‘Where did that dress come from?’
Suddenly, Ariella’s attention was drawn to Lizzy’s outfit.
The indoor dress she wore was of such high quality that it seemed too good for a maid’s attire. It was not something one could buy on a maid’s salary.
Now that she thought about it, Lizzy’s attire had been particularly luxurious lately. She had also acquired jewelry that Ariella had never seen before.
Had she received gifts from someone?
Ariella stared intently at Lizzy in the mirror, blinking.
“The color of our hair and eyes, our age. Even our names are the same.”
‘Lizzy’ was one of Ariella’s many nicknames. While it was somewhat misleading to say they had the same name, Ariella listened to her without interrupting.
“Even the faint memories of our childhood are the same.”
Lizzy also said that her memories of her family before she was separated from them were hazy, specifically those before she turned five.
It was astonishing how many points overlapped with Ariella.
“…Doesn’t it feel like fate?”
Lizzy’s large eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky.
As Ariella met that gaze through the mirror, she unconsciously bit her lower lip.
If that radiant smile seemed somehow fierce, was it just an illusion? If that sparkling gaze resembled that of a beast hunting its prey…
‘No, that can’t be.’
Ariella let out a hollow laugh and shook her head slightly.
“Are you perhaps uncomfortable? Hearing that you resemble a maid?”
“No, not at all. I think we are destined to be together.”
Though it was quite different from what Lizzy meant, Ariella had no disagreement with the notion that their meeting was fateful.
As she agreed, Lizzy beamed with joy. It seemed she quickly forgot the embarrassment from earlier regarding the earrings.
Ariella thought that Lizzy’s simplicity was truly consistent as she smiled back.
“I will definitely repay this kindness, Miss!”
Suddenly, the image of young Lizzy, with a scruffy face, shouting that came to mind.
‘Kindness.’
In truth, it was Ariella who was repaying a kindness.
She was returning the warmth she had received from her benefactor to Lizzy, who resembled that person. And it would be a repayment that lasted a lifetime.
‘There will be much more to do in the future.’
Lately, it seemed that Lizzy had developed an interest in marriage, as she often asked about her fiancé.
It would be troublesome if she were to get entangled with the wrong person, so she should have someone look into finding a suitable match for Lizzy, a man of good appearance who would treat her well.
Of course, it couldn’t just end with finding someone. Sometimes a woman’s life could become even more unhappy after marriage.
Even if she secretly provided a large dowry to the Duke of Abercorn, it would be the same. No, such things often brought more trouble.
Ariella was determined to continue putting effort into Lizzy’s happiness. It was her atonement and her only joy.
However, at that moment, Ariella had no idea.
The girl who said she would repay her kindness would grow up and begin to covet her place.
***
Events that change one’s life can happen suddenly.
Just as Ariella, who had been wandering through the poorhouse, suddenly became a princess of Abercorn one day, truly significant events occur at the most unexpected moments.
Today was no different.
It began as an ordinary day like any other.
‘Strange.’
Sitting on a chair in the central garden, sipping lukewarm tea, Ariella thought as she stared at the empty seat in front of her.
It had already been an hour since Aaron had excused himself and left.
He, who valued appearances, would not have returned to the palace without saying a word, and since it was a place he came to eat, he wouldn’t have gotten lost.
‘He looked uncomfortable earlier; was he in urgent need of the restroom?’
If that were the case, it would explain why he hadn’t returned for so long.
It was a matter concerning her fiancé’s dignity. It would be better for both of them not to pry further.
‘Now that I think about it, it’s been unusually quiet lately.’
Suddenly, Ariella realized that Aaron had been speaking much less than before.
Even just a moment ago, when they were drinking tea, he had been strangely silent.
‘Just a few months ago, he was pestering me to attend all sorts of parties together.’
When she suggested he go alone, he would get angry, saying how could the Crown Prince attend without a partner, and if she suggested finding another partner, he would question whether he was not considered her fiancé.
Ariella found his reaction absurd.
‘He said he was tired of attending parties with the same partner for years,’ and she had merely made a suggestion, yet he had gotten so angry. For some reason, it seemed she had touched his pride.
