Ariana walked back, her steps quiet but steady. She opened the large door, and the sound of lively chatter spilled into the hallway. The ballroom was fuller now—people mingling, voices overlapping, laughter echoing softly beneath the graceful strains of violins and piano while her heart heavy. Her eyes scanned the room until they landed on Ava, who waved at her with a bright smile.
No one had to tell Ariana what it truly meant—why she did that. Still, she walked toward them in silence, her head slightly lowered. But she forced it up. She had to. Her father had reminded her earlier: she needed to act confident.
But how would she ever explain to him the disaster she had caused just minutes ago… all because she needed to pee?
And just as the thought crossed her mind, she noticed her father deep in conversation with a Peer. The lady was middle-aged, her hair styled in a sleek bun. She wore a wine-colored dress that matched her dark brown hair, accompanied by wine-red lipstick. Her smile was warm, but the wrinkles on her face couldn't be fully hidden beneath the makeup.
"Mr. Brentford, your daughter is really beautiful, I must say. She would be a perfect mate for my son," she chuckled softly, then added, "But what can I say? We have to wait until the Moon Goddess decides."
Ava giggled softly, her hand gently covering her mouth just the right way, as their father chuckled in return.
"Very true, Mrs. Lora," he replied, while Ariana stood off to the side, almost invisible as they spoke. It was only then that the lady finally turned to her.
"Oh, your other daughter arrived here as well."
Their father nodded, trying his very best to hide the frown and displeasure flickering in his gaze.
The lady gently extended her hand, and Ariana mirrored the gesture, offering a soft handshake. The woman then spoke.
"I heard about the tragic incident with your husband. It saddens me deeply. I can only imagine how you must be feeling—my condolences. And may I say, you're absolutely gorgeous. I would've mistaken you for the Moon Goddess herself."
A warm smile spread across Ariana's lips, though she noticed Ava smiling sweetly, carefully masking the jealousy that flickered across her face at the compliment given to her.
"It saddens us as well," Ava replied, her voice gentle and composed, "but you know, only the Moon Goddess knows best. We'll place our trust in her."
She spoke perfectly, just as she had been taught. Their father's smile curled proudly at his lips—the kind of smile that said, "My daughter's one year of learning has not gone to waste." The lady's attention then shifted fully to Ava.
Back to my invisibility, Ariana said to herself inwardly, though she didn't mind. In fact, she had expected it.
"You are so well-mannered, I must say. If not, knowing your dad…" The woman's voice trailed off.
The borrowers… Ariana finished in her head with a calm expression.
They were gaining popularity—but for things no one should be proud of.
"I would've mistaken you for a noble," the woman added with a smile.
Ava returned the smile politely. "That title will be used soon enough," she said smoothly.
The lady's lips stretched wider into a grin. "Very true. I hope you meet an Alpha as a mate—even though it's rare. With your beauty, I believe the Moon Goddess will choose wisely."
Ava turned her face to the side slowly before replying, "You are too kind," she whispered softly.
"Thank you. It would be saddening to be mated to an Omega… That's something I wouldn't wish on anyone."
No one needed to tell Ariana that this conversation was a thinly veiled insult. Everything her sister did was an act as taught in her school—just as she had noticed. And she had to admit: Ava was remarkably good at it.
"Good luck to your son in finding one, Mrs. Lora," Ava said, curtsying respectfully.
The lady nodded with a smile before turning to their father.
"Mr. Brentford,I'm already developing a liking for your daughter Miss Ava. She's very outspoken, you know."
He returned her smile proudly.
"Ava is a very carefree person. She puts others first—something very rare these days," he said warmly.
Ava gently tapped her father's shoulder with a light laugh.
"Oh, Father, you'll bore her with your words."
"Oh no, sweetheart, I'm not bored at all. In fact, I'm astonished—and proud," Mrs. Lora replied kindly.
A soft smile spread across Ava's lips, basking in the attention.
Meanwhile, Ariana stood still, her mind racing. When should I tell Father about the broken painting? She knew she had to wait until his mood lightened. Right now wasn't the time. She bit her lip hard. She was in trouble—deep trouble. And worse, she needed to avoid Mr. Grey at all costs. If he saw her here… she was doomed. He'd caught her breaking it. If only no one else had seen… at least then, she'd just have to battle her guilty conscience. A sigh slipped from her lips.
"It was a great pleasure meeting you and your family," Mrs. Lora said with a final smile. "I must say—you've trained your daughters well I am quite jealous"
Mr. Brentford's lips lifted into a genuine smile, surprising Ariana. He actually smiled… genuinely. It was rare.
"I'll take my leave now," the lady added.
"No problem. A pleasure meeting you as well," he said, nodding.
Mrs. Lora gave a soft curtsy before stepping away.
Ava turned, her voice hushed, "Father… where is—"
Her words were abruptly cut off.
The music stopped.
The lights dimmed.
The grand doors creaked open slowly.
All eyes turned.
Gasps echoed through the hall as a tall man entered. His ink-black hair was slicked back perfectly. A royal blue suit hugged his tall frame, matched with tailored pants and gleaming shoes. His face was unreadable, cold and sharp. But what truly silenced the room was the suffocating aura that followed him—like a force pushing the crowd aside without a word.
And the one who looked the most stunned… was Ariana.
Her body locked in place. Her breath caught. Her legs trembled as Ava whispered beside her, eyes glowing,
"Alpha King."
Ariana's heart stopped.
A..Alpha… what?
Her lips parted in disbelief. 'Stay calm. Just stay calm.'
But her legs refused to obey.
He was… he was the Alpha King?
How?!
I need to leave. I need to leave now, she panicked inwardly.
She took a step back—
And he stopped.
Zavren froze.
All eyes watched him, holding their breath as his dark grey eyes scanned the crowd—until they locked onto her.
His lips curved into a sinful smirk.
He began to walk.
Each step echoed in Ariana's ears. The crowd moved aside like waves parting for a god. Her body still wouldn't move. She stood paralyzed, her heart thundering as Alpha Zavren stopped directly in front of her.
Then—he lifted her hand, so slowly, so deliberately, and brought it to his lips. A soft kiss landed on her skin as his grey eyes stared at her darkly.
Ariana's head went blank as all eyes were now on them.
The crowd gasped again.
His deep, low voice caressed her ears like silk as he spoke.
"Long time no see, Snowflake… still delicate as ever."