---
With quick steps, she adjusted her dress instinctively when a cheerful voice interrupted her:
"Oh my God, what's wrong with you, Ribet? Is this how a gentleman greets someone?"
Ribet, who was leaning against one of the columns, let out a laugh full of amusement, his hazel eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Arwa, I didn't think you'd be so shocked by my beauty!" he said, raising an eyebrow with mock confidence.
Arwa, who was not in the mood to play along with his jokes, sighed in frustration as she adjusted her dress collar. "Are you a child? Stop joking around."
But Ribet wasn't one to miss an opportunity to tease her. He looked at her for a long moment, a mix of amusement and interest in his gaze, before leaning slightly toward her and whispering with a sly smile:
"Well, since you're here today, I think our day is going to be wonderful."
Arwa, sensing that this conversation wouldn't end in her favor, frowned and turned away without another word. "I'm leaving now."
She climbed the steps of the palace, heading back to her friend Monica's room, leaving Ribet watching her with a gaze that was no longer just playful—but a mixture of longing he had never voiced.
—
Ribet Val Dailly, the eldest son of Count Arthur Dailly.
In the original novel "You Are Mine," he was merely a supporting character for the heroine, barely mentioned. But now, here he was—a police officer, a man with an imposing aura, yet in front of Arwa, he turned into a mischievous child.
He was tall, 190 cm, with jet-black hair and hazel eyes that hid many secrets. His milky skin contrasted with his sharp features—thick eyebrows, and eyes that carried the gaze of villains in novels.
And yet, when he saw her, all his seriousness faded, as if something inside him returned to childhood.
"Stop thinking, Arwa. You'll become a maniac for troublesome guys!" she muttered to herself in frustration as she shut the door behind her.
—
Arwa slammed the door behind her, leaning against it as she tried to calm her thoughts.
"That man… is annoying!" she muttered, rubbing her forehead in irritation.
Monica was lying on her bed, flipping through a fancy magazine. She raised her head lazily. "Ah, Ribet again?"
"Who else!" Arwa threw herself onto a chair, crossing her arms. "Doesn't he have anything better to do than bother me?"
Monica smirked mischievously, raising an eyebrow. "I don't think what he's doing is called bothering… it's called flirting."
Arwa shot her a threatening glare, but Monica ignored it and continued, "He's handsome, strong, and a troublemaker… Are you sure you're not thinking about him?"
"I don't have time for such nonsense!" Arwa snapped as she stood up, but she wasn't prepared for what happened next.
Because the door suddenly swung open, and Ribet walked in as if he owned the place!
"Arwa! I've been looking for you everywhere!"
Arwa froze for a moment before yelling angrily, "Ribet! What are you doing here?!"
Monica, thoroughly enjoying the scene, covered her face with a pillow to keep from laughing.
"Oh, no need to be so tense." Ribet said as he walked toward her confidently. "I just happened to pass by and heard you complaining about me, so I decided to help you out."
Arwa raised an eyebrow in sarcasm. "Help me? And how exactly will you do that?"
"I'll stay with you all day until you get used to me, that way, you won't complain anymore!" he said with a wide grin, as if he had just offered her the most brilliant solution ever.
"Oh, how genius of you! Why didn't I think of that before?" Arwa replied sarcastically, then exhaled angrily. "Now, get out before I—"
But Ribet was faster; he grabbed her hand and pulled her out with him before she could finish her threat!
"Since you're free today, let's go somewhere fun!"
"Ribet! Let me go!" Arwa struggled to free herself, but he didn't let go, laughing at her futile attempts.
Some of the servants passed by in the corridors, visibly holding back their laughter. Arwa was pulling in the opposite direction, but Ribet showed no signs of stopping.
"Where shall we go? Do you like gardens or stables? Oh, what about the lake?"
"How about letting go of my hand first?!"
But he completely ignored her, and soon, she found herself in the palace's back garden, where the sun was bright and the air was fresh.
Finally, he released her—but she didn't waste time. Instantly, she raised her foot and—
"Oof!"
She kicked him!
Ribet stared at her in shock, holding his leg, while she stood with her arms crossed, glaring at him coldly.
"That's your punishment for kidnapping me, Officer."
But instead of getting angry, he burst out laughing.
"Oh, that's what I love about you, Arwa! Always so stubborn!"
"Does this seem fun to you?"
Ribet smirked mischievously, taking slow steps toward her. "Actually, yes."
Arwa turned away quickly. "I'm going back to my room!"
But he caught her wrist again, this time gently, and looked at her with an expression different from his usual teasing—a gaze that held something deeper than just playfulness.
"Arwa… why do you always run away from me?"
She fell silent, unable to find a quick response, but she wasn't ready to face him now.
So she yanked her hand away forcefully and walked away, while Ribet watched her, his smile this time no longer sarcastic… but mysterious.
"Running away won't work forever, Miss Arwa." he murmured to himself, shoving his hands into his pockets, enjoying the game more than he should.
---
Arwa walked away from the garden with quick steps, her heart pounding—not from running, but from something else she refused to acknowledge.
"Annoying… annoying… annoying!" she muttered, clenching her fists.
But no matter how hard she tried to deny it, Reibt's last look wouldn't leave her mind. It was different—not just a joke like usual, but something more serious… more dangerous.
"Why do you always run away from me?"
Just remembering his words made her face burn with both anger and embarrassment.
"I'm not running away! I just don't want to deal with him!"
But even she wasn't convinced by her own words.
As she reached the palace corridor, she suddenly heard footsteps following her. She stopped abruptly and turned around, only to find Reibt standing right behind her, smiling confidently.
"What… what are you doing?"
"Escorting you to your room."
Arwa raised an eyebrow. "Don't you think you've bothered me enough today?"
He simply shrugged. "Actually, I think I haven't even started yet."
She wanted to yell at him, but she knew it would be useless. This man did not understand the meaning of surrender.
"Fine. Since you're so determined to annoy me, let's see if you can keep up."
She lifted her chin in challenge, her blue eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Oh? Is that a challenge?" Reibt asked, curiosity and excitement lacing his voice.
"Not exactly. But I'll pretend you don't exist, and we'll see how long you can last."
It wasn't a logical challenge, but she was willing to do anything to get rid of him—even if it meant ignoring him completely.
"How boring," Reibt sighed, shoving his hands into his pockets. "But… has she already started ignoring me?"
—
Hours had passed since their last encounter, and Arwa was in the sitting room with Monica, relaxing as they enjoyed some tea.
Even though she hadn't turned to look, she could feel him—sitting on the opposite couch, pretending to be engrossed in a book, but in reality, watching her intently.
It wasn't just annoying—it was infuriating.
Monica noticed the tension on Arwa's face and whispered teasingly, "He's here, isn't he?"
"Ignore him…" Arwa replied, trying to keep her composure.
But Monica was never one to waste a golden opportunity to stir trouble.
"Oh, Arwa, would you like a piece of cake?" she said, her voice deliberately loud. "Or perhaps… you'd prefer if someone fed you?"
Arwa shot her a warning glare, but it was already too late.
"What a great idea!" Reibt suddenly said, standing up and walking toward them. "Let me do it!"
Before Arwa could process what was happening, he had picked up a piece of cake with a fork and extended it toward her lips with a mischievous smile.
"Here, open your mouth."
"What?!" Arwa gasped, shoving the fork away. "Have you lost your mind?!"
"Why? Monica said you wanted someone to feed you."
"She was joking, you idiot!"
But Reibt didn't back down. Instead, he leaned closer. "So… are you refusing this delicious cake just because I'm the one offering it?"
Something about his voice made her heartbeat quicken, but she refused to show any weakness.
"Yes, I refuse." She lifted her chin defiantly.
"Your loss, then," he said, popping the cake into his own mouth, his eyes never leaving hers.
Arwa felt her anger skyrocket. This man… was he ever going to leave her alone?!
But what she didn't realize was that this was far more than just playful teasing…
—
Later that day, Arwa was browsing the library, searching for a book to read, when she heard familiar footsteps approaching.
"Oh no… not again."
But she didn't turn around.
Instead, she continued pulling books from the shelf, pretending not to notice his presence.
Of course, Reibt wasn't going to let her ignore him so easily.
He walked up slowly, stopping just behind her—so close that she could feel his breath near her ear.
"What are you reading?"
She froze for a moment, then replied coldly, "Something that doesn't concern you."
But he didn't move away. If anything, he leaned in closer, as if enjoying her hidden nervousness.
"Is it about love?"
Arwa scoffed. "Oh, definitely not."
"Why not?"
She finally turned to face him, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Tell me, what exactly do you want from me?"
Reibt smiled—but it wasn't his usual smirk. It was something softer, something far more dangerous.
"I want you to stop running away from me."
She froze, speechless.
Before she could respond, he pulled back and walked away, leaving behind a trail of heavy words.
"The game has begun, Arwa… and I will win."