Chapter 201 - Adoration and Envy

 

I had lived a careful life since becoming aware of my past. Such was why I couldn’t believe I had made so many mistakes until now. Discouraged by the bleak days ahead, I lamented. ‘My head hurts. I should just do my best to hide away from the princess.’ That was when I met Beatrice’s eyes. The lady showed a bright smile. Strangely, I felt a sense of relief.

“I’ll invite you for some tea after that.”

Although I had done as I pleased by calling the royal princess my friend, there was no question about how friendly Bea had been to me back then. I gradually came to my senses. Beatrice—the female lead of the original novel—was merciless toward those with malicious intentions. Nevertheless, she was kind to those she considered as friends. Now that I thought about it, I was not in an adverse situation at all. There would be no hostility in the first place if I made her my friend instead of an enemy. It would be a safer route for me!

‘I would feel uncomfortable once she became involved with Mikhail, but…’ I was looking at Beatrice with such a thought when I noticed something. My expression hardened in an instant. I could see that the crown prince had his head turned toward me. Although his reputation had improved in many ways recently, his existence still terrified me. I could at least have a logical conversation with Bea, but the crown prince—by the rumors, he didn’t have common sense.

After trembling in fear for a moment, a realization dawned upon me. I had been staring at the crown prince for at least a minute or so.

‘I must have gone crazy!’ I hurriedly lowered my eyes in fear as cold sweat ran down my neck. ‘Will I be okay?’ I was in the middle of my desperate attempts to calm my pounding heart when I heard murmurs around me.

“Oh my goodness, isn’t Her Highness beautiful?”

“Agreed! How could she be so composed and elegant at such a young age? By the way—”

“His Highness is wearing a mask today as well.”

“Yes, I was just about to say that. I thought I would finally see his face today…”

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A myriad of people watched the couple enter the banquet hall. Still, I was afraid that I had irritated the madman. I had dressed in an unremarkable color on purpose. Why was he paying attention to me? Clenching my fists, I recalled the things Max had told me and thought, ‘No, I’m just being excessively self-conscious. He might not have been looking at me.’

Perhaps it was because of the hope I had received from Beatrice that I was able to think optimistically. I decided that people weren’t as interested in others as I’d always thought. Besides, the prince couldn’t have noticed me amid so many people.

‘Don’t worry,‘ I comforted myself.

* * *

Doubts piled up as Max walked down a long hallway to the banquet hall. He believed Beatrice was going to make a great fuss about the mask. However, she was unusually quiet today. The unexpected reaction made Max feel uncomfortable. He would be stuck with his stepsister all day—it would be no fun if she remained indifferent like this for the rest of the ball.

The two walked nonstop in silence and arrived at the entrance of the hall before they knew it.

“Princess Beatrice Evelyn Assiette and her partner Crown Prince Maximillian Cassein Assiette will now enter!”

Hearing the loud announcement, the prince entered the atrium hand-in-hand with the princess. He soon felt Beatrice squeeze his hand tightly in nervousness. Although she remained silent, Max could tell from her expression that she was excited by the view before her. Turning his gaze slightly away, he scanned the court.

Noblemen and women dressed in colorful clothes showed their respect by bowing. The scenery was pretty as a picture, but all of it was boring to Max. That was when he spotted a faint light. Max also realized Beatrice was captivated by the very same person.

‘She’s lovely as always.’

His lady stood amid the large crowd; she was wearing a sky blue dress which only increased her resemblance to an angel. The topaz ornaments adorning her silver hair shone beautifully under the chandeliers. When he realized she was wearing one of the accessories he had gifted, Max’s heart began thumping in excitement. The corners of his lips rose without him knowing. He was now looking forward to the answer she would give today.

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