“Is that woman a survivor?
Who was with the Duke?”
“Hey, you people… Get back now!”
While the police shoved back the tidal wave of journalists, they too were stealing glances at Arlen.
She met the eyes of the officer named Langston from the police agency and quickly lowered her head.
A heavy coat settled over her shoulders.
It was far too large, the collar bulky enough to hide most of her face.
“Oh…”
“Keep it on,” a rich, low voice commanded, stopping her as she tried to shrug it off.
Buried in the coat as if under a blanket, Arlen peeked up to see a solid back shielding her from view.
A familiar scent filled her senses, calming her frayed nerves.
The next day, the front page of every newspaper carried the same story.
The headline dominating all the dailies was Duke Liam Crawford’s scandal.
‘DUKE LIAM CRAWFORD AND MYSTERY WOMAN RESCUED FROM EXPLOSION!
WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THEIR DIVINELY-SPARED RELATIONSHIP?’
‘WHO IS THE WOMAN DUKE CRAWFORD SHIELDED WITH HIS OWN BODY AMIDST COLLAPSING RUBBLE?’
‘TEARS OF EDEL’S WOMEN FLOW AT NEWS OF DUKE CRAWFORD’S HIDDEN LOVER!’
Every paper had sensationalized the incident, focusing not on the explosion but on the relationship between the two.
“This is…” With trembling eyes, Arlen scanned the articles.
At the end of one, it cited an unidentified source, adding even more specific details.
‘The two were discovered in the ladies-only lounge.
It is not known why Duke Liam Crawford was in an area reserved for women, but witnesses say his posture, holding the woman in his arms, was that of a devoted lover.
According to sources, despite injuries sustained while protecting her, the Duke took command of the scene, and a wave of emotion swept through the onlookers at his swift and decisive leadership.’
Aside from a few lines about the rescue, it was pure fiction, the stuff of gossip rags.
Reading on, Arlen was horrified.
‘The woman Duke Crawford protected at great personal risk has been identified as Arlen Sermont, eldest daughter of the Sermont family, whose betrothal to the Crown Prince was arranged in the wake of the ‘Tragedy of Leben Palace.’ Let us now explore the charms of the woman who has captured the hearts of both Stoneburn’s finest man, Crown Prince Viden, and the universally beloved Duke Liam Crawford…’
Arlen’s face went pale.
She snapped the newspaper shut.
She had never imagined articles like this would be published.
‘What do I do?
Of all the things…’ She bit down on her lip.
Not only was her identity revealed, but the Crown Prince’s name was printed right there for all to see.
Her mind went blank at the thought of the royal family reading this.
Just then, urgent footsteps sounded from the hall, and the door burst open.
“Miss, a messenger has arrived from the palace.”
‘It has finally happened.’ Sensing her greatest fear had come to pass, Arlen slowly closed her eyes.
“Miss Sermont.
Explain yourself.”
The Queen’s stern voice echoed through the solemn audience chamber.
Arlen, who had been standing with her hands politely folded, raised her head.
Queen Beltania, her black hair swept into a neat updo, fixed her with a chillingly sharp gaze.
Ten years had not spared the Queen; she looked older, more tired.
But the imposing authority of Stoneburn’s first reigning queen had not faded in the slightest.
It had taken a month for Arlen to be summoned, and the timing could not have been worse.
Taking a shaky breath to compose herself, Arlen slowly parted her lips.
“Your Majesty, if you are concerned about the articles, they are merely exaggerations.
There is nothing to worry about.”
“Are you saying those stories are completely false?”
The Queen’s hand slammed down on the armrest of her throne.
Terrified of her wrath, Arlen bit her lip.
“I hear you have been associating with Duke Crawford since your return.
It seems you neglected your education at Saint Academy so thoroughly that you have forgotten the virtues of a lady.”
Arlen had a response to that, but this was neither the time nor the place.
Unable to retort, she clenched her hands tightly.
“How am I to interpret this?
A woman betrothed to the royal family, embroiled in such a scandal.
Am I to assume you harbor the same ambitions as your stepmother, Madam Regina?”
“That is absolutely not the case!” Arlen bowed so low it seemed she might kneel.
As she had feared, the Queen was deeply displeased.
“Then tell me your intentions.”
“I happened to receive Duke Crawford’s help, and we have only exchanged light conversation since.
As for the Jensnail accident, he simply saved my life.” Arlen passionately defended the Duke, earnestly asserting that their meetings were innocent, terrified that her actions might bring ruin upon him.
For a long moment, the Queen simply stared at Arlen’s tense figure.
The stretching silence made Arlen’s body grow rigid.
“What are your intentions, Miss Sermont?
Do you wish to proceed with the betrothal?”
“Yes.
I…” She was about to say ‘of course’, but for some reason, the Duke’s face flashed in her mind.
Startled by the unbidden image, Arlen took a sharp, hot breath, her throat stinging as she forced the words out.
“Of course, Your Majesty.
I would never forsake the grace the royal family has bestowed upon me.”
“Is that so?” Queen Beltania watched her with narrowed eyes, as if trying to divine the truth of her words.
Arlen’s shoulders slumped under the weight of that condescending gaze.
It was a stare that seemed to bore right through her.
“I will trust you, Miss.
In that spirit, you will act as the representative for the welcoming ceremony for Crown Prince Viden.
He returns in ten days from his tour of Yggdrasil.”
Startled, Arlen’s eyes shot up.
“What is it?
Is my command unjust?”
“Not at all, Your Majesty.
I am simply… hesitant, wondering if I am worthy of such an honor.”
“You are to be the Crown Princess.
Why would you not be?
You must do at least this much to prove those vulgar articles false.”
‘Ah.
So that was her true concern.’ The realization dawned quickly.
“In ten days, go to Clemont Harbor to greet the Crown Prince.” The Queen’s suggestion, delivered in a gentle tone, was not a request.
It was a command.
Days later, the rumors showed no sign of abating.
Nothing fueled gossip like a scandal, and with a protagonist as prominent as Liam Crawford, the story sent shockwaves through high society.
The rumors swept through Edel like a spring fever, and the entire city was fervent for the truth.
While the city’s attention was fixed on the rosy scandal, even on a day of drizzling rain, Arlen’s thoughts were elsewhere.
‘He will be all right, will he not?’ An article had mentioned his injuries were serious, and she could not help but worry.
Pushing the thought away, she listlessly set down her spoon.
“I am done.”
“Miss, why are you not eating more?” The beef bourguignon with pearl onions, which Betty had painstakingly prepared for her mistress after the accident, was virtually untouched.
“I have no appetite, and I have been feeling unwell.” Arlen dabbed her mouth with a tissue and waved away the soufflé that was brought for dessert.
“Why did you not tell me sooner?
What is wrong?
How are you feeling unwell?” Betty rushed over, her eyes filled with concern.
It was not that serious, but seeing Betty’s face made Arlen feel a little embarrassed.
She smiled gently.
“It is just that lately, I sometimes have trouble breathing, and my heart races.
Like when I am riding a horse.”
As Arlen spoke, Betty’s expression slowly hardened.
“Since… when have you felt this way?”
“I think it started not long after I came to Edel.
It seems to have gotten worse since the accident.
Could it be an aftereffect?” Arlen replied nonchalantly, pulling back the curtain to gaze at the spring rain falling in the garden.
Watching her, Betty moistened her lips a few times before speaking slowly.
“Miss, what are your thoughts on Duke Crawford?”
“What do you mean?
He is a good man.”
Thinking it a strange question, Arlen laughed, her eyes clear.
She could certainly say so, as he had saved her life multiple times, but that was not what Betty meant.
Betty had seen the way her innocent lady’s gaze lingered on the Duke, changing day by day.
She became certain after the accident, noticing the faint blush that colored Arlen’s cheeks whenever she inquired about his well-being.
Given the circumstances, she was deeply worried.
The capital was a city that thrived on gossip.
In Edel, words were weapons and rumors the deadliest of poisons.
A whisper, once uttered, spread like a plague, passed from lip to lip until it could fell a person as surely as any blade.
And so, Betty had to ask.
“Then, Miss… do you like the Duke?”
The question, so unexpected, froze Arlen’s fingertips as they reached for the curtain.
‘Like him.’ Her lashes fluttered, as if the simple word held a complex meaning she was only just beginning to decipher.
She had, on occasion, acknowledged his striking features, but she had never truly considered him a man.
Except for that one moment, huddled together in the collapsed ruins.
His intense gaze, which she had met only to quickly look away, had been waiting for her when she dared to look back.
In the stillness where only their breathing colored the silence, his cool, rain-like eyes were an afterimage burned into her memory.
She had never considered him in such a way before, and Betty’s question sent a quiet shock through her.
A denial formed in her mind, but the words caught in her throat.
“I…”