Episode 65

I watched for a moment, then deliberately smiled brightly in return.

Aria flinched slightly at my smile.

‘So, this is how she intends to steer things.’

It wasn’t as if I didn’t have any scars from my time on the streets.

‘It was a rough place, after all.’

But the majority of my scars came from Seth.

The most visible scars—the ones everyone was scrutinizing—were all carved by Seth, far worse than anything I’d gotten from the streets.

‘Didn’t you see it all?’

Aria had witnessed Seth’s violent behavior toward me several times.

Not just Seth, but Servi’s actions as well.

And yet, for her to say those things and shift public opinion like this… It could only mean one of two things.

First, Seth and Servi genuinely convinced her that my scars came from my life on the streets.

Second, she knows the truth but…

Even as a quiet shock rippled through me, I maintained my smile.

Just then, someone murmured nearby.

“Well, being from the streets isn’t exactly something to be proud of.”

Unintentionally, the comment set the stage perfectly for what I was about to say.

I took Aria’s hand and spoke.

‘You really understand me so well, Aria,’ I said with a voice dripping with sweetness.

“What?” she said, startled.

“You and I, we’re both from the streets, aren’t we, Aria?”

At my words, the air in the room shifted. It was as though a collective gasp rippled through the crowd, followed by a stunned silence. Even the person who had made the earlier remark about the streets audibly swallowed their words.

The atmosphere had turned delicate, the affection-filled gazes directed toward Aria now filled with unease.

‘For all its flaws, this hierarchical world can be surprisingly useful at times,’ I thought.

Most of the people here had been born into privilege and high status.

To them, the idea of a noblewoman from the streets, whether it was me or Aria, was undeniably a flaw.

‘Of course, unlike me, Aria’s true origins are noble.’

But reminding everyone of her background, her time spent living on the streets, would undoubtedly make some people view her differently.

Aria had spent more time on the streets than I had. If she made even the slightest mistake, everyone would remember she was a street-raised noblewoman.

‘Just as they’ve seen me as the ashes of the social world.’

I could sense the realization dawning on some of the attendees as they exchanged glances.

I continued, taking advantage of the moment.

“Truly, we’re like sisters, aren’t we?”

“…”

Aria slowly smiled, but there was an undeniable awkwardness to it. I acknowledged her strained smile and turned away.

“Still, Lady Aria has such a kind heart, don’t you think?”

“Of course, no doubt about it.”

A few young ladies, loyal to Aria, attempted to soothe the situation with flattery.

‘Even their words sound like a misstep,’ I thought.

‘They’re essentially saying, “Even if she grew up on the streets, at least her heart is pure.”’

I turned away from their awkward smiles and took in the beautiful hall of the villa.

The columns adorned with summer flowers and the indoor pool where I’d been doused earlier came into view.

I decided against retiring early and instead opted to stay and flaunt my cape a little longer. After all, the cape, with its embroidery suggested by Chris, suited me perfectly.

I noticed some of the fashion-conscious young ladies eyeing me with envy and interest.

‘If Helena were here, she’d be ecstatic about the attention. She’d probably push for even more dress orders on the spot,’ I mused.

Helena could be infuriating as an opponent but surprisingly reliable as an ally.

Suppressing a hint of regret, I gracefully navigated through the crowd, drawing their stares while pretending not to notice.

“Lady Reinhardt.”

The Crown Prince had caught up to me. Unlike the others, who only stole glances, he moved with purpose.

It seemed the aura of ‘Don’t interfere’ radiating from him had kept others at bay.

“Shall we walk together? The villa’s garden is quite beautiful this time of year. Would you care to see it?”

“If Your Highness is leading the way, I’d be honored.”

Aside from the fact that I’d be walking with the Crown Prince, there was no harm in showing off my attire to more people.

The Crown Prince elegantly offered his arm, and I placed my hand on it without hesitation. As he leaned in slightly, he murmured near my ear.

“As I said earlier, you grow more beautiful the longer I look at you.”

“You flatter me.”

“No, I mean it.”

It was the kind of gallantry one might expect from a male lead. But his next words, spoken in a low voice only I could hear, sent a chill down my spine.

“The scar on your shoulder blade… It looks like it came from a fire iron. Am I correct?”

“…”

“And the long one down your spine… A whip, perhaps? Judging by its depth, it must have been made of rawhide.”

For a moment, I couldn’t speak. I looked into the Crown Prince’s piercing blue eyes, which gleamed with a disturbing light.

Beneath his usual elegance, there was a cruelty that made my skin crawl.

‘This man is insane.’

I forced a polite smile, masking my unease.

The Crown Prince misinterpreted my expression, mirroring my smile with one of his own. His chiseled features remained as captivating as ever, drawing furtive glances from the young ladies in the garden.

“So, I was right,” he said with satisfaction.

“Close enough.”

“And the long scar on your neck… That one’s a bit tricky.”

“Do you find guessing the origins of my scars entertaining?” I asked, my tone laced with sarcasm.

He seemed too absorbed in his musings to notice.

“Hmm, I wonder what caused it?”

There was a strange heat in his gaze as he examined me. His fingertips twitched slightly, as if he were restraining himself.

It was as if the severity of my scars only fueled his fascination.

“Roses always bloom with thorns,” he murmured.

“…”

“You truly are captivating. Do you know that?”

“I am deeply honored to hear such words from Your Highness.”

“Did you choose the embroidery? Your eye for detail is impeccable. It complements your form perfectly.”

As he spoke, his gaze lingered on my neck, where the scar he couldn’t identify lay exposed.

“A touch of mystery always adds flavor, don’t you think?”

I smiled faintly in response.

‘How could I forget? Before his redemption arc, this man was a complete lunatic.’

Or perhaps even after it.

I thought back to the Crown Prince’s radiant smile as he’d cruelly tortured me.

I watched for a moment, then deliberately smiled brightly in return.

Aria flinched slightly at my smile.

‘So, this is how she intends to steer things.’

It wasn’t as if I didn’t have any scars from my time on the streets.

‘It was a rough place, after all.’

But the majority of my scars came from Seth.

The most visible scars—the ones everyone was scrutinizing—were all carved by Seth, far worse than anything I’d gotten from the streets.

‘Didn’t you see it all?’

Aria had witnessed Seth’s violent behavior toward me several times.

Not just Seth, but Servi’s actions as well.

And yet, for her to say those things and shift public opinion like this… It could only mean one of two things.

First, Seth and Servi genuinely convinced her that my scars came from my life on the streets.

Second, she knows the truth but…

Even as a quiet shock rippled through me, I maintained my smile.

Just then, someone murmured nearby.

“Well, being from the streets isn’t exactly something to be proud of.”

Unintentionally, the comment set the stage perfectly for what I was about to say.

I took Aria’s hand and spoke.

‘You really understand me so well, Aria,’ I said with a voice dripping with sweetness.

“What?” she said, startled.

“You and I, we’re both from the streets, aren’t we, Aria?”

At my words, the air in the room shifted. It was as though a collective gasp rippled through the crowd, followed by a stunned silence. Even the person who had made the earlier remark about the streets audibly swallowed their words.

The atmosphere had turned delicate, the affection-filled gazes directed toward Aria now filled with unease.

‘For all its flaws, this hierarchical world can be surprisingly useful at times,’ I thought.

Most of the people here had been born into privilege and high status.

To them, the idea of a noblewoman from the streets, whether it was me or Aria, was undeniably a flaw.

‘Of course, unlike me, Aria’s true origins are noble.’

But reminding everyone of her background, her time spent living on the streets, would undoubtedly make some people view her differently.

Aria had spent more time on the streets than I had. If she made even the slightest mistake, everyone would remember she was a street-raised noblewoman.

‘Just as they’ve seen me as the ashes of the social world.’

I could sense the realization dawning on some of the attendees as they exchanged glances.

I continued, taking advantage of the moment.

“Truly, we’re like sisters, aren’t we?”

“…”

Aria slowly smiled, but there was an undeniable awkwardness to it. I acknowledged her strained smile and turned away.

“Still, Lady Aria has such a kind heart, don’t you think?”

“Of course, no doubt about it.”

A few young ladies, loyal to Aria, attempted to soothe the situation with flattery.

‘Even their words sound like a misstep,’ I thought.

‘They’re essentially saying, “Even if she grew up on the streets, at least her heart is pure.”’

I turned away from their awkward smiles and took in the beautiful hall of the villa.

The columns adorned with summer flowers and the indoor pool where I’d been doused earlier came into view.

I decided against retiring early and instead opted to stay and flaunt my cape a little longer. After all, the cape, with its embroidery suggested by Chris, suited me perfectly.

I noticed some of the fashion-conscious young ladies eyeing me with envy and interest.

‘If Helena were here, she’d be ecstatic about the attention. She’d probably push for even more dress orders on the spot,’ I mused.

Helena could be infuriating as an opponent but surprisingly reliable as an ally.

Suppressing a hint of regret, I gracefully navigated through the crowd, drawing their stares while pretending not to notice.

“Lady Reinhardt.”

The Crown Prince had caught up to me. Unlike the others, who only stole glances, he moved with purpose.

It seemed the aura of ‘Don’t interfere’ radiating from him had kept others at bay.

“Shall we walk together? The villa’s garden is quite beautiful this time of year. Would you care to see it?”

“If Your Highness is leading the way, I’d be honored.”

Aside from the fact that I’d be walking with the Crown Prince, there was no harm in showing off my attire to more people.

The Crown Prince elegantly offered his arm, and I placed my hand on it without hesitation. As he leaned in slightly, he murmured near my ear.

“As I said earlier, you grow more beautiful the longer I look at you.”

“You flatter me.”

“No, I mean it.”

It was the kind of gallantry one might expect from a male lead. But his next words, spoken in a low voice only I could hear, sent a chill down my spine.

“The scar on your shoulder blade… It looks like it came from a fire iron. Am I correct?”

“…”

“And the long one down your spine… A whip, perhaps? Judging by its depth, it must have been made of rawhide.”

For a moment, I couldn’t speak. I looked into the Crown Prince’s piercing blue eyes, which gleamed with a disturbing light.

Beneath his usual elegance, there was a cruelty that made my skin crawl.

‘This man is insane.’

I forced a polite smile, masking my unease.

The Crown Prince misinterpreted my expression, mirroring my smile with one of his own. His chiseled features remained as captivating as ever, drawing furtive glances from the young ladies in the garden.

“So, I was right,” he said with satisfaction.

“Close enough.”

“And the long scar on your neck… That one’s a bit tricky.”

“Do you find guessing the origins of my scars entertaining?” I asked, my tone laced with sarcasm.

He seemed too absorbed in his musings to notice.

“Hmm, I wonder what caused it?”

There was a strange heat in his gaze as he examined me. His fingertips twitched slightly, as if he were restraining himself.

It was as if the severity of my scars only fueled his fascination.

“Roses always bloom with thorns,” he murmured.

“…”

“You truly are captivating. Do you know that?”

“I am deeply honored to hear such words from Your Highness.”

“Did you choose the embroidery? Your eye for detail is impeccable. It complements your form perfectly.”

As he spoke, his gaze lingered on my neck, where the scar he couldn’t identify lay exposed.

“A touch of mystery always adds flavor, don’t you think?”

I smiled faintly in response.

‘How could I forget? Before his redemption arc, this man was a complete lunatic.’

Or perhaps even after it.

I thought back to the Crown Prince’s radiant smile as he’d cruelly tortured me.