The young man's ability to discover Eleanor's residence astounded her. Who may Adrian have gotten information about Eleanor's house from informants?
She didn't even tell him her aunt's family name or her own name. How, therefore, could he discover her residence?
Well, perhaps he had a lot of connections and the strength to obtain such information if he so desired. He mentioned his family's ties to Rothschild banking, didn't he?
Maybe influential and affluent families congregated together. Thus, this simply demonstrated Adrian's status.
But what was a man from a wealthy family interested in doing with Eleanor?
Such inquiries were postponed until Adrian reached out and held her hand gently.
"It's time for us to go, Eleanor. Or we'll be late for the ball."
Eleanor would have gone back inside the house because Adrian didn't answer her question immediately, but her future was at stake and the man didn't seem to have any ill intentions so Eleanor decided to trust him this time.
The two of them stepped inside the carriage. Once they were inside, Eleanor noticed Adrian staring at her every now and then. She raised a brow at him. "Is there something wrong with what I'm wearing?"
"No, you look beautiful." Adrian smiled. "I also noticed that you're wearing a ring as a necklace?"
Eleanor's face heated up. Was this rich boy saying that she should wear it properly? Eleanor touched the ring and said, "It's my choice to wear it however I like. This was a gift. It cannot fit my fingers."
"Oh…" Adrian glanced at her fingers and realized her fingers were too slender for the ring. It was his late grandmother's and she was a plump woman, so all her rings were quite big.
He knew right away that it was the same ring he gave that little girl eight years ago. And suddenly, he knew… it was her, the little girl that his family had been looking for all these years. Unfortunately, she seemed to forget about him.
Well… Adrian couldn't blame her. He looked very different then. Plus, so many things had happened in eight years and Eleanor must have more things to worry about than an injured boy whom she saved from the haunted forest.
"If you cannot wear it, why do you still keep it?" Adrian asked Eleanor with interest. "I think you can only wear the ring if you gain at least 100 kg."
Eleanor coughed violently and shook her head, "Gosh… I don't wish to gain that much weight just to be able to wear this ring."
"So? Does the ring hold an important meaning to you?" Adrian asked with a hopeful expression. "Is it gifted by someone you like?"
Eleanor shook her head. "No… I plan to sell this ring when I open my business."
"Huh?" The grin on Adrian' face suddenly disappeared. "You what? Why sell it?"
"I will need money to open my business," Eleanor replied as a matter of factly. "I don't want to rely on loans 100%."
"Uhmm.. that's a good mindset," Adrian nodded. However, he was still disappointed that she didn't seem to value the ring as he had expected. She only kept it with her while waiting for the right time to sell it.
"Right?" Eleanor smiled sweetly. "If you can really get me a loan, I will not disappoint you and work hard to pay back every single cent."
"Sounds good." Adrian nodded again. "I can't disagree with that."
"By the way, I forgot to mention that it was a masquerade ball. Do you have a mask with you?" Eleanor decided to ask. She pulled out a white mask from her bag and held it up. "If not, maybe we can find something to make an emergency mask."
"Oh, I know it's a masquerade ball. And even if it wasn't… I like wearing a mask. So, I prepared mine." Adrian grinned and took out a black mask from a jewel box. It was embedded with a tasteful touch of moonstone, but then he took out another one that was white. "Do you want to match with me?"
Eleanor pursed her lips but accepted the white mask. "Only to not make you feel left out."
"Great. We do make a fine pair," Adrian chuckled as he put on his mask. His amber eyes sparkled with earnestness. With this on his face, it would be impossible for anyone to recognize or bug him.
"You're really excited about this," Eleanor ed.
"It'll be amazing because I will be accompanied by you, Eleanor." Adrian smiled.
Eleanor couldn't believe he'd say something like that with such a genuine tone. She didn't say anything and tried to put on her mask.
Meanwhile, Adrian stole glances at Eleanor as she was trying her mask. His face behind his mask was filled with glee. The prince couldn't believe his luck. He suddenly found Eleanor in this small insignificant town called Ghoran.
And now, they got to go to a ball together. He was so excited.