8 I Don’t Need the Prince! 05

With light green hair and golden eyes, his smile charmed the girls around him. He wore a dark green suit with small gold threads weaving here and there sparkling at every turn.

He walked holding a small glass of wine and the other hand holding a plate of treats.

"Good evening Lady Devera, may I join you in your thoughts," his crisp voice brought Avina out of her thoughts.

Ariel politely returned the greeting, recognizing the man to be the heir to Duke Matthew, Rey Matthew.

Rey Matthew is the heir to Duke Matthew, but his most notable deeds were his academic discoveries. If not for the fact he was the only male in the household, many believed he would continue his research and improve the lives of the people. A handsome gentleman to all with a slight smile, he was a classic heartthrob to all the young ladies.

Although Avina did not discover any relationship in the memories regarding Rey, she felt it was all because her princess charms were too much.

Just look! A handsome gentleman even came and talk to her; how can anyone resist my charms!

Her thoughts may have been shameless, but Avina kept within her manners and conversed politely with Rey. She found that they shared many common interests, and she found his presence to be like a spring breeze - refreshing.

"May I ask milady's hand for a dance," Rey stretched out his palm, bowing towards Ariel. His golden eyes shimmered in the light making him more mischievous than his ordinary disposition.

Ariel found her hands placed on top of Rey's and the two of them walked to the center dancing for a whole round. While the nobles found Rey and Ariel to be dancing spectacularly spinning left and right, up and down, it was a whole other story for Avina.

'5025!! Help!! He wants to dip me, I don't know how to dip!' Avina internally screamed worried how others may view her if a Devera did not know how to dance.

'I got you, Host! I'll control your body right now, just keep your face perfect!' 5025 once again came to the rescue controlling Ariel's body to dance with Rey. Avina focused all her talents on her face presenting the most lovable, sweet mask she had ever tried.

When Prince George came into the ballroom, he was greeted by the scene of his own fiance dancing with another man. With. A. "I'm enjoying dancing with ANOTHER MAN." Happy. Face.

No one other than him knew the stifling feelings rising in his heart, but his royal education did not allow him to reveal any emotions. As he watched Ariel twirling around and around in another's arm, he couldn't wait until the next dance arrived, so he could whisk her away.

As a two-person/system operation was undergoing in Ariel, the music finally changed. Ariel bowed towards Rey thanking him for the enjoyable dance, and her gaze finally met George's.

Her eyes went round in surprise but soon replaced by excitement. Her little face lit up with love stunning all of those around her. Like a little blue bird coming home, her lithe feet ran towards George.

Rey stood stunned in place as he thought Ariel's smile was directed towards him. When he finally calmed down, he realized that the little blue bird belonged to another, not him. Helpless, he could only walk back towards the crowd.

George watched as Ariel walked towards him, her dress waving through the air outlining her figure. Her hair was bound into a bun with threads of hair outlining her small face. Her eyes filled with stars and her beautiful smile adorn her face.

If Avina knew how George saw Ariel, she would have said, 'Heh. I knew this beautiful face could woo anyone.'

Once Ariel reached George's side, a faint rosy blush appeared on her face making her face, even more, a marvel to see.

"Is your business done?" Ariel's soft voice was the first to break the silence. Her fingers fumbled about her handkerchief, fiddling with the lace and embroidery.

George watched her little head looking down before finally saying, "It's done. May I have the last dance with you." His hands grasped hers, locking them in place, not allowing any refusal. His palms enclosed hers and the heat radiating from his spread to hers.

Ariel, too shy, could only gentle nod, before looking up shining her brilliant smile.

From then on, 5025 took control once more, maneuvering the body to waltz around and around and around...

'I, think, I'm, getting, dizzy...' 5025's data slowly got swirled like a soup. It had thought with its Host's perfect display of manners, she would at least know how to dance, but apparently, she did not.

Maybe Avina understood 5025's thought because she said, 'Hmph! It's not that I don't know how to dance, but I need Ariel's dancing to be perfect! And-and they move too fast.' If Avina was in her original body, her ears would be tinted pink from embarrassment. She tried to justify her actions, but it only made her reasoning weaker.

The dance finally ended, and Ariel's whole body radiated joy. The gentlemen around them stealthily glanced at her wondering if they could too have the honor to dance around. But sadly, that was the last dance, and the men could only hope Lady Ariel Devera would attend the next ball.

George wanted to walk Ariel to her carriage, but people from the Royal faction needed to discuss something with him. He could only apologize to Ariel before beginning to talk to others. Ariel walked towards the front looking for her brother Hector to go home too.

As she walked down the stairs, another lady with a man behind her suddenly fell down the stairs.

Avina, with her quick eyes and the system monitoring the people around them since the start, realized the lady to be Jane Mary, the heroine.

Quickly, she too fell down the stairs. So in front of the building, people witness the scene of two ladies falling down the stairs. Screams of shock sounded around them. Gentlemen around them stepped up to help the ladies.

As Jane was offered a hand from the nearest man, Ariel was also offered a hand. She looked up ready to thank the gentleman realizing him to be Rey. Rey helped Ariel to stand up, but Ariel soon fell down again. It appears she had twisted her ankle.

Ariel silently hissed in pain, and Rey asked, "Are you alright Lady Devera?"

Ariel smiled politely ready to say she was, but the pain proved otherwise.

Hector, who had just arrived outside the building, noticed his sister sitting on the floor face paled from pain. He rushed over ready to help her when he noticed the gentlemen helping her, Rey Matthew.

"Thank you, Sir Matthew, but I will help my sister now," Hector grabbed Ariel's hand and supported her with his other. The two politely thanked and bid goodbye before they could return to their respected carriages.

"Sister, what happened? Is it very painful," once inside the carriage, Hector exploded in questions concerned over his sister. He wanted to lift her skirt to check her ankles, but that was against protocol.

"I'm alright, Hector," normally, this could have pacified his worries, but her face was still pale from pain. "I was just walking when the lady next to me fell and soon I too fell. I don't know how it happened."

Hector's brows twisted and he asked one more question, "Was there anyone else near you?"

Ariel took a moment to think before replying, "There was, a man. He was behind the lady and me, but I can't possibly think of a reason why he would push us."

For the rest of the ride, Hector was silent shrouded by his own thoughts.