They had acted as if their friendship would never change, claiming to be her best friends. Yet, they hadn’t given her even the slightest hint about Aaron’s infidelity. A wave of disappointment washed over her.
“Yes, it’s me. How could you not recognize me? How many people have blonde hair and violet eyes? Who did you mistake me for?”
Ariella pouted playfully, quickly observing her friends’ immediate reactions.
She noticed the closest woman, Julia Lancashire, the eldest daughter of the Earl of Lancashire, flinch slightly.
So, she had met Lizzy. Ariella muttered to herself.
‘It’s unlikely Julia met her alone. It seems Aaron arranged for introductions.’
This meant that most of her so-called friends here were aware of Lizzy.
The thought that everyone but her was in on it made her stomach churn. But she quickly composed herself.
Just as they didn’t consider her a true friend, she had never regarded them as such either. Thus, her curiosity outweighed her irritation.
What do they know, and how can they be of use to her in the future?
What assistance might they provide regarding Lizzy, Aaron, and the downfall of the Bedford family?
Thinking this way made her heart race instead.
“Oh, hoho. Mistaken? It’s just that Arrie hasn’t been one to attend such events. Didn’t you always dislike masked balls?”
“Yes, I did, but I’m going to try to like them from now on.”
“Oh my, that’s wonderful! Then please come to the party I’ll be hosting next time.”
“Of course, Julia. I’ll go with Aaron.”
Ariella smiled naturally, pretending to know nothing, and gently leaned her head on Aaron’s shoulder. Just enough to avoid any suspicion, very slowly.
As her small head drew closer, Aaron hurriedly swatted his arm away to avoid contact with her.
Thud!
It was strange. It seemed he had only avoided her head, yet Ariella’s hand collided with his arm and was roughly pushed away.
‘What the…’
It was unclear why Ariella had reached out in the direction Aaron was trying to avoid, but the sound was too loud.
Naturally, attention was drawn to them. Not only their friends but also those watching from afar fixed their eyes on Aaron and Ariella.
Ariella looked up at Aaron with a hurt expression. As Aaron stood there, flustered and silent, Julia quickly raised her voice to change the subject.
“Oh my! It seems the dance music is about to start. Everyone will be dancing, right?”
Unfortunately for Aaron, this was not a good topic either.
He had intended to lightly mention feeling unwell, but the recent incident had drawn all eyes to him. If he wasn’t careful, baseless rumors could arise, further provoking the already tense Duke of Bedford.
‘Damn it, why do I have to go through all this just to appease a woman…!’
Now, feeling irritated, he realized that to obtain something valuable, one must endure some hardship. He sighed and slowly chose his words in his mind.
And at that moment, Ariella seized the opportunity and spoke first.
“Aaron. Will you dance with me…?”
Her trembling lips concealed as she looked up at him were pitiful. Her eyes were glistening, as if she might cry at any moment.
Though her voice was soft, it was loud enough for those focused on them to hear. Her pleading, love-seeking demeanor piqued the interest of the nobles gathered in the ballroom. As Aaron hesitated to respond, the curiosity only grew.
‘Goodness, what’s going on here?’
‘Weren’t they not getting along? They’re getting married in just a few months, so why is she acting like that?’
‘His attitude was a bit strange just now; could it be that he won’t dance with her?’
The discord between the future Crown Prince and his fiancée was a scandalous topic indeed.
Whispers echoed from all around. Aaron, who wanted to avoid this situation, frowned and bit his lip.
Why did it have to be today that she clung to him like this, making things awkward? Rather than feeling sorry for Ariella, who would be rejected in front of so many people, he found it bothersome. It was nice to see her acting demure for a moment, but now it was just irritating.
The gazes that had been so lively just moments ago turned sour. How dare they speak of someone who would become Emperor based on their whims? It was quite distasteful to act so brazenly, relying on the anonymity of the masked ball.
“I think I’ll take a break today because I’m tired.”
Thus, he irresponsibly left with just a few words. Despite claiming to be tired, he headed off to drink.
As the Crown Prince waved his hand and departed, groans erupted from various corners. Looks of pity and mockery now solely focused on Ariella.
Her friends, sensing the tension, hurriedly retreated, and other nobles merely watched from a distance, not approaching her.
