“Wait, Lizzy. That can’t be true. Why would I like that skinny woman?”
“Yes, I trust you, Your Highness. But…”
Last night, after receiving a message, Aaron had secretly gone to see Lizzy and was very displeased by her unexpected words. Lizzy, who had said they shouldn’t meet this week, seemed to have no intention of opening her legs for him.
It would be troublesome if he had come all this way and she refused him. Thinking this, he suppressed his irritation and made a bold promise.
“I promise. I won’t say a word to Arrie at the ball tomorrow.”
“What? But you have to dance with her first, how can you do that?”
“I won’t even dance. Will that be enough for you to believe me?”
“Your Highness…!”
“So, the idea of not meeting is now forbidden. Got it?”
Lizzy, whose mood had quickly lifted, nestled her face against Aaron’s chest. She did not shy away from the hands that were creeping into secret places.
He liked this about her. Simple and obedient. Like a pet that followed him well.
However, at this moment, he regretted the promise he had made to Lizzy yesterday.
Before going to the bathroom, his heart and after returning were different. The same went for women.
“Aaron?”
Ariella tilted her head, pushing him deeper into contemplation.
After a brief yet intense struggle, Aaron made up his mind.
“Let’s go.”
With his blue cloak billowing elegantly, Aaron passed her by with a cold demeanor.
It was a highly rational decision. Although he found Ariella’s obedient demeanor appealing, he had ultimately chosen Lizzy.
Lizzy had proven to Aaron that she was the real Princess Bedford. Once that truth became known to everyone, she would possess not only noble status and a beautiful appearance but also a dramatic story, allowing her to surpass Ariella and claim the title of the finest woman in Juvenile.
The most brilliant things rightfully belonged in his hands.
Believing this, he chose Lizzy. Lizzy delighted him with her lovely looks and charming demeanor, so he had no regrets about his choice. At least, not yet.
Thus, Aaron kept his promise. Even on the way to the ballroom, he didn’t utter a word to Ariella, nor did he spare her a glance.
Watching his back, Ariella smiled with satisfaction.
‘Looks like he’s spoken well.’
From the way he carried himself, it seemed he wouldn’t ask her to dance at the ball either. Even with a mask on, there wouldn’t be a noble who wouldn’t recognize him, so rumors would spread quickly.
Sure enough, as soon as they arrived at the mansion where the ball was held and stepped down from the carriage, all eyes were on them.
From the start, Aaron had no intention of hiding his presence. The small mask that merely covered his eyes and the fiery hair he didn’t bother to conceal made that clear. He was someone who loved to show off, after all.
“Welcome, Your Highness! Arriving late as always, I see.”
“Oh dear. It’s embarrassing to be recognized so quickly. This is supposed to be a masked ball, after all.”
“Haha, even with a mask on, it’s hard not to recognize such a handsome man.”
The hostess of the ball, Lady Emily, laughed heartily as she welcomed the Crown Prince. Aaron, too, smiled back as if he had never been silent.
Ariella seized the moment to interject her greeting.
“Thank you for the invitation, Lady Emily.”
“Oh my! The little moon of the Empire has come as well. This is even more of an honor than meeting His Highness.”
Aaron turned his head away, seemingly displeased at the mention of the Empire’s moon. However, he didn’t add any further comments.
Lady Emily was the younger sister of the current Emperor, making her his aunt. He couldn’t possibly ruin his aunt’s party in the name of Lizzy.
For the same reason, he planned to pretend to be unwell today. If he didn’t ask Ariella to dance for no reason, everyone would start gossiping, making the party chaotic. Since Ariella didn’t particularly enjoy dancing, she would likely accept his lack of a dance request without question.
Soon, Aaron and Ariella were guided by a servant toward the ballroom.
As the door opened and they entered, once again, they were met with a barrage of gazes. Aaron walked slowly toward his friends, relishing the envious looks directed at him.
Nobles who were friends of both Aaron and Ariella welcomed them.
“Your Highness, it’s been a while. But who is this beside you…?”
“Oh my… Could it be, Arrie?”
The demeanor of those who spotted Ariella suddenly became awkward. Glances exchanged as they subtly gauged each other.
Seeing this, Ariella felt a surge of certainty.
‘They knew.’
No wonder their attitude toward her had been so strange during their last meeting; it seemed they had already known about Aaron’s involvement with another woman.
