Along with Sebastian, I went back inside the ballroom. Thankfully everyone's attention was on Izaak at that moment or making excuses would be tiring.
'' I will contact you through the communicator,'' Sebastian said and went away as if just some moments ago he wasn't swearing his loyalty to me. Interesting, isn't it? On the palace ground, everyone must mask their real emotions and be prepared to get stabbed and stabbed back at the same time. I went to grab a drink for myself, people won't approach me any time sooner as the center of interest was Izaak and Waren who rarely show up at parties like this.
Judging by the atmosphere I was sure that the direction of favors was directed toward Izaak. Atticus wasn't there no wonder he must be feeling inferior to Izaak whom he always neglected and thought of as scum. Smiling by myself I sipped the drink when I heard the most familiar tone calling me, '' Lady Valentiara?'' I clenched the glass tightly, my breathing got a little uneven predicting his next words. Will he say the same thing he said in our last life? Atticus, will you be the same?
'' I was looking forward to meeting you, Lady Valentiara.'' His voice sounded so soft as if honey coated but I knew the best. He called me this sweetly in our past life too, our very first meeting was today in my past life, just like today he took one step forward and gave me the warmth of kindness just to prey for his selfish intention. I smiled bitterly and took a deep breath. You are approaching with silly intentions once again but Atticus, I have died once through your hand but you don't know anything.
I put the glass down and turned around to face him. I lifted my skirt a little elegantly and bowed down with my left hand on my chest, '' Valentiara Von Casvoner greets the Third Aster, Atticus De Amanso.'' I smiled like always but it was just a fake smile. I tilted my head and stood properly in front of him with a proud expression. Atticus was staring at me without uttering a word. Looking at him I remembered the past I shared with him. He doesn't know but he approached me just like today when none even cared about my presence.
I still remember how it was. Father told me that I would be making my debut at the National Ball. Warren was assigned to escort me but he had to leave me alone to check over Vivian who caused some problems with a delegate from Eastern Empire. Being unknown by the secret rules of elite society I made silly mistakes and was outcasted by others. To some I was just a bastard whose mother's origin is unknown, I didn't even exist, to most, I was a laughingstock. I pretended to be unaffected by their hurtful jokes and just grabbed some random drink to erase the bitter taste of the insult. And at that moment when I lost hope of making new friends, Atticus approached me first,
'' I was looking forward to meeting you, Lady Valentiara Casvoner.'' His honey sweet voice, astonishing good looks, tall build body, warm red eyes, and pitch-black hair made me wonder if all beauty of the night sky was given to him. Blushing like crazy I greeted him and he smiled beautifully watching my clumsy efforts to be elegant. He kissed the back of my hand and said while looking at me lovingly, '' You are amazing just the way you are, Lady Valentiara.'' I believed his words, I believed in those warm hands and let him enter my frozen garden. If only I knew his intentions then if only I knew what he thought about me!
But everything is past now. Nothing can be changed about the gone past life about which none has an idea.
'' You look different,'' Atticus mouthed those words. '' huh!'' I looked at him confused, does he remember about the past? Nervousness took over me but it vanished away when he said the next thing, '' You looked more free and delighted when we met in the capital road.'' So he was talking about this thing. What was I even thinking? Ha! What a Buffon am I? But this opportunity came to me why would I waste it? I grabbed my drink back and looking at the strawberry juice I said innocently, '' As you see Your Highness, Grand Duke warned me not to do something that will hurt His Highness First Aster's reputation but it's a burden to me in many ways.''
Atticus smirked a little and for a moment the mask of Kind Prince fell off which let me see the disgusting selfish hunter who just found a pitiful prey to lure a powerful one. Consol me Atticus, just like before think of me as a pawn and I will play as your pawn to satisfy you just to make you fall on your face.
'' Lady Valentiara must be overwhelmed.'' He said softly. I lowered my head and Shivered a little to show my uneasiness, '' I am not familiar with the Eliet Society, and after First Aster displayed his power everyone is showing an extra interest in me.'' '' Grand Duke can be insensitive at times like this to let Lady deal with these stuff alone,'' Atticus sounded a little mad which was nothing but a lie. ' A pitiful idiot who craves for affection and expresses her loneliness that easily, easier to win than I thought?' You must be thinking this Atticus. I looked up at him with innocent eyes which are brighten up by the little concern he showed me. The corner of his lip lifted a little and he bowed a little while extending his hand, '' If Lady doesn't mind, Let me soothe you a little.''
''Disgusting scum!'' That's what I thought but I acted like I was on 7 skies. I was about to accept it but felt someone's tight grip on my waist. My eyes widen looking at the person who was standing next to me.
'' You need to learn some basic manners Atticus De Amanso. Lady Valentiara is my partner and asking her for a dance is rather disgraceful.'' Izaak's cold and deep voice which is opposite to Atticus's soft honey like tone spoke in the firmest possible way. I was surprised to see that side of Izaak. This is the first time we have been this close physically after I was sent back in time and this feeling is different than the times Atticus touched me. Izaak's warm and firm hand held me so close as if I will be taken away from him. Atticus seemed annoyed but controlled his expression. He smiled sweetly in my direction and said, '' I will be looking forward to meeting Lady Valentiara next time.'' I smiled back. He glared at Izaak angrily before walking away leaving two of us behind. I sighed and looked up at Izaak with narrow eyes, '' Why did you ruin it? I almost lure him into the trap.'' Izaak looked down in my eyes seriously, they looked anxious for some reason but I found an unknown peace in them. He leaned closer to me and said those unpredictable words, '' If that bastard laid a single finger on your skin, I would've let darkness chase him even in his dreams.''
My breathing hitched hearing his possessive words. I watched his serious face in shock without being able to say anything. It's not what I am thinking right?
'' Are you jealous?'' I asked him with my eyes wide open. He flinched a little and was nervous, '' Why will I be jealous of that rat?'' I narrowed my eyes, '' Then what's the meaning behind that threat if he touched me?'' Izaak looked here and there without answering anything. I parted my lips to scold him about how needs to be rational and warn him about not falling for me but I stopped when a voice caught our attention.
'' TIA,'' I saw Vivian walking toward us. She looked mad and then I realized the position I was in.