My Fiancée Hates Me
Chapter 69: Birthday Plans

I wrote several letters and quickly sent out the most important ones through messenger pigeons or trusted messengers.

I wanted to speak with Prince Erik for a moment but thought it might be better to leave him out of the loop this time.

No more accidents...I have to plan several backup plans and be ready for anything.

I found Garett walking in the halls by himself yet again.

Is it a hobby for him to avoid people in general? I was the same way, but I do not go out of my way this much to avoid people. "Great timing," I said as I waved at him.

"Good afternoon, Arielle. What is the occasion for this visit?" Garett asked.

My lover is distant as usual...

"I wanted to discuss some plans?" I said.

"Plans?" Garett said with a tilt of his head.

"Since we are both going to Prince Erik's birthday party, I thought we should celebrate the day before."

"I overheard about Charlotte and Grace talking about having a surprise birthday party for me in the Library in the afternoon..."

"It's not much of a surprise if you overheard it then..."

"It's the thought that counts I guess..."

He used to dislike parties...I am glad that he is starting to be more open minded about it.

"I wanted to talk about extending the celebration into the night and in your room because you do not have neighbors," I suggested.

"I do not know about having three women in my room at night..."

"I would not like that either, so I wanted to spend the night with you," I said.

His face was slightly tinged red.

"...Ah, the night...that is fine. Would you like to sleep over as well? Everyone will be gone by evening that day anyways," Garett suggested. The whole night?

I was originally going to give him some cookies I made and leave some time at night.

"...I would like to stay for the night then," I said.

He pats my head gently.

"I will get some things ready before your visit," he said as he walked past me.

Things?

What on earth does he need to get ready?

His room is already clean, and he has various snacks and teas in his room...

I told Charlotte and Grace that my suggestion went well over some pancakes in town.

"I'm glad it went well," Charlotte said.

"You two will be able to spend some quality time together," Grace said with a dreamy expression. "We will be able to spend a longer time together since he is letting me sleep over," I said happily. "...Sleeping over? You are?" Charlotte asked.

"Yes, he is letting me sleep over in his room. The dorm will be empty that night and the day after."

"Let us all go pick out a lovely nightgown for Arielle!" Charlotte said excitedly.

I thought that I might as well go along with it and have fun with them while I could.

We threw a small party for Garett's birthday in the Library before I left with Garett alone.

I walked to Garett's room with Garett at night. He was kind enough to lend me his bathroom for a light shower and a warm bath.

I put on my new nightgown that I bought with Charlotte and Grace earlier today. It was a pretty white babydoll dress with short flounce sleeves and a mid-thigh length skirt. I thought it was a bit too revealing, so I also put on a long sweater cardigan on top.

"Are you comfortable?" Garett asked.

"Yes, very much. Thank you for letting me use your bath," I said.

"I also prepared some extra pillows and blankets in case you needed them," Garett said.

"For me?"

"You have a low body temperature, so I always assumed you needed to be warmer when you sleep," he said as he pats my head.

He is so affectionate towards me when we are alone.

"Thank you very much...Before I forget, I wanted to give you some cookies I made," I said as I handed him the cookies.

He took one out and ate it in front of me. I waited expectantly for him to chew and swallow completely before he gave his true thoughts. "It's delicious," he said with a bright smile.

Yes!

"I'm glad."

"I will eat the rest tomorrow," he said as he placed the rest on his desk. "I will finish up my book and then go to sleep."

He climbed in his bed and began reading a book.

Neglect play?

After cookies, there really is only sleeping left, right?

I looked around his room again. It was a rather impressive room with the size and the large desks and extra tables and a new sofa area. This is probably the most impressive room in the whole school. "...It is normal for a royal family member..."

Cousins as well?

"...Ah, I'm sorry. Did you want to read something?" Garett said as he took notice of me.

"...An adventurous story would keep me up at night. Do you have poetry?"

"...I have one in my nightstand," he said as he said as he pulled out a small book.

I climbed in bed beside him and saw a familiar book in his hands. The book was a rare copy that only produced ten in total. I had gotten my hands on two of the books that even a Royal Family member would have difficulty obtaining. One of them was at my home. The other...I gave to His Majesty a few years ago when I severed my engagement with Prince Erik. The very same copy with a light watermark of my family insignia ended back in my hands.

Why was the copy with Garett...is something I did not want to ask for some reason...

Garett had closed his book.

"I have already read this book," I said as I handed it back to him.

"Have you?" he asked with widened eyes.

"Yes... Haven't you read it?"

"... You might be surprised, but this is the only book that I have gotten my hands on that I have not read before."

"Why is that?"

He looked a bit perplexed as he stared off into the distance.

"Mixed feelings...I suppose?" he said as he held my hand.

...Why would he have my book?

I don't understand what kind of feelings he would have that would prevent him from being able to read the book. Was it the person who gave it to him? I wonder which person it was that gave him the book. Prince Erik? His Majesty? What was the exact relationship between all three of them?

I touched his cheek and turned his face towards mine. He placed both of his hands on my face and gently kissed me. Before I knew it, my head was on the pillow and the center of my vision only contained Garett's face.

Night...bed...and my lover all in one room...

I wonder why it took me so long to realize that there were other things you could do with your lover in a bed other than sleep...intimate things.

I thought I had prepared my heart for anything coming to me, but Garett decided to lay beside me instead. He laced his fingers with mine and smiled softly.

"...Why?" I asked.

"What is it?" he asked with an innocent expression.

Is he teasing me or just really that innocent?

"...About this..."

"Do you not like holding hands? I wanted to hold hands. If you dislike it, I can just let go."

I gripped his hand slightly.

"...There is no way that I could hate it," I said.

"I see...Shall we keep holding hands until you sleep then?" Garett suggested.

...Why ask a question that you already know the answer to?

In the end, only I feel embarrassed...

"...Can I ask you something?"

"Yes?"

"... Why did you tell me that you would take me sitting on your bed as an invitation the next time?"

"I only said it so that you would be aware that I was a man...I would rather wait until our feelings are mutual before engaging in anything beyond. Don't worry about anything because I can wait...I have waited this long to hold your hand like this, right?"

If I had confessed my true feelings earlier, we would not be experiencing this innocent moment together now...would we?☐☐☐☐☐☐☐