"She is confronting him," Bridgette spoke with curiosity, narrating her every move.
"She might throw a temper tantrum again…" Arthur spoke as if he had some rich experience.
"She might not throw one but will cause a scene," Theodore gave his input.
In the middle of this, Alexander kept frowning while watching her closely.
"Not fond of her are you?" Arisanna teased.
"You can't blame me," he replied to help her keep face.
"I have vaguely heard how clingy she got when she chased you. Seeing your expression, it must have been very unpleasant, Reynold gave him a look.
"I told you, didn't I? She was madly in love with him. She went as far as chasing him at every event, closely tailing him while fending off the other ladies," Bridgette pursed her lips as she recalled.
"I think she spent most of her free time writing letters because there would always be a pile of them," she chuckled.
"It is a shame though. They were, strangely enough, very well written. It also wasn't too out there and sounded calm and composed. Though, the amount sent did give away her desperation," Arthur started to give it some thought.
"You are trying to break down her letters now? Although I do appreciate the sincerity, there should be a breaking point signaling her to stop," Alexander retorted.
"Yet she changed. She didn't even spare you a glance. Probably avoiding you," Theodore figured.
"Give the girl some face. She made a deal with us already. She would only be uncomfortable if we mentioned it," Arisanna sighed.
"You do owe us an explanation," Alexander eyed her.
"After this. Too many prying ears, I wouldn't be surprised if someone was listening right now," Arisanna gestured to the nobles around them.
"No disrespect, but I hope this would end soon," Reynold lowered his eyes.
"It would be like a vacation for you after this. It would be over before you know it," Bridgette comforted him.
The conversation was cut off by the raised voice coming from a certain someone.
"What is she trying to do now?" Arthur whispered.
"Probably publicly severing her ties while blackening his name," Theodore nonchalantly responded.
"Yes, like this is normal," Arisanna mocked him.
They all quietly grin at her comment.
"You are still in the delusion I would be following you home? Why don't you come to beg me and anticipate each and every word?" Cecilia spoke.
The other party quietly responded, trying to not make a big scene of their exchange.
"Oh, how terribly underestimated I am. Not only did you slander women, saying how they had many tricks, but you are forcing me to follow you back?" she retorted not letting back.
"How nicely done. He discriminated against her by mentioning her gender. Due to the rise of gender equality, this would make her look much more pitiful. Painting herself as the victim speaking up for herself. She surely would blacken his reputation," Bridgette nodded as she analyzed the situation.
As someone who deals with social inquiries and interactions on a daily basis, her praises mean more than one would imagine.
"Or I'll throw another fit? Is this how you treat someone you kicked out of your own household?" Cecilia loudly spoke.
The whisper that follows shows how effective her method of shaming was.
"She is even adding fuel to the rumors to point the blame toward him," Bridgette gave another nod.
"Are you some kind of connoisseur when it comes to these things?" Reynold joked.
"This seems more like something you would do on a daily basis," Arthur added.
"Shut it. This conversation would be important for me to listen to. I could almost imagine the amount of gossip. As the first princess of the empire, I need to concur up a good response regarding to the upcoming rumors," she seriously spoke, her tone hardened.
Not affected by her scolding, they chuckled at her seriousness and regained their attention on the commotion.
"I, Emberlynn, no longer bear the name of the Levin household. After what has been done, I would like to announce the cutting of ties between us two," Cecilia would firmly declare.
Next thing they knew, she brutally left him standing, not looking back.
In another corner of the room, there lies a certain blonde-haired girl with a difficult-to-describe expression on her face. Tactically, she decided to not draw too much attention to herself, hidden in a remote corner with no one acknowledging her presence.
It was better to not have her in the gossip as well, she thought. Therefore, her agitated expression nor appearance was ever mentioned in the soon-to-be renowned gossip around the empire.
As if this was all pre-planned, the emperor made his speech. After thanking everyone for coming to celebrate such an event, the dancing portion began.
While everyone scurried their way toward their dancing partner, Arisanna mentally connected to Theodore.
'I think you should have your first dance with her," she suggested.
'What?' he quickly replied, scrunching his eyebrows. He gave her a shocked look full of confusion as if to accuse her of madness.
'You heard me.'
'That's why I am asking. I had no recollection of agreeing to this.'
'Too bad you had no recollection of it because now you do. It's probably what she is hoping for us to do in roder to show her connections.'
'Doesn't matter. You knew how I would react yet you still asked me to do so?'
There was a bit of silence after Theodore said his piece. To be frank, Arisanna had no idea how to respond to him.
'Why are you so adamant about it? The music is about to start.'
'I think you would know why.'
'...I just wanted to think objectively. She just made a claim we were behind her actions. If we don't follow through, he words have no power.'
He clenched his teeth.
'You know that entrance is not enough to move people.'
'... Why does it have to be my first dance?'
'It would make more of an impact.'
'Didn't you say it would look like we are in a relationship?'
'You said that.'
'Doesn't matter. I don't want the public to have that misconception.'
'It would benefit both.'
'Call this a way to protect my dignity and honor.'
'So you would still dance with her, just not the first dance?'
'... I have no reason to though.'
'Can't you be a bit lenient?' she teased.
'You would need a reason for me to do so,' he gave her a look.
'Then what is your requirement, my dear lord?' she returned it, playfully asking.
He grinned at her response with satisfaction.
'Why don't you accompany me for my first dance?'