NRAL CH 12

Chapter 12

 The Reason Nora Was Chosen

Like a true villain, Eleanor stepped into Nora’s room without asking for permission. 

Nora’s maids were shocked and tried to stop her, but since Eleanor was still the Lady of Astria, they couldn’t dare touch her. 

Eleanor quickly made her way to the bed where Nora was resting, leaning against the headboard. She greets her with smile.

“Hello, Nora.”

Usually, Nora was busy running around the house, but today she seemed to be taking a break in her room. It was a good thing, as it meant Eleanor didn’t have to be cautious about the conversation in front of others.

“Is your face alright? Oh dear, your lips are still a mess.”

Even though days had passed, Nora’s lips were still swollen from the slap. 

It seemed that Eleanor’s powerful strike had done its job well. She felt a small sense of pride in her strength.

Thinking back, even at the orphanage, she had always won fights over bread with other kids her age. 

After making them bleed, little Eleanor would even force them to forgive her, saying, “Forgive the wicked!” Luke had scolded her later, saying that wasn’t the right way to use those words.

“Oh, Ellie. Did you come here to apologize to me?” Nora asked in a sweet voice, tilting her head innocently. 

Even though she must have been surprised by the sudden visit, she replied playfully. It was impressive how calm she seemed.

“Not at all. I just came to ask if you know something,” Eleanor replied.

“What do I need to know?”

“I’m going to the ball tomorrow with Arlo as my partner.”

Nora scoffed.

“Do you really think I’d care? Are you afraid the prince might be interested in you now?”

Just as Eleanor didn’t need to hold back, neither did Nora. 

The maids were gone, so there was no need to pretend to be kind anymore.

“Hahaha! Ellie, did you really hear what he said that day? If you did, you wouldn’t be this delusional. What did he say again? Something about you being as skinny as a skeleton and looking like a beggar from the streets? That he didn’t even feel like touching you?”

Nora brought up that day, trying to tear apart Eleanor’s pride. But Eleanor’s expression remained calm, as if it didn’t affect her at all.

Of course, it didn’t. Why would she be hurt by a man she didn’t love, who was only showing off to win another woman’s body? Thinking about the things Arlo had done to her, she felt more satisfied than hurt.

“Did you know, Nora?”

Eleanor slowly walked towards Nora’s bed, her heels clicking on the floor. The very bed where her fiancé had grabbed another woman’s body while calling Eleanor’s name. The thought made her laugh bitterly.

Leaning down, she whispered a secret.

“He always wanted to have me.”

Just thinking about it made her shudder, but Eleanor spoke the words with a calm heart.

“But I refused him, and that upset Arlo.”

Nora’s pupils trembled slightly. 

Arlo had claimed that he didn’t care about Eleanor’s body at all. 

He said it right on this bed. 

But deep down, Eleanor knew better. She knew Arlo wasn’t that kind of man. 

In fact, he was probably desperate to have Eleanor, and that she had held back probably made his desire to own her even more.

“That’s why he chose you.”

“…What?”

“The reason he picked you, the reason he grabbed your loose flesh and called my name—it was all because of that.”

Eleanor’s mocking gaze drifted to Nora’s exposed neckline and the cleavage of her dress.

“I didn’t give him anything, but you did.”

So easily. Eleanor’s whispered words scratched at Nora’s pride. 

Her violet eyes flared with anger. 

Eleanor had insulted her, implying she had given herself up too easily, like a prostitute. 

At the same time, she was suggesting that if Eleanor had given her body to Arlo, his feelings might have changed.

‘Hah! Does she have no shame, acting so confident in that ridiculous dress?’ Nora sneered at Eleanor. She found it absurd that Eleanor, dressed so foolishly in a simple indoor gown, was acting like she was some kind of irresistible femme fatale.

(Femme fatale: A seductive woman who control others with her beauty, often leading them to danger.) 

Even if Eleanor threw away her pride and tried to seduce Arlo, he wouldn’t fall for her so easily. 

After all, her looks were too plain for Arlo’s taste. 

Besides, after all the effort Nora had put in over the years, their relationship wouldn’t crumble so easily. Arlo adored the sweet, lovable Nora now.

But a flicker of doubt crept into her heart.

Would his feelings last forever?

A month from now? A year? Would he still look only at her?

The sound of grinding teeth filled the room.

“So what? Are you planning to sell your body now, like a whore, even though you don’t love him?”

“It’s funny to hear you talk about love. If giving your body to someone you don’t love makes you a whore, what does that make you?”

Eleanor smiled as Nora raised her voice in anger. 

She knew Nora didn’t love Arlo—she was just using him. 

Eleanor understood this better than anyone because Nora wasn’t a fool. Her doubt about Arlo’s feelings proved it.

“Are you calling me a whore? Me, the future Lady of Astria?”

Nora, furious, jumped up and yelled. Eleanor clicked her tongue in pity and continued.

“Sir Ernst is right outside the door. If I scream, he’ll rush in here. Do you really want to make a scene?”

It had only been a few days since the Duke of Astria had issued a warning. Once Nora had solidified her place in the mansion, maybe things would be different. But right now, making a scene would only hurt her position.

Though Eleanor had barged into Nora’s room first, the Duke wouldn’t care. His suspicion still rested on Nora.

Realizing this, Nora clenched her teeth again.

‘I can’t fall into her trap.’

It was infuriating, but she had to endure. Until the right moment for revenge arrived. She quickly regained control of her emotions. 

Her chest was boiling with anger, but she suppressed it. She had waited for years—what was one more day?

In the end, Eleanor was still Eleanor. Dull, boring, and clueless about how to please a man.

Even if Arlo’s feelings changed, he would never look at someone like her again.

‘And if she becomes a threat later, I can just get rid of her after my plan is done.’

With her thoughts in order, Nora smiled sweetly. The redness on her face faded, and her voice returned to its usual calm tone.

“…Alright, Ellie. Give it your best shot. I hope the ball tomorrow will be a fun memory for you.”

With that, Nora turned her head away, acting as if Eleanor didn’t exist. It was a clear dismissal.

Eleanor turned and left without hesitation. She had achieved her goal, so there was no reason to stay.

‘I’ve provoked her enough.’

Nora would definitely rush to convince Arlo as soon as Eleanor left. 

She would cry or threaten to withhold her body, doing whatever it took to ensure that at tomorrow’s ball, Arlo wouldn’t spare Eleanor a single glance.

Exactly as Eleanor wanted.

***

When Arlo came to pick up Eleanor for the ball, his face was so dark that not even his mask could hide it. Clearly, he’d had a rough time with Nora.

“Arlo, thank you for coming to get me,” Eleanor said, smiling as if she knew nothing. Her eyes curved beautifully under the mask, and Arlo looked taken aback. He hadn’t expected her to be so kind after finding out about his relationship with Nora.

Eleanor took it further, apologizing in a soft voice.

“I’m… sorry for what happened at Count Lambert’s estate. Actually, I wanted to attend the ball to tell you this.”

“…What?”

“I raised my voice to you that day, and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. It’s embarrassing, but… I was jealous…”

Eleanor lowered her head, looking shy. She bit her pink lips gently, making her seem even more embarrassed.

Arlo, watching her, felt like he was going crazy. Though he could only see half of Eleanor’s face as she glanced up at him, she looked stunning. Her outfit still didn’t match his taste, but at a masquerade ball, everyone dressed unusually, so it wasn’t embarrassing.

What struck his heart more than her beauty, though, was her behavior.

The great Eleanor Astria was acting so gently!

She had always been so proud and dignified, even in front of the crown prince like Arlo. She’d hold her head high and avoid any attempt to touch her. 

She had always been arrogant. But today, Eleanor’s white cheeks were flushed red, and she was humbly bowing her head, saying it was due to jealousy. It sent a thrill of victory through Arlo’s chest.

He wanted to run his hands across her skin to reaffirm his victory, but there was one problem.

“Damn it, why today of all days?”

Why was she showing herself like this now? Arlo couldn’t act too friendly today. He couldn’t wrap his arm around her shoulder or hold her hand. This was because of the promise he had made to Nora.

“Your Highness, I heard you’re going to the ball with Ellie tomorrow?” Nora asked.

“Yeah. It’s not because I want to go, so don’t be upset,” Arlo replied.

“I’m fine. I don’t blame you. I understand a man has important things to do. I just… I’m worried your feelings might change. I think it would be better if we didn’t meet this week. I don’t want to upset you and show you a bad side of myself,” Nora said, her voice filled with concern.

“Wait, Nora. There’s no way that would happen. Why would I like that skinny woman?” Arlo asked.

“Yes, I trust you, Your Highness. But…” Nora paused.

The previous night, after receiving a message, Arlo had secretly gone to meet Nora, only to be displeased by what she said. Nora wanted to avoid meeting him this week and seemed unwilling to be with him.

He was frustrated, but he pushed it down and reassured her, “I promise. Tomorrow at the ball, I won’t say a word to Ellie.”

“But Your Highness, you’ll have to dance with her. How can you say that?” Nora asked, surprised.

“I won’t even dance with her. Will that make you believe me?”

“Oh, Your Highness…” Nora whispered, relieved.

“Then, no more talk about not meeting. Understood?”

Nora immediately softened, burying her face in Arlo’s chest. She didn’t resist his hands reaching out to her. He liked this about her—her simplicity and obedience. She was like a pet that followed him faithfully.

But right now, he regretted the promise he had made to Nora. 

The way things were now felt different compared to earlier. 

His feelings had changed after seeing Eleanor act so differently.