“Welcome, Arrie. I was worried you might not attend, so I’m glad to see your face. I was just about to have pre-dinner champagne, so please join me.”
The woman in a sparkling red dress, adorned with emerald jewelry, was Catalina.
Ariella found Catalina’s unusually welcoming attitude puzzling as she entered the dining room. Familiar faces greeted her one by one.
Wrexham, Catalina’s partner, Loveth Anders, the daughter of the Earl of Anders, Lacey Salvators, the eldest daughter of the Salvators family, and a few other noble men and women.
Despite the claim that many special and noble people had been invited, they were all familiar faces who mingled at every party.
‘They said they would introduce someone. Have they not arrived yet?’
Looking around, there were still empty seats where the hosts had not yet arrived. Two seats directly across from Ariella and one next to her were vacant.
“Oh my, Arrie! Why are you so dressed up today?”
As soon as she sat down and received her champagne, someone loudly commented on her outfit. It was Loveth Anders, one of Ariella’s other friends.
With her luscious golden curls and blue eyes, she was known among the nobility for her kind heart dedicated to helping the poor, earning her the nickname ‘Angel-like Loveth.’
She always smiled brightly at Ariella and spoke only kind words.
“Why, you usually wear dresses that your grandmother likes.”
“Hahaha! Lady Loveth, how could you say such a mischievous thing!”
“Oh my! I didn’t mean it in a bad way. I really like your grandmother!”
However, for some reason, there seemed to be a sharp thorn hidden in her words today.
Loveth, with her pretty face, earnestly denied having any bad intentions, but anyone familiar with the language of the social scene would know better.
“I was just… worried secretly if Abercorn’s situation wasn’t good since you always wore the same style. Now I feel a bit relieved.”
Even this remark came out.
‘I should tell Amira to lay out a mat.’
Ariella let out a small laugh and sipped her champagne. When she showed no reaction, another friend stepped in.
“This is champagne newly imported from the Shales region. It’s quite good, isn’t it? You won’t be able to drink this kind in the future, so enjoy it while you can.”
Thud. A large bottle of champagne was placed in front of Ariella. Catalina, who brought it, smiled kindly and patted Ariella’s shoulder.
Soon, laughter erupted from various corners. The only one not laughing was Lacey Salvators, one of Ariella’s friends, who seemed to be nervously observing the situation.
‘Everyone knows. That Lizzy is really Ariella, and that she will take everything from me in the future.’
Indeed, Aaron, who treats those of lower status like insects, would never introduce his woman as a maid to his friends.
Instead of feeling ashamed or surprised, Ariella simply nodded as if she had expected this all along.
From the moment she received the invitation, no, even when they met at the last ball, she had anticipated that such a situation could arise. Nevertheless, the reason she came here was merely to confirm it.
“I’m just joking, Arrie. You’re not upset over something like this, are you?”
“…No, I’m fine.”
“Thank goodness. It would be troublesome if you ran off crying like last time.”
Returning to her place, Catalina bent over in a showy manner and placed her hand on the back of Lord Wrexham’s hand. Lord Wrexham accepted her with a smile, but the corners of his mouth were subtly stiff.
It was a well-known story in high society that Catalina Lancashire had actively pursued Calum Wrexham and won his heart.
Some considered it romantic, but the hidden truth was that the unattractive Catalina had used all her power and wealth to win over the handsome Calum.
Moreover, it was also a story that everyone whispered about, that the womanizing Lord Wrexham had lamented to his friends about the sorrow of being sold for capital.
“Miss. The guests have arrived.”
“Oh! Finally, our special guests are here.”
Thanks to the timely arrival of the guests, Lord Wrexham was able to escape the unwanted physical contact.
Catalina jumped up from her seat and dashed past the servant. Huh. Watching her retreating figure, Lord Wrexham quietly sighed.
Soon, the door opened, and the guests everyone had been waiting for, except Ariella, appeared.
“Please greet them, every one. The prospective crown prince and princess have arrived!”
As the nobles stood and bowed their heads, Ariella lifted her gaze to see a familiar face.
A black hat adorned with a large ribbon and small pearls caught her eye.
I couldn’t help but admire her.
Lizzy, wearing the stolen hat and making a grand entrance, was truly a shock to behold as she received the warm welcome of her friends.
‘I can’t believe she actually wore that.’
