But soon, embarrassment surged.
What a ridiculous assumption this was.
The world-renowned Nobert Ashbon attending such a masquerade and asking her to dance? Just imagining it made her feel sorry for Duke Ashbon.
Spinning around lightly, Ariella danced to the music.
In a passing glance, she caught sight of Aaron, who was staring at her like a dog chasing a chicken. His golden eyes were boiling with rage.
He was angry that she had refused him and was now dancing with someone else. Truly, he was consistently mad, no matter how many years passed.
It wasn’t just Aaron who was watching her dance with the man. The hostess of the ball, Lady Emily, and many guests were also casting curious glances.
In any case, it was a somewhat satisfying outcome.
There was nothing better than this to effectively showcase the discord between her and Aaron to the people. Additionally, it would stir up Aaron’s jealousy.
She had never wished for his jealousy, but it would be useful later when she wanted to drag Lizzy into the mud.
‘I feel sorry for this man, though.’
Ariella subtly glanced up at the man’s mask.
A black bird mask with a beak. The design was impressive, completely concealing not just his face but even a single strand of hair. She wasn’t well-versed in fashion, but judging by those around her, it didn’t seem to be a popular design these days.
Even the holes for his eyes were small, making it impossible to see his pupils.
Ariella found herself focusing intently on his eyes. More precisely, on the small holes where his eyes should be.
At that moment, she felt certain that their gazes had met.
“Thank you. I don’t know who you are, but thanks to your kindness, I’ve avoided the fate of being a wallflower.”
Ariella said with a smile, as if she had never stolen a glance.
The man showed no reaction. He simply held her waist carefully and continued dancing.
‘He doesn’t want to reveal his voice.’
That was a wise decision. Who knows who might be eavesdropping and reporting his identity to Aaron? It would be better to keep everything hidden.
“I don’t know if you know I’m Princess Bedford and offered to dance with me, but it would be best for you to slip away as soon as the song ends. The prince is very… possessive.”
She sincerely advised him.
Aaron hated situations where he felt something was being taken from him more than anything else. He wanted to possess everything good: status, power, popularity, women… He had to have it all, even if it was something he didn’t want. If someone else coveted it, he would hold on tightly and never let go.
The fact that Aaron, who had tried to abandon her, was now burning with jealousy was in the same vein.
“I’m sorry, I’ve caused you trouble.”
Although the man had taken her hand first, in the end, she had used the goodwill of an innocent man for her own revenge. Feeling guilty about it, Ariella slightly bowed her head.
But at that moment, the man did something different for the first time.
The black beak slowly moved side to side. He was shaking his head.
‘It’s okay.’
She felt as if a gentle voice was coming from that small gesture.
In that moment, she couldn’t see anyone else. Aaron and the nobles were erased from her sight.
Only the crow-like mask, the warm hand supporting her waist, and the fresh scent of the breeze that wafted around her with every movement consumed all her senses.
Thud.
The man suddenly stopped.
Only then did Ariella realize that the first song had ended. It was foolish of her to lose herself in the moment, even if just for a second.
She gave a small nod to the man and turned away. Perhaps out of embarrassment, her cheeks felt hot.
‘For a moment, I felt like that man was on my side. Just from a simple shake of his head.’
How foolish to harbor such a meager expectation without even knowing who he was. Had she lost her mind after being left by her friends? Or was she unknowingly feeling lonely?
Either way, she felt utterly pathetic. Ariella shook her head in self-deprecation and walked briskly away.
“Eli!”
Just as the song ended, Aaron emerged from the crowd, grabbing her arm with a large hand, smaller than the man she had just danced with.
“Who was that person just now?”
Perhaps conscious of the surrounding eyes, he didn’t curse, but his tone was rough. It seemed he was barely holding back his anger, ready to explode at any moment.
“I don’t know. It was the first time I heard his voice.”
“Why are you dancing with a stranger? I’m here!”
As expected, his voice quickly rose. Lost in his emotions, he seemed unaware that the face of the Marchioness, who was standing not far away, was contorted.
