appropriate term. It’s almost like you’re angry at the vacant sheets of paper that you must fill them immediately or else you won’t be satisfied. Is this your way of hunting?" Ferdinand said, and Arabella blinked twice at his words.

She imagined it in her head and thought he must be kidding.

"Hahaha. I didn’t know you could joke like this, Ferdinand," Arabella chuckled.

"I wasn’t joking. But if it pleases, then perhaps I should begin doing so," Ferdinand responded.

"Eh?! So you mean I was really writing in that manner?" Arabella inquired.

"Yes, just look at what you did to your poor hands. It hurts here, right?" Ferdinand pressed slightly on her hand.

"Ouch! Don’t do that!" Arabella cried out.

"Sorry, did I give it too much pressure?"

Ferdinand let go of her hand but held it again and gave it a gentle massage once again.

Arabella sighed in relief as his massage felt great again.

"That’s the right one," she informed him, so he won’t overdo it again.

Arabella then drank tea and ate snacks while Ferdinand massaged and relaxed her tired hands and wrists.

"Are you feeling better now?" Ferdinand inquired after massaging both hands equally.

"Yes. Thank you! I didn’t know you were good at this," Arabella beamed.

"Am I? Good then. I’ll do it for you when your hands hurt. But where’s my reward?" Ferdinand asked.

"Reward?" Arabella tilted her head and realized what it was from his thoughts.

He wanted a kiss on the cheek.

Arabella smiled and gave him a peck.