This meant that just moments ago, Aaron had been flirting with a fake in front of the real Princess Bedford.
The gaze of Empress Genevieve suddenly shifted to Lizzy’s face. At the same time, the empress flinched and frowned. The sight of Lizzy was far too fierce.
Lizzy, with her delicate skin flushed bright red, was glaring at the man and woman in the garden with a menacing look, as if she would slash Ariella’s face at any moment.
The ferocity was such that even the empress, who had experienced many trials, instinctively recoiled.
‘She’s not an ordinary woman.’
The way she smiled sweetly and charmingly no matter what he said felt unsettling, and it was clear that she harbored many hidden dangers within.
The empress’s wariness toward her newly acquired daughter-in-law surged even higher, even though the one who had made the mistake was her son, not the daughter-in-law.
“Aaron. I was just on my way to your palace. Come with me.”
“You should have contacted me beforehand, Mother. I’m sorry, but I have other matters to attend to right now, so I can’t spare the time. Please come back later.”
The empress had extended a helping hand to rescue him from a difficult situation, but Aaron shamelessly refused with a smile.
Other matters, indeed.
If he had even a shred of consideration for his mother’s position and for Lizzy, it would have been right to tuck his tail between his legs and be cautious. Unfortunately, Aaron was not the type to be obedient to any woman, even if that woman was his own mother.
“Aaron Fernandit de Bingham!”
Empress Genevieve snapped in anger.
To behave like this in front of two princesses of Bedford and their maids was to insult herself, the empress of this empire, and his mother.
“Do you think I need to go find the emperor right now for you to come to your senses?”
Once the emperor was mentioned, Aaron recognized the seriousness of the situation and irritably swept his hair back. Sighing deeply, he looked as if he found it all quite bothersome.
“Let’s talk later, Arrie.”
After giving Ariella a light nod, Aaron reluctantly followed the empress.
He didn’t even consider what kind of friction might arise between the two women left behind, nor how Lizzy, who hadn’t even received a greeting, might feel.
Ariella silently applauded his consistent insensitivity. If it were up to her, she would have liked to clap openly, but there were too many eyes in the palace, so she had to restrain herself.
Thus, she stood in the spot where the empress had just left and smiled kindly at Lizzy, who was glaring at her as if she would kill her.
“It’s nice to see you again, Lizzy. Since this is fate, shall we ride back together in the carriage?”
Sisterly affection. Ariella added in a soft voice.
Ha, Lizzy scoffed and retorted without backing down.
“Is it fun? Wagging your tail at the man who abandoned you, is that enjoyable?”
“Yeah, it’s more fun than I expected.”
Ariella nodded with an innocent face and walked toward Lizzy.
“I haven’t even started wagging my tail yet, but the man who abandoned me is already running back to you. Isn’t that amusing to you?”
As she mocked her, a grinding sound of teeth could be heard.
Lizzy stepped forward, determined not to give an inch to Ariella.
Soon, the two women stood facing each other against the beautiful backdrop of Blenheim Gardens.
“Arrie, you’ve been beaten to a pulp and still haven’t come to your senses? Even if Aaron gives you some cheap attention, do you think you can become Ariella again?”
Lizzy launched another attack.
“Use that good head of yours properly, okay? No matter how hard you try, all you can get is the position of a mistress, that’s it. Got it, you filthy thing?”
With her arms crossed and chin held high, she looked proud. However, the words that came from her pretty lips were raw and vulgar.
Ariella let out a short laugh at her.
“It seems I’ve become quite pretty. Considering you were so confident that Aaron wouldn’t take an interest in me, it’s amusing that you’re even thinking of giving up the position of a mistress.”
She had no desire to become Aaron’s mistress at all. But if it could push Lizzy into anxiety, what words couldn’t she say?
“Don’t worry about my legs. If I become Aaron’s mistress, I’m sure he’ll protect my lovely skin.”
“Ha! Aren’t you ashamed? Is that how a noble behaves?”
“How surprising that you know what shame is. You, who spread your legs for someone else’s fiancé just to get a bit of that cheap attention. Ah, does it not matter to you since you’re not a true noble? Is it not a big deal since it’s something you’ve done countless times, given your lowly birth?”
