Unexpected Betrayal

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The ball was in full swing.

It was the Crown Prince Albert Rudiger Louis's birthday who was holding this magnificent ball in the palace for the nobles of the country. Many families were gathered to celebrate his highness's birth and to give wishes with the ulterior purpose of making connections with the Grand Duke and the four dukedoms of the country. The Grand Duke rarely made a public entrance and was usually only spotted in events organised by the royal family. The ducal families, although private, kept connections and regularly joined social parties. Out of all of these people, there was one without such motives and had genuinely came to wish his highness goodwill on behalf of her father who was away for the time being. The daughter of the only Marquess, Lady Aelia Perez. Her long peach-blonde hair glistened under the bright light of the chandeliers hung above.

"Your majesty the little moon of the empire, may your birthday be the most blessed!" She curtsied in front of the crown prince as she gave him her greetings. The man simply nodded in response and Aelia left so that the next person may give him their greetings.

"Phew!"

The lady sat down on a bench in the garden, she was very nervous and had been waiting for her escort who had left her since the beginning of the ball. 'When will he come? I really hope he comes soon...' She thought as she patiently kept on sitting. Spots of red could have been seen on her face if the lights weren't so dim. Today was the day she thought that he would propose to her. Aelia had been in love with Javier for more than a year and he had been courting her for much longer than that. She had finally given into his pursuits and dated him ever since. Due to the long time spent dating, she believed that he was to get engaged to her as soon as possible. They both were of age, after all. Her being 19 and him being 20. Aelia's train of thought was interrupted as she suddenly heard commotion in the distance and got up. 'I wonder what's going on.' She walked towards the area where people had gathered and looked from behind a pillar. 'Wait but that's-' Her eyes grew wide with shock as she saw her escort, the man she was dating, with some woman she was unaware of.

"I love you Hadley. Please allow me to get engaged to you." The man said as he was on one knee with a small box in his hand.

The girl besides him shrieked in happiness and hugged the man who was now on his feet.

He put the promise ring on her finger and looked gently in her eyes, "I'll never let you be sad whilst you are with me, my love."

"Same for me, darling!" She said with tears in her eyes. "I love you too."

People besides them cheered for the newly engaged couple as Aelia watched on. Seeing him holding the other woman and laughing happily, she realised that she was never the one he truly loved. All the memories he had shared with her, all the things he had done with her, all the words that he had said to her. They were all just a lie. Despite her vision becoming blurry and the water that had started to drip from her pretty grey eyes, as if they were an unclosed faucet, she couldn't help but look on at the tragedy befalling her. Though it was an event of joy and happiness for others as they welcomed the new couple warmly, it was not the same for her. She felt pathetic as she hid behind a pillar, crying, as she looked onto the one who had betrayed her and his new love. She had given him her total devotion, her soul and heart, both, were dedicated to him. Everyone who knew her, knew of the love she had for him. 'He was dating me! He should have gotten engaged to me!' Her facial expressions contorted and soon she was glaring, her sadness quickly turning to anger and her tears fell at a much faster rate. 'They must have been together for a long time for this to happen... they couldn't have just met for while and then did this on a whim.' All she wanted was to go out there and rip both of their heads off but being the lady she was brought up to be, she controlled her seething rage. 'After all, revenge is a dish best served cold,' she thought to herself, half-smiling with her tear-stricken face. She then escaped to the garden of the palace where she again sat down on the bench and wondered what to do next not wishing to be shackled by the feelings of betrayal and hurt. 'Should I go home? I think I must. There is no reason for me to be here anymore after all.' The lady gave a bittersweet smile to herself and got up walking back inside the palace ballroom as whispers shrouded her.

"Isn't that the lady whose escort-"

"What was her name?"

"Which family is she from?"

"That's the daughter of the Marquess, Lady Aelia Perez."

"Oh, how I pity her-!"

"But come to think of it the escort looks good with the other lady."

"Maybe the lady was the one third-wheeling?"

"Their love seems to good to be true and perhaps the daughter of the Marquess was just jealous."

Aelia looked at those who were spreading such talk amongst themselves and smiled which caused them to stop talking about it momentarily. 'I can hear you, y'know?' she said silently to herself 'Maybe I won't leave just yet. I must eradicate these rumors.' Soon, they went back to chatting about the escort situation. This upset Aelia and she decided that she must take action now. 'If I show them that I like someone else or that I'm with someone else, then they'll stop talking about it and tarnishing mine and my family's reputation. But, who shall it be? It must be someone who is of a high standing so no one can dare to even speak harsh things about me.' She looked around. 'Hmm.. the Crown Prince is already off the list. So that just leaves....' The lady found the one she was seeking for. 'Aha!' Aelia then started to approach the person whom she had just set her eyes on, all attention was on her wondering what she was doing.

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