‘Even so, to call my person over without permission and scold her…’
Ariella frowned and approached Lizzy.
She intended to quickly bring her behind her to protect her from her father and fiancé.
However, Lizzy’s voice that followed caught her steps.
“It’s me.”
Lizzy, looking as beautiful as any noble lady, cried out with tears glistening in her large eyes.
“I’m the real Ariella!”
While linking her arm with Aaron’s.”
Lizzy’s small hand carefully grasped Aaron’s forearm.
To be precise, it was more like she was leaning on his arm to support herself rather than just crossing her arms.
Lizzy’s delicate body trembled as if standing was a burden, and Aaron extended his arm to prevent her from falling. Very gentlemanly.
Ariella watched the scene in silence.
‘What did I just hear…?’
She was often praised for her sharpness, but at this moment, she was slow to grasp the situation.
Her whole body felt frozen, while her heart raced wildly, as if it had accepted the incomprehensible situation before her mind could.
“I couldn’t believe it at first, I really couldn’t…”
Lizzy exhaled raggedly, biting her red lips repeatedly.
Drip, drip. Tears that clung to her eyes fell down her pale cheeks, staining the carpet. The sight was so pitiful that even Ariella felt a pang in her heart.
“I… I am really Ariella.”
Only after hearing the same words twice did Ariella confront the reality before her.
The maid she cherished more than anyone, the Lizzy who said it was as if we were destined to resemble each other.
Now she was not just imitating her but was trying to become her entirely.
‘No way…’
Ariella swallowed her words bitterly.
In truth, she already knew.
That Lizzy’s gaze upon her was not kind.
Lizzy was not someone who lacked perception; rather, she was quick to read the room and had stretched out her feet to find a place to lie down.
She knew this but had chosen to turn a blind eye. She thought that a certain degree of indulgence would suffice if she just wrapped her up within her limits.
But now, Lizzy had far exceeded the range that Ariella could protect.
“Lizzy.”
Ariella’s deep voice resonated softly in the spacious study.
Lizzy continued to shed tears without answering. Her head remained fixed in the direction of the Duke.
As she gazed at the woman who wouldn’t spare her a glance, Ariella sighed softly.
Impersonating a noble is a grave crime. Moreover, since the name she impersonated was that of an Abercorn, Lizzy would inevitably face severe punishment. Especially since this incident had occurred in front of her father, she could not cover it up by her own means.
Ironically, rather than worrying about losing her own position, Ariella was concerned for Lizzy’s safety.
That was how unrealistic Lizzy’s challenge was. The probability of the Duke of Abercorn believing her words was less than the chance of being struck by lightning while standing still in the house.
“How dare you…!”
As expected, the Duke’s face was filled with rage as he exhaled angrily.
“Bringing in someone who was begging in the slums and treating her beyond her station, and now she dares to act like a mistress. Do you truly wish for your safety after this?”
As the thunderous reprimand fell, Lizzy was startled and lost her balance. Thanks to her grip on Aaron’s arm, she managed to avoid falling, but the sight further irritated the Duke.
“How dare a lowly girl lay hands on anyone! Your Highness, I apologize for this disgraceful display. I will handle it immediately.”
The Duke of Abercorn gestured to the soldiers waiting outside.
As the soldier approached with heavy steps, Lizzy’s face turned pale in an instant. She knew that if she were dragged out by that hand, she would never see the light of day again.
Ariella hurriedly stepped toward Lizzy. It was an instinctive action.
But at that moment, an unexpected figure stepped in front of Lizzy before her.
“Wait.”
It was Aaron, Ariella’s fiancé.
“Let’s hear a bit more. I’ve heard there’s evidence.”
“Excuse me?”
At the Crown Prince’s words, everyone in the study was taken aback, their eyes widening.
The Duke, the head maid, the guards, and even Ariella.
Aaron was kind to ladies, but he was not genuinely warm, especially towards those who were not of noble birth, which made Ariella worry about that aspect.
However, the way he stood protectively in front of Lizzy was surprisingly gentle. The very act of offering his arm to support a maid’s condition was entirely unlike him.
Questions that had lingered in her mind began to fit together one by one.
And at the moment she finally reached a conclusion, Ariella’s body, which had been as stiff as a pillar, swayed.
She let out a soft groan and covered her face. This allowed her to hide the trembling shape of her lips.
