"You look gorgeous!"
"I love your hair!"
"How do you keep your skin glowing like that? You have to tell us your secret!"
The questions swirled around Ariel like she was the star contestant on a noblewoman's quiz show. A circle of ladies had gathered, their voices bubbling with admiration and curiosity.
Ariel responded with a polite smile, her tone warm but measured.
"There is no secret, ladies. Just a healthy lifestyle and plenty of sunshine. That's all it takes. Really."
"Well, I beg to differ, darling."
Ariel's stomach curled in disgust. Heat bubbled in her chest.
She knew that voice.
One of the crows had finally dared to flutter near the vulture and Ariel had never felt more delighted.
She turned slowly, her movements graceful and deliberate, until she faced her second-most wanted archenemy. No matter how cunning and devious Leticia was, she would always be second.
Leticia's eyes widened the moment Ariel turned to face her.
'How… how can this be? She looks almost like… no. No, it can't be…'
The thoughts reeled through Leticia's mind as she stared at Ariel. Even with the mask, the resemblance was haunting.
Ariel tilted her head, voice sweet as honey.
"What do you beg to differ, Mrs…?"
She smirked inwardly, savoring Leticia's stunned expression. The resemblance to Anastasia was no accident and Leticia had clearly noticed.
"What's wrong, miss? You look pale… like you've seen a ghost."
"Aa… aa…"
Leticia stammered, unable to form words. The shock was still registering. Even masked, the damn woman still resembled that dead bitch far too much.
Ariel seized the moment and turned back to the noble ladies.
"You see, ladies—that's why our skin needs a little more sunshine. So when faced with unexpected… shocking events, it doesn't turn pale like this. It keeps its beautiful glow."
The ladies murmured in approval, nodding and asking when the best time to tan was to achieve such radiance.
Leticia fumed after registering the hidden insult in Ariel's words. And Ariel had completely dismissed her presence entirely, continuing her conversation as if she were invisible.
"Excuse me, ladies," Ariel said with a graceful nod.
"I need to speak with my father. If you'll excuse me."
And with that, she turned and walked away—leaving Leticia simmering in silence.
"Hey, you! Stop!"
Ariel paused mid-step and turned slowly, her expression calm, almost amused.
Leticia stood behind her, face flushed crimson—equal parts rage and humiliation. The noble ladies' mocking whispers still rang in her ears:
"Who does she think she is, questioning a goddess of beauty?"
"Does she think she's prettier? Oh my gosh, what a pitiful woman."
"Did you see how pale she turned? She looked just like a ghost! Ha!"
Their laughter stung like acid.
'How dare they. How dare they mock me! Me, Leticia Sinclair! Duchess of Florence! ' Her fury boiled beneath her skin. 'I'll make them pay. Especially her...this smug little witch who dares to look almost ike that dead bitch. I'll make her regret this.'
Ariel could see it—the gears grinding behind Leticia's eyes, the fury twisting her features. Perfect. The more enraged she became, the more spectacular her humiliation would be.
"Yes, Miss?" Ariel asked sweetly. "Can I help you with something?"
Leticia snorted.
"Oh, spare me the innocent act and that honey-drenched voice. I know exactly what you're playing at."
Ariel tilted her head, feigning confusion.
"Who, me? What did I do, Miss? What exactly am I playing at?"
"Don't insult my intelligence," Leticia snapped. "You said those sugary words to mock me. To humiliate me in front of everyone. You did it to make me look like a fool."
She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a venomous hiss.
"And let me warn you—you've made a very big mistake. I don't tolerate cunning little bitches who pretend to be sweet and innocent while they're rotten and messy inside."
Ariel's smile didn't waver. She leaned in, her voice a whisper.
"You mean… like you?"
Leticia's face contorted with fury.
"Hugh!" She gasped. "You bitch! How dare you!"
Gasps erupted around them. The ballroom froze.
Leticia blinked, realizing too late that she'd cursed the woman out loud.
'Oh shit…'
Ariel's smirk was subtle, but lethal. She turned to the crowd, her voice trembling with feigned hurt.
"I'm so sorry, Miss. I swear I didn't mean to offend you. I thought you were asking for beauty advice—just like the other ladies. I… I didn't mean to upset you." She sniffled, dabbing at imaginary tears.
"Excuse me…"
She turned and walked away, her posture graceful, her expression wounded.
The murmurs began immediately.
"The nerve."
"Unbelievable."
"Who is this vile woman without shame?"
"That's the Duchess of Florence."
"You mean the rumored adulteress's daughter? Tsk. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
"She's a snake in silk. Just because she's been outshone doesn't mean she has to act like a common guttersnipe."
"How shameless."
Ariel allowed herself a brief, satisfied smile before wiping away another phantom tear and slipping out onto the balcony.
Leticia stood frozen, as if drenched in filth. The mocking voices swirled around her like a storm. She'd lost control because that damn bitch riled her up and now she was paying for it. Heads shook. Eyes narrowed. Whispers turned to judgment.
She looked up.
The Queen Dowager was watching her from the upper floor, her expression unreadable—but unmistakably disapproving.
Leticia's stomach dropped.
'Oh crap… Aaron is going to kill me.'
She swallowed hard.
....
On the balcony, the evening breeze wove through Ariel's hair as she dabbed at imaginary tears.
Then—
"Ha. Ha. Ha."
She laughed softly to herself.
"Ha. Ha. Serves her right. That bitch."
She sighed and looked up at the moon.
"Don't worry. The fun's just beginning. Too bad I have other things to do—otherwise I'd enjoy crushing her little ego. Tsk. The bitch."
"Is the moon too ugly tonight that you feel the need to curse it?"
A voice echoed beside her.
Ariel froze.
She turned slowly to find a man standing nearby—dressed in a black and gold embroidered suit, curly hair brushing his face. His black mask gleamed in the moonlight.
'Oh shoot. Did he hear me?'
She swallowed.
"Oh… I…" she stammered.
The man chuckled.
"No need to worry, Miss. We all have our bullshit. Sometimes you've got to hurl it out before your heart starts reeking with its foul stench."
Ariel chuckled lightly, her voice sweet.
"You're right. Some filth needs to be thrown out before it drowns us."
"Mmm… but I never imagined someone as beautiful as you would carry the weight of filthy garbage. Unlike me." He turned to face the moon and sighed.
"I feel so shitty tonight. So much that the moon looks like a moldy rotten wheel of cheese. I almost wish it would fall—just to cover someone in its stink."
He whispered the last part.
Ariel raised a brow.
"Surprising. I thought men like you held the power to toss the filth—not wallow in it. Typical."
The man scoffed.
"Is that what you really think? Or are you just being sarcastic?"
"What do you think?" Ariel replied, her tone playful.
He chuckled, amused. His gaze lingered on her face, then drifted to her rosy lips, the soft swell of her chest beneath the pink lace ensemble, the pink diamond rose necklace at her neck, the curve of her waist. Her bellsome figure.
'Damn', he thought. 'This woman is beautiful.'
His heart raced. A sign of deep attraction. And he liked it.
He liked it a lot.
And the need to claim her soared.
This—this was something he'd never compete with his brother for. The beast never showed care for such things. And for once, he felt… happy. His gloom had lifted.
He smiled.
"Let's just say… it's not all what it seems. Sometimes you have to be a loser to claim a great victory."
"Oh yeah?" Ariel teased.
"So what are you planning to conquer?"
He leaned in, voice low.
"The moon and the sun. I want to conquer them both—and make them mine."
Ariel smiled, amused.
"Then I guess we have something in common… and I like it."
She glanced back toward the ballroom. Raymond was watching her, nodding slightly.
It was time.
"And I hope you'll rid yourself of the filth and finally claim your prize. Thank you for the company. I will take my leave now. Enjoy the party."
She turned to leave—but he caught her arm.
"That's rather rude, isn't it? Leaving without telling me your name."
Ariel smiled.
"Well, my good sir… isn't that the thrill of the Masquerade Ball? We leave behind memories—not names. Otherwise, where's the fun in that?"
She slipped from his grasp and glided back into the ballroom.
The mission had begun.
Eric chuckled, amused.
Then turned back to the moon and whispered.
"I will conquer you… and make you mine. One day. Don't worry."