07
482 Words
Standing in the center of the brilliantly lit ballroom, Vera’s gown flowed like midnight, all eyes riveted to her as she turned her gaze toward the Ninth Prince, Aiden.
Beauty. But not the kind that simply dazzled—it was an almost dangerous allure, dark and delicate, that drew people close and warned them to keep their distance.
She thought this privately, but didn’t speak it aloud. Even so, her declaration—“He’s the only one I’m interested in”—had sent a shockwave through the noble guests. For a long, suspended moment, the air was thick with stunned silence.
"What—?!"
"Wait, what—?!"
"You can’t be serious—!"
A guest nearly choked on his wine. Others whispered behind their hands, everyone’s gaze darting back and forth between Vera and the Ninth Prince.
Just then, applause rang out from the far end of the hall.
The Duke of Aldrich emerged from the shadows, his cloak billowing, eyes gleaming with pride.
"Well done! That’s my daughter—an excellent choice!"
The Duke’s laughter boomed, his approval unmistakable.
Vera glanced back at him, her expression perfectly composed.
"Father," she greeted coolly.
The Duke strode closer, studying her with a hint of mischief.
"The man you’ve chosen—he’s the very Ninth Prince I spoke to you about: Aiden."
Vera’s breath caught, a faint flutter of surprise in her chest.
No way. Did I just randomly point to the legendary Ninth Prince?
At that moment, Aiden Aldrich approached, his manner gentle and poised. He inclined his head politely.
"I’ve long heard of you, Lady Vera. Now that we’ve finally met, I see your reputation is well deserved."
Vera lowered her head, unused to such open praise, her lashes casting delicate shadows over her cheeks.
"It’s nothing... I just happened to—" she murmured inwardly, a hint of blush creeping across her face.
Aiden smiled, a warm flicker of amusement lighting his eyes.
Suddenly, Derek Aldrich—the Fourth Prince—rose from his seat, his sharp features rendered even more severe in the candlelight. His voice, as always, was cold and tinged with mockery.
"Not long ago, you swore undying devotion to me, and now you turn heartless so quickly?"
Vera met Derek’s gaze without flinching, her composure unshaken.
God, this is the man the old Vera was so obsessed with—Prince Derek. Now, with every eye on me, I have to be flawless.
She answered him with only a slight, polite smile and a nod, her manner unmistakably distant.
The message was clear: the past was over.
Derek hadn’t expected such calm dismissal; his expression darkened.
"You—!"
But Vera was already turning to Aiden, her eyes calm, her poise absolute—as if she alone commanded the room.
Aiden’s lips curved in a subtle, enigmatic smile. His gaze was clear, deep, impossible to read.
- Writer
