The sound of our racing heartbeats nearly drowned out the rustle of the grass as we reached the source of the scream. We skidded to a halt, and the scene before us was like a frozen painting.
A lady was sitting on the cold stone ground, her dress disheveled. Standing over her was another woman, tall and rigid. At first glance, it looked like a classic case of a high-society bully pushing someone down. But as I looked closer, the details didn't add up.
The woman standing didn't look angry. She didn't look guilty. Instead, she looked utterly confused, as if she were a spectator in her own nightmare.
(Auri – inner thought)
It looks like she's being bullied… but in this world, looks are the most dangerous lies. What is the truth? Who really knows what happened in the seconds before we ran in?
Beside me, the sharp-eyed girl—Neria—stayed silent. She didn't move to help, but she didn't look away either.
(Neria – inner thought)
Whatever is happening here… it's not right. The air feels staged. But in a way, this scream was a blessing. If this hadn't happened, that bratty princess and I might have actually started a magical brawl in the garden. I'll keep my mouth shut and watch.
Slowly, the silence of the garden was shattered. More guests began pouring out from the ballroom, drawn by the scream like moths to a flame. Whispers began to spread through the crowd like a virus.
"...that's the Duke's wife," someone hissed behind a fan.
"...and the other one? That's his mistress," another replied.
(Auri – inner thought)
Oh… so that's the situation. A domestic war in the middle of a gala. Now it wasn't simple anymore. Should I assume the wife is taking revenge for being betrayed? Or is the mistress playing the victim to ruin the Duchess's reputation? Well… in a den of vipers, everyone has a motive.
Just then, a voice like a crack of thunder echoed through the garden.
"What is going on here?"
Duke Alaric Dreyvorn stepped into the light. Silence fell instantly. The crowd parted like the Red Sea. He stepped forward, his eyes scanning the two women before turning to the spectators.
"I asked, what is happening here?"
No one answered. The Duke began questioning the people in the front row, one by one. His gaze was terrifying. But every guest gave the same useless reply: "We arrived later." He moved to the next group, but the answer didn't change.
Finally, his eyes landed on me and the girl beside me. We were standing closer to the center than anyone else.
"Princess… and you." His gaze shifted briefly to Neria, noting her sharp presence. "You two were here first."
Before Neria could even draw a breath to speak, I took a step forward.
"Yes, it's true that we were the first to arrive," I said, my voice clear and regal. I paused slightly, glancing at the woman on the ground. "...But we don't know what happened either. The scene was already like this when we reached it."
Alaric looked at me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine for any sign of a lie or a hidden alliance. Then he straightened. "Someone will explain what happened here. Now."
Before the Duchess could open her mouth, the mistress on the ground spoke up. Her voice was thin and trembling, the perfect sound of a broken flower.
"When I came here… she threw wine on me. And then… she pushed me." She looked up at the Duke, her eyes welling with tears. It was a performance worthy of an award.
The Duke turned toward his wife. The Duchess stayed silent for a heartbeat, her face a mask of porcelain. Then, she spoke with a calm that chilled the air.
"I did nothing. These accusations are false."
No anger. No panic. Just a steady, icy response.
Neria finally spoke up, her voice neutral and clinical. "My name is Neria Elowen. I don't know the truth of what happened before the scream, but I heard it. When we arrived… they were already in these positions."
I stepped back into the conversation. "I am Princess Aurelia Valencrest… and I would like to say something."
All eyes turned toward me. The "Angel Princess" was about to speak.
"Isn't it strange?" I looked directly at the mistress sitting on the ground. "We've been standing here for the past five minutes. And yet… she is still sitting on the ground. Even though there are so many people here, and the Duke himself has arrived."
A slight ripple of realization moved through the crowd. If she were truly hurt, wouldn't someone have helped her up? Or would she have tried to stand?
The lady quickly replied, her voice hitching. "My ankle… it's twisted. I cannot stand."
Just then, a new voice entered the fray. "Then allow me to fix that."
A boy stepped out from the shadows of the crowd.
(Auri – inner thought)
Wait… he's really cute. Like, dangerously cute. But who is he?
He stepped into the center of the circle with a confident smile. "I am Prince Lucien D'Artheon. May I have your permission?" He looked toward the Duke.
Alaric nodded solemnly.
Lucien walked toward the lady on the ground and raised his hand. A soft, vibrant green aura formed around his palm—it felt gentle, calming, and smelled like fresh grass. Within moments, the light pulsed and then disappeared.
"It's done," Lucien said simply.
The lady had no choice. She slowly stood up, testing her weight. She was perfectly fine. Not even a limp. The Duke thanked the Prince with a stiff nod.
After that, Lucien began walking toward us. My heart did a weird little skip.
(Auri – inner thought)
So this is Lucien D'Artheon… such a cute prince. But which kingdom is he from? Arthelion?
Beside me, Neria stiffened.
(Neria – inner thought)
So my brother also chose to interfere. Of course he did. He can't resist playing the hero. Neria glanced at me, her eyes narrowing as she saw my expression.
(Neria – inner thought)
Why is this princess looking at my brother like that? Does she think he's coming over to flirt with her? Please.
But Lucien didn't stop in front of me. He stopped directly in front of Neria.
"What are you doing here?" His voice softened instantly, losing its princely edge. "Are you alright?"
He reached out and gently patted her head, a gesture of pure affection. "I looked away for just a moment… and you disappeared. Don't wander off like that."
For some reason, seeing that intimacy—the way he looked at her—made a knot form in my stomach
(Auri – inner thought)
…Why does that bother me? It's just a brother and sister. Probably. Still, the way he ignored me to go to her… tched.
Before the awkwardness could settle, another voice cut through the garden.
"I know what happened here."
Everyone turned. A boy stood at a distance, leaning against a tree. He was calm, confident, and radiated a fierce, sun-kissed energy.
(Auri – inner thought)
Seriously? Why are all the boys in this world so handsome? Is it a requirement for being a royal?
He stepped forward, his eyes gold and piercing. "I am Prince Darian Helios." He looked at the Duke. "If you allow me… I can explain exactly what happened. I saw the whole thing from the balcony.
Neria looked at him, and for the first time, her "cool" mask slipped.
(Neria – inner thought)
Wow… I knew tan guys looked good, but this good? He looks like he's made of fire and trouble. I like it.
The Duke replied, his voice heavy with anticipation. "Yes. I would like to hear the truth."
And at that moment, the atmosphere grew heavy again. The mistress paled. The Duchess waited. Because now—the truth was finally about to be revealed.