Chapter 36

“Oh, Princess Ariel, you’re here? As expected, you’re also very beautiful today.”

Princess Ariel, whom she saw in the natural forest, stood in front of the open door of the living room with her two private maids, with a beautiful smile. How beautiful it was, that it was shining.

Claire, who had been chatting with the other ladies, stood up suddenly as soon as she saw Ariel, and pretended to be close with her.

Owen, who was sitting at a table far away and chatting with aristocratic men, also looked at Ariel and greeted her.

“Hello. Miss Claire.”

Ariel said, smiling brightly at Claire.

Right away, her private maids pulled out an empty chair and Ariel carefully tidied up her dress and sat down.

“Have you been well? Sir Terry?”

“Of course. It is an honor to see the beautiful Princess Ariel again.”

“You are joking too much. Miss Selene, how are you? I haven’t seen you in a while.”

Sitting at her seat, Ariel gave a kind smile to those around her. Then, she greeted them one by one and steadily asked how they were doing.

‘She’s so pretty and nice.’

Unlike Claire, who decorated her whole body gorgeously, Ariel was beautiful even though she was dressed modestly, compared to her title of Princess.

The pale pink dress, with lace all around, had a subtle pearl tone, which added to Ariel’s luxurious and lovely atmosphere.

The small diamond ring on her index finger, the subtly sparkling necklace, and the delicate rose-shaped earrings matched Ariel’s outfit very well.

Everything was perfect, from the pretty eye smile she gave the aristocrats and the even teeth that were exposed when she smiled, to her soft and pure voice.

“Excuse me… Can you prepare some tea?”

“Pardon?”

“I want some sweet strawberry tea. Thank you.”

Ariel smiled at Ayla, who was handing Claire a new cup of tea, and ordered.

She is pretty and nice and even polite.

In general, the princesses of neighboring countries had no manners, were wicked, had a high sense of inferiority or some flaws, but not Ariel.

She was definitely different from those who looked down on her with an arrogant expression.

She was the first person to speak politely to a low-rank maid that was far below her.

Rumor has it that Princess Ariel is one of the most likely to become the next Crown Princess.

The maids in the west palace said there is a rumor that she is also staying in the Stellen Kingdom because she is engaged to Theon.

Ayla secretly thought what a waste it was, because if she has that personality and good looks, the kings of other countries would also line up for her.

Ayla shook her head in an effort to erase Theon’s image that came to her mind and turned around.

Coming back to the dining room to prepare Ariel’s tea, Ayla saw Diane preparing a dessert.

Diane glanced at Ayla and turned back to the showcase filled with desserts.

“Princess Ariel is pretty, isn’t she?”

“Yes. It seems she has a pretty face and a pretty heart, too.”

“That’s right. Everyone says the same. But… People aren’t all that you see.”

“?”

“You will find out with time. Or… Maybe not?”

‘What are you saying…’

Saying such nonsense, Diane headed to the living room where the tea party was in full swing, taking a plate with beautifully arranged desserts.

***

As the water kettle heated up, Ayla poured the hot water into a teacup with dried strawberries and honey.

The sweet and sour scent of the strawberry tea irritated the tip of her nose.

Placing the teacup on the silver tray, Ayla smiled in satisfaction and turned to the living room.

The outside was filled with friendly laughter.

Seeing the people gathered around Ariel, it was possible to see how influential she was in the social circles of the Stellen Kingdom.

Seeing that, she felt her mouth getting dry with some unknown tension.

She carefully stood in front of Ariel, thinking to herself, ‘Don’t be nervous, do not make a mistake, take it slow.’

“Ouch! It’s hot.”

When Ayla was trying to put down the steaming teacup, Ariel shrieked when their hands collided and the tea overflowed.

“Be careful!! Do you know who she is?!”

“She’s like a useless wench who can’t even move a cup of tea…”

Starting with Claire’s shout, the eyes of the aristocrats around them turned towards Ayla at the same time, hurling poisonous words.