“Wait, Lizzy.”
Ariella, having exited the study, called out to Lizzy urgently.
Lizzy followed the maid leading her as if she couldn’t hear Ariella’s voice at all.
Unable to bear it any longer, Ariella grabbed her shoulder to stop her.
“Let’s talk.”
When their eyes forcibly met, Lizzy flinched as if frightened.
How could she be so bold to stir up trouble and now seem so scared? Ariella furrowed her brows in confusion at Lizzy’s demeanor but soon realized the reason.
“Arrie, stop.”
With her fiery red hair and golden eyes symbolizing royalty, the beautiful and charming Crown Prince, whom everyone in society praised, stood confidently in front of her.
Had he taken a job as Lizzy’s personal knight without her knowing?
His attitude, as if he had forgotten who his fiancée was, was absurd.
“Aaron. I want to talk to Lizzy alone.”
“Not right now.”
“Are you afraid I’ll do something? You know me well enough by now to know I’m not that kind of person.”
“I know. You’re soft enough to be frustrating with those beneath you.”
Aaron firmly grasped Ariella’s wrist, pulling her away from Lizzy.
“But now the situation is different, isn’t it? Lizzy is no longer your subordinate, and she has no obligation to answer your call.”
Ha. Ariella scoffed.
Though she had never truly trusted him, she thought that as they were soon to be married, he would at least maintain a minimum level of loyalty. After all, she had played a part in elevating him from the second prince to the Crown Prince, so she expected at least the corresponding treatment.
Yet now, Aaron was treating her as if she were a rival to be eliminated.
Once again, her lips began to tremble uncontrollably. Ariella raised her hand to cover her mouth.
‘Calm down. Not now.’
She struggled to maintain her composure and spoke softly.
“…Whether to talk to me or not is up to Lizzy. Lizzy, you must have something to say to me too.”
Lizzy clung to Aaron’s back like a bird perched on a gnarled tree. Ariella tilted her head to meet her gaze.
Lizzy’s face quickly turned pale. Following that, her delicate shoulders began to tremble.
“I-I’m sorry, Miss. Huh, I…!”
“Arrie!”
Aaron shouted fiercely.
“Can’t you see she’s afraid? If you think you can intimidate her into giving you the answer you want, then stop.”
“Intimidate? What do you mean—”
“What else would you call forcing a conversation in this situation?”
“I never dreamed you were this kind of person.” He muttered roughly, firmly wrapping his arm around Lizzy’s shoulder and clicking his tongue.
“Let’s go, Lizzy. I’ll walk you to your room.”
“But… what about the lady…?”
“No one can stand in the way of the Crown Prince. So don’t worry and just follow me.”
“Yes…”
Lizzy glanced at Ariella before following Aaron.
The Duke of Bedford, fearing that unnecessary stories would spread, prohibited Lizzy from going outside. Not only was she unable to go out, but Lizzy was also confined to the assigned room and, naturally, was not allowed any visitors.
In response to this treatment, Aaron criticized it as excessive oppression. However, there was nothing more he could do.
No matter how much he was the Crown Prince, he could not interfere in the private matters of the Duke’s household.
Yet, despite the Duke’s efforts, news about Lizzy spread throughout the mansion in less than a day.
“Did you hear? The maid that Miss Ariella cherished has caused quite a stir!”
“Who knows what she ate to lose her mind, but apparently, she claims to be the Duke’s real daughter. Miss Ariella is the fake one.”
“Is she out of her mind? The Duke is just letting that slide? Why isn’t he kicking her out immediately?”
“No, rather than kicking her out, he even gave her the best room in the west wing. That means…”
“It means that maid could actually be the real princess.”
Rumors tend to be easily exaggerated as they pass from mouth to mouth.
This case was no exception.
At some point, among the servants, the word began to spread that the real princess lost by Bedford was Lizzy, and conspiracy theories of unknown origin started to circulate.
“They say Miss Ariella took Lizzy in as a maid for a reason. She kept her close to monitor her, fearing her lies would be exposed.”
It was a story that could only elicit laughter.
Why is it that rumors always have such power? Even the most absurd and baseless tales circulate among people as if they were undeniable truths.
Because of this, Ariella’s life became quite exhausting.
Every step she took was followed by gazes, and even the slightest expression or breath she let out added fuel to the rumors.
However, Ariella showed no reaction to this behavior. She simply maintained a calm demeanor, speculating about what would happen next, and continued her daily routine as usual.
