Chapter 109
“It’s hard to believe how much has happened in such a short time. So many things have changed.”
Memories flashed through my mind like a panorama.
In that mix were good memories, bad ones, and some unfamiliar ones too.
“I never thought I’d be dancing with you here when I first met you, did you?”
“Well…”
Aden gave a vague response to my playful question.
“Well…?” I tilted my head.
Did that mean he knew? Aden smirked at my changing expression.
“If I were to love someone and become their man or husband, I thought that the person who made me fall for them would definitely be someone way more amazing than me.”
His quiet voice flowed slowly, like a lullaby, tickling my ears.
“When I saw you, not scared at all when we first met, I thought you might be the one to make me fall for you.”
“…”
“And you turned out to be even more wonderful and amazing than I expected. Honestly, I feel a bit shy thinking that I’m pursuing someone like you.”
Suddenly, I was reminded of the greenhouse behind Aden, illuminated by the chandelier light.
The warmth from that day, not too long ago, still lingered.
He had held my hand and held me close, just like now.
All the grudges I thought wouldn’t easily fade were slowly melting away, all thanks to Aden.
“There are times when holding your hands feels overwhelming and undeserved. But I have no intention of letting go.”
“What if I ask you to let go?”
For a moment, Aden seemed to hesitate, but it was just a fleeting moment.
That uncertainty quickly disappeared, and he regained his calm demeanor.
Aden tightened his grip on my hand.
That was his answer.
“I’d let go anytime if I stopped liking you, but if that’s not the case, there’s no reason to let go.”
“Do you realize that sounds possessive?”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“Well…”
I pretended to think for a moment, tilting my head again before breaking into a slow smile.
“I’m not sure.”
With a smile, I replied, and Aden narrowed his eyes at me.
He looked like he was about to say something disapproving, his lips moving as if to speak.
Just then—
Thud!
It felt like I bumped into someone from behind, causing our legs to tangle and our bodies to tilt at the same time.
In an instant, I felt the string of my mask slip from my ears as I stumbled backward.
Before I could even react, my face was completely exposed.
“Watch out!”
Just as I was about to hit the floor, a firm arm wrapped around my back, catching me.
At the same time, I heard a soft voice in my ear.
My tilting body stopped, and as I looked up at the ceiling, I saw a thick darkness above me.
And then, warm, soft sensations pressed against my lips.
The arm that steadied my falling body was Aden’s, and his kiss covered my exposed face.
A gentle melody signifying the end of the song flowed softly into my ear.
Amidst my disheveled breathing, Aden’s regular breath settled around me.
As my breath gradually steadied and my thoughts returned to normal, Aden pulled away from my lips.
“Do you get it now?”
Every time Aden’s lips moved, that sensation was vividly transmitted to me.
As he stepped back, the mask slipped back onto my face.
Behind Aden, the light flooded in, illuminating everything.
“Second time.”
Suddenly, I caught a whiff of the scent from the greenhouse again.
That rich aroma was coming from Aden.
* * *
At the moment Alisa tripped Sierra, she tried to check her face.
But thanks to Aden’s intervention, she ended up drawing even more attention instead.
Alisa, who thought she was the star of the party, bit her lip as the situation unfolded oddly, contrary to her plans.
Gred stared at Alisa, who had just bumped into Sierra, with a bewildered look on his face.
Even though there had been an argument just moments ago, did it really need to escalate this much?
Gred, unable to understand Alisa’s behavior, could only do one thing.
“What the…?!”
He grabbed Alisa’s frozen hand and moved her to the side.
Alisa, unwilling to be dragged along, tensed her hand, forcing Gred to loosen his grip.
She glared up at Gred with narrowed eyes.
“What is the meaning of this?”
“That’s what I want to ask. Do you really not know what you just did?”
“What do you mean, what did I do?”
Gred looked at Alisa, who was being audacious, with incredulity.
He knew she hated losing, but this was beyond ridiculous.
Not only did she trip someone on purpose, but now she was acting like she didn’t know what happened.
“Alisa, do you even know who you bumped into?”
“There’s no way I could.”
“Then what made you think you could pull that stunt? What if it had been a princess? What if it had been Princess Bozbourne? What would you have done then?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. There’s no way a princess would show up at a dance like this, and Princess Bozbourne wouldn’t be here either.”
Alisa crossed her arms and looked up at Gred defiantly.
“Do you really think I’d get blamed for tripping someone in that situation? I don’t understand why you brought me here just to scold me.”
“Right now…”
Gred opened his mouth to respond to her absurd comments, but instead let out a hollow laugh.
It felt like no matter what he said, it wouldn’t matter.
She was convinced she was right about everything.
Gred quietly studied Alisa with a complicated expression as he thought things through.
“Looks like I’ve been misjudging people all this time.”
“What did you say?”
“I knew you were spoiled being the daughter of a marquis family, but I never thought you’d act this recklessly and carelessly.”
The words that came out of my fiancé’s mouth, whom I thought would comfort me, were completely unexpected.
Alisa was taken aback and tried to speak, but Gred’s words came first.
“If you keep acting so recklessly, it might be best for you to take some time away.”
“Y-You’re saying that to me…?”
Alisa turned around, staring blankly at Gred’s retreating back.
Did he really think she’d just get ditched in this situation? She couldn’t close her mouth in disbelief.
Born into the Polisia marquis family, she had always been coddled and heard nothing but nice things.
Everyone had worked hard to get on her good side.
While she might not have been as good as Bellieta, she never thought she was lacking anywhere.
But now, he was saying he’d ditch me?
Alisa, stunned into silence by the absurdity, eventually glared at Gred in anger.
She took a step to chase after him.
“Pfft.”
Just as her feet were about to leave the ground, a laugh floated over from behind.
Startled, Alisa turned her head.
Rubyche, who had been hiding behind a pillar, stepped out.
Alisa didn’t even need to ask; Rubyche was smirking like she already knew everything that had just happened.
Alisa’s face flushed red as she realized she had just shown her most undesirable side to someone she wanted to avoid being seen by.
With a twisted smile, Rubyche approached Alisa, rolling her eyes up and down.
Without saying anything, just rolling her eyes made Alisa feel a wave of shame wash over her, as if she was exposed.
“W-What are you doing right now?!”
“Why? Is there a problem? I was just checking to see if you were okay.”
Rubyche rolled her eyes again and glanced in the direction where Gred had just disappeared.
Slowly nodding, she broke into a grin.
“Well, I guess that could happen. The Bozbourne princess also got ditched at her engagement, so who’s to say you wouldn’t?”
“Are you mocking not just me, but the princess too?”
“Mocking? I’m just stating the facts as they are.”
Rubyche took a step back from Alisa, who was clearly rattled.
“Don’t worry too much. I’ll keep this a secret.”
“Really?”
“Of course. You brought a guy to the ball and caught everyone’s attention, then ended up getting ditched by him that same day.”
“…”
“If word gets out, you won’t be able to show your face around here.”
Rubyche smiled sweetly at the stiffening Alisa.
“Don’t stress too much. If possible, I’ll take this secret to my grave.”
If possible.
Rubyche’s quiet laugh was laced with a meaning Alisa understood.
‘If you don’t want it to get out, you better keep your mouth shut.’
Alisa forced a smile to keep her expression from crumbling.
As she glared at Rubyche’s back, which was turning with a cheerful demeanor, she finally slumped down in annoyance.
She had been trying to mess with Palieva, but now she was stuck dealing with some strange girl instead.
Frustrated, Alisa scratched her head, but it wouldn’t change anything.
In the end, she was the only one who had to deal with the consequences of messing with Sierra.
* * *
The ball wrapped up without any major issues.
Contrary to her worries, there were no accidents.
Rubyche, who had been worried sick, emerged from the ball unscathed.
Alisa had stayed until the end, thinking she’d communicate with Rubyche, but strangely enough, she had disappeared after the midway point.
When asked where she had gone, Rubyche just smiled brightly.
With Alisa gone, the young ladies who had hoped to ride the Bozbourne wave turned back to Rubyche.
Rubyche smiled on the outside, but the other ladies, with their bat-like tenacity, were all ready to cut her down.
Regardless of the process, Rubyche managed to return to her spot without any issues.
