Christopher who was left by Angelina in the middle of their conversation, was also staring at the two people dancing with a stunned expression.

Marchioness Bailey was also one of the people who were dumbfounded. What relationship does Angelina have with the young Emperor of the Vancelia empire...?

The duchess was dancing with the duke and they too were stunned. They looked at each other with a puzzled expression.

How is their daughter familiar with the emperor of the neighboring empire.

Everyone was discussing about Angelina and Charles.

"That....am I dreaming...?" Lady Rienne wiped her eyes. Then she suddenly felt a slight pain on her arm.

"Ouch!" She turned to Arianna who just pinched her.

"Doesn't seem like it." Arianna said with indifference.

"...what...." Rienne was dumbfounded. Arianna really was a blunt and non-smiling person....

Meanwhile, Alice's jaw dropped. Her friend was having her first dance with an Emperor! How could she not be shocked and confused...

Other's expression were not any better than Alice's.

The gossipers among them immediately turned to their friends and whispered to each other.

"Lady Angelina is quite impressive to be able to attract the emperor..."

"To me it's not too shocking. Lady Angelina, just like lady Evelina is a rare beauty..."

"I'm so envious of the Skyler family.... Their first daughter will be married to the Casspan family...and their youngest has already attracted the eyes of a Emperor!"

However not all the whispers were praises. There were criticisms too.

"What a vixen! How did she seduce the young Emperor...!?" Lady Sonia was one of the people criticising Angelina.

"What did she do to seduce him.."

"Hmph...! She's nothing but a temptress who takes advantage of her beauty!"

"What a sl*t!"

However the two young people dancing were not aware of those whispers and turned to deaf ears.

"Your quite a good dancer" Angelina complimented Charles. She was quite impressed. She thought it would be slightly difficult dancing with Charles. Since they have never danced together before.

But defying her expectations, they were very compatible in dancing together.

"Of course...." Charles paused before continuing. "After all....it was you who taught me..."

"....?" Angelina, at first was confused but she eventually understood that it must be part of her lost memories.

Seeing her clearly clueless about that memory, Charles's eyes darkened. it truly pains his heart when all the pleasant memories they shared, only he remembers.

It made it seem like it wasn't important to her, and he was the only one clinging onto their past.

He knew it wasn't her fault and she doesn't mean any harm, but he couldn't help but feel hurt.

Seeing his silent gaze, Angelina got distracted and almost slipped. Fortunately she was able to recover and make it seem like it didn't happen.

But as Charles was her dancing partner, he noticed this and smiled.

Angelina didn't know how adorable she looked right now in his eyes.

However their harmonious atmosphere was interrupted with a small commotion.

They both glanced at their right and saw a beautiful lady who slipped and fell.

Who else could it be but Evelina herself.

Chase was shocked. They were dancing fine but Evelina suddenly let go of his hand and slipped. Perhaps Evelina didn't think he would notice that it was deliberate, but he did.

"Oh no, lady Evelina fell..." The onlookers said with sympathy. Those who were previously envious of Evelina, snickered and mocked her in their hearts.

Evelina blinked her teary eyes and made a cute expression. She wanted to attract Chase's attention back to her.

And it did work, his eyes were on her. But it wasn't they way she wanted it to be.

His eyes were full of shock, silent annoyance, and coldness.

"......." Evelina felt her smile stiffen. Did she see wrong? Was her eyes playing tricks on her?

Evelina looked past her shoulders and saw Angelina's side glance filled with mocking.

Charles was also looking at her with disgust. After all, she was one of the people he hated the most.

To him, whoever was Angelina's enemies, were his as well.

"I-im sorry...brother Chase...I accidentally slipped." Evelina pitifully got up and staggered. Her cute and lovable appearence tugged at the heart strings of her admirers once again.

*************

Once the first song ends, the second song begins.

Charles was currently surrounded by noblemen hoping to get in his good side, and Angelina was currently socializing with her group.

Alice was still smiling shyly, Arianna was still wearing a blank face, and Rienne was still shooting glares at Evelina.

Eventually, Angelina left for the powder room with lady Rienne.

"Lady Rienne, you seem to hate my elder sister quite a lot...." Angelina said jokingly while washing her hands.

"Hmph! Of course! I mean... She's flirting with a bunch of men, while her fiance is right beside her!" Rienne scoffed. However one thing that annoyed Rienne the most was that Rulias was still blindingly following after Evelina.

Angelina too noticed this and her curiosity took over her.

"Say...lady Rienne....if I'm allowed to know...what is your relationship towards sir Rulias?"

Rienne stiffened to Angelina's words. There was silence in the room before Rienne finally spoke.

"I guess it wouldn't hurt telling you...."

Rienne slowly began to explain what her relationship with Rulias was.

Unlike other's thoughts and suspicions, Rienne and Rulias had nothing but an innocent friendship.

Due to her loud and wild personality, Rienne did not have many friends. To them she was loud and annoying.

Rulias was her only friend during her childhood. So they were quite close.

But as they grew older, Rulias began to be infatuated with Evelina. At first, Rienne didn't have a problem with that.

But as more time passed after Rienne began paying attention to Evelina's behavior, she began to dislike her.

Evelina was always surrounded by men and she wasn't directly rejecting any of them.

Rienne couldn't say that she wasn't a little envious of Evelina for always being surrounded by people and being respected.

But she was most annoyed about Rulias's behavior towards her the more he spent time with Evelina.

There was a time where she and Evelina found themselves in the middle of a conflict, but Rulias took Evelina's side.

He even humiliated her.

Rienne felt betrayed immediately. They have been friends for years, but he sided with someone else.

Ever since that day, Rulias was never nice to her again. He always seemed annoyed or ride when Rienne approached to talk to him.

The lively spirit in Rienne's eyes dimmed as she told Angelina her story.

Angelina's eyes too dimmed. Rienne's story reminded her of her own.

Just like Rulias, Chase began to be cold and started to avoid her after he met Evelina.

Angelina showed a dry smile and spoke words of comfort to Rienne.

Although they didn't know it yet, but this conversation deepened their understanding of each other, and even strengthened their friendship.

***********

When they came back, the second song was already over.

Angelina was about to say something, when she was suddenly tapped on the shoulder.

When she turned her head she was met with charming golden hair and amethyst eyes.

It was Chase.

"Um..! Is there something you need young master?" Angelina was suprised but was able to compose herself.

"The third song is about to start, lady Angelina. I was just thinking if you'd be interested in dancing with me..?"

Although he didn't speak loudly, everyone heard him. Even Evelina.

She was shocked and furious. This was an absolute slap in the face for her!

____________________

A/N: made a little something and if you have an okay memory, you would remember who they are UwU

Credits to the original artist, sukja! (I just added the bangs to the girl) she is my favorite illustrator/artist ♡˖꒰ᵕ༚ᵕ⑅꒱