As soon as we stepped out of the room, Marise glanced around, clearly confused about why I'd pulled her aside where her parents couldn't hear.
And to be honest, I was probably overreacting. But considering Evelina's tendencies, it was better to make sure she understood by talking to her one-on-one.
"Marise."
"Yes, Lord Arden?"
"Watch how you look at me when we're at the ball." I scratched the back of my neck, my tone almost relaxed.
"H-Huh?"
"Don't tell her I said this, but Evelina, Lady D'Arclight, as you know her, is a very jealous person. So just... watch yourself, got it? She's not the type to hold back when it comes to rivals. Lethally, I mean."
Marise blinked at me. Then her expression shifted into something that looked dangerously close to amusement.
"Lord Arden," she said slowly, "are you warning me that your wife might try to kill me if I look at you wrong?"
"We're not actually married."
"That's what you took from what I just said?"
