Chapter 4: Chapter 4

The calm atmosphere of the ballroom gradually revived. Some of the nobles were whispering quietly, which was understandable, because the empire had long been rumoured about the terrible daughter of the duke, who hated her stepmother and younger brother. I ignored the sidelong glances and looked around the room, but Desmond was nowhere to be found. God, where could he have gone? What if something happened?

Frost crept over my skin. Painful memories seemed to squeeze my chest, preventing me from breathing. You need to calm down and keep looking. The only place where I did not look was the entrance to the imperial garden. But it was forbidden to go there. I clenched my hands into fists and headed towards the garden, a light breeze refreshing my face from the stuffy room. The imperial garden was so beautiful. I took off my uncomfortable shoes and began to look around quietly; the grass was very soft.

"Desi, can you hear me?" I quietly called the boy.

"Do you know that it is forbidden to enter here?" A threatening voice came from behind.

I shuddered and turned around. My eyes met those of the Crown Prince, gold like precious metal. He was standing on the terrace. The atmosphere around this person seemed to be completely different. He looked at me intently. His gaze was so tenacious, as if penetrating under the skin.

"Greetings, little sun of the empire." I bowed my head low. "Forgive my insolence. My little brother is missing."

"Riya, I'm here." Desmond ran out of the bushes.

"Why the hell is there so much noise again?" A guy with red hair jumped down from a tall tree.

"Ariana Valmont, what do you allow yourself? Why did you enter the garden?" The duke also stood on the terrace and glared at me. Next to him were the emperor, Kain, and Alex. Lord, why?

The search for Desmond turned into a real farce. The Duke, as always, would blame me for everything and would not understand. Although now I was more interested in what the emperor and the prince would say.

"Father, don't scold Riya, I ran away here." Desmond grabbed my arm." Your Majesty, you can punish me.

"Your Majesty, do not listen to him. He is still a child." I bowed my head and covered Desmond with me. "Who needs to be punished is me."

My hands were shaking. I was waiting for the emperor's verdict, but I heard only his loud laugh. My astonished gaze turned to the ruler. Why was he laughing?

"Derek, your kids are so friendly, and mine want to rip each other's throats out. Calm down, I will not punish anyone, you are still children." He turned to the duke. "Let's go have a drink."

As soon as they both left, I was overcome with weakness and fell to my knees.

"Riya, are you feeling sick again?" Desmond looked at me in fear.

"Desi, why are you so naughty? Do you know how worried I and mother was?" I wrapped the boy in a tight hug.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to, but I was very bored." He put his arms around my neck and put his little head on my shoulders. "Riya, I love you so much, please don't be mad."

"I'm not angry, but I was very scared for you." I kissed him on the forehead.

"So this is what the princess of the Valmont house looks like." I turned around at the voice. Next to us stood a guy with bright red hair and eyes as scarlet as blood. Aiden? Master of the Magic Tower?

Almost all the characters in the novel were gathered in one place. It did not happen in the book.

"Do you want to find yourself in bed with a fever again?" Alex was very angry.

"Lady, it looks like it's yours." Keane picked up my shoes and walked over to me.

You are returning my item to me again." I smiled at him.

"I even like it. He got down on one knee and held out his hand to me." Let me help you.

"I can handle it myself."

"No, I insist."

"Thank you." I gently took his hand and put on my shoes.

"What a sight. I thought you hated women." The crown prince clapped his hands.

"So you were wrong." Even when he answered the prince, Keane never took his eyes off me.

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"Satisfied with the performance?" Alex was still glaring at me.

"What?" I couldn't understand what he was talking about.

"You even persuaded the child to run away."

"Alex, it's not Ria's fault." Desmond grabbed my hand. "Why you do not believe me?"

"Don't try to protect her."

Resentment burned my heart. I couldn't believe he thought I was the one who caused the commotion; my patience burst like a soap bubble.

"What a moron you are." I got close to him. "When I heard your words before the dance. For a few seconds, I thought you were genuinely worried about me."

"You are too naïve." He crossed his arms over his chest. "I don't care about someone like you."

"You know what? Go to hell. I can't see or hear you anymore." I curtsied and headed back to the ballroom, taking the boy's hand tighter.

The arrogant goat took back all the good things I thought or said about him. Now I understand why Ariana didn't love him. Nobody could like him.

"Riya, are you okay?" Desmond looked at me sadly.

"Desi, don't worry. Everything is fine."

"You and Alex had a fight because of me."

"It's not because of you. We constantly quarrel with him."

"Lady Valmont, don't you think that leaving without my permission is an insult to the heir to the throne?" Prince Mikael slowly approached me like a predator approaching prey. I shielded the boy with my hand, waving his hand to leave quickly.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness. I didn't mean to offend you." I bowed my head. Today was definitely not my day.

"Okay, I'll forgive you. But tell me the truth. Are you really not involved in this turmoil?"

"And what do you think?"

"I think you are a very interesting person, Lady Valmont." A smile appeared on his lips. The thing was rubbish; these words were not intended for me, but for Bella.

"I am very flattered by your words."

"And at the expense of the recent situation, my opinion is that this is just an accident."

"Thank you for believing in my innocence."

The Crown Prince chuckled again. This man simply radiated power and danger. He played with me like a cat with a mouse and watched the reaction. Today I got the attention of the most dangerous person in the empire. I needed to be careful with my words. He was a deranged, sadistic owner who could execute me for any wrongdoing.

"You will give me a dance in honour of our acquaintance." The prince held out his hand to me.

"Of course. How can I refuse you, Your Highness?"

The aristocracy abruptly fell silent as soon as the prince and I entered the centre. Even the musicians fell silent. The crown prince waved his hand, and they began to play again. There was no single mistake in his actions, only precise, confident steps. I felt myself stumble as I prepared for the fall, and closed my eyes, but it didn't come. My hands only squeezed harder, and sharply tilted back. His breath burned my neck. I widened my eyes in surprise. The hall exploded with deafening applause.

"I hope we will repeat this dance, Lady Valmont." His penetrating whisper sounded right in my ear. " There will be a hunting competition soon. I will wait for you there."

Mikael carefully lifted me up and, kissing my hand, grinned. My knees were trembling terribly. I pulled myself together and bowed to him. There was such a huge difference between dancing with him and Alex. I noticed the main character, who looked at me with a contemptuous look. She suddenly turned away and disappeared into the crowd of aristocrats.

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