"Sharon?" Celine's eyes widened, her heart racing.
She rubbed her eyes, as if trying to confirm whether she had seen wrong. But no matter how much she denied it, the woman before her was undeniably Sharon—the outcast daughter of the royal family.
With graceful steps, Sharon descended from the carriage.
Dressed in a bright white gown adorned with lace, she looked exquisite, like a moon goddess gracing the mortal world.
Her silver hair, usually pulled into a tight bun, was now styled in a braided updo, further enhancing her charm.
Her long, lustrous eyelashes and clear blue eyes captivated anyone who looked at her.
She stepped closer to Arthur and gently linked her arm with his.
Although her expression remained calm and composed, those with keen eyes could see the faint tremors in her arms and body—subtle signs of nervousness.
Everyone—both men and women—was mesmerized by her flawless beauty.
Standing beside Arthur, they looked perfectly harmonious, as if crafted by the gods themselves.
Even Celine, radiant in her red gown, felt overshadowed in Sharon's presence.
While the crowd remained spellbound, Sharon's face slowly turned red.
"Aron… I'm so nervous," she murmured, tightening her grip on Arthur's arm.
As an outcast princess, she was accustomed to the cold, dismissive gazes of the noble families' sons and daughters.
But this… this was the first time she had been the center of admiration. And it both thrilled and terrified her.
Arthur gently rubbed the back of Sharon's hand and reassured her, "Don't worry, Princess. Didn't I say I'd protect you? Besides, this is a good opportunity to train your mental resilience."
Hearing his words, Sharon's anxiety gradually faded.
"Thank you, Aron," she whispered softly.
"[Ding! Sharon Valura's affection increased by +3 points.]"
A notification appeared before Arthur, making him chuckle to himself. He hadn't expected to gain Sharon's affection just by calming her down.
But it wasn't a bad thing—on the contrary, he welcomed it gladly!
Celine finally snapped out of her shock, her expression twisting with hatred.
'How could this happen? How could that bitch be Young Master Avaron's companion?' She spat, clenching her fists tightly.
She had assumed Arthur's companion would be a noble of high standing or at least someone from the Maple Leaf Trading House.
Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that it would be Sharon.
To make matters worse, Sharon looked breathtaking in her white gown. Even Celine had been momentarily mesmerized by her beauty.
That realization only fueled her fury and jealousy.
Suppressing her rage, she turned to Arthur, masking her emotions behind a polite and gentle expression.
"Young Master Avaron, this is…" She cast a disdainful glance at Sharon. "Is she really your companion?"
Arthur gave a small nod, his tone calm yet firm. "Yes, she's my companion. Is there a problem?"
Celine's lips curled into a slight smile, her confidence returning.
"Oh, it's nothing," Celine said casually, though a glint of disdain flickered in her eyes. She then added with a smirk, "I'm just surprised this girl is your companion. After all, everyone in the kingdom knows who she is."
"Oh?" Arthur raised an eyebrow, feigning curiosity. "Care to enlighten me?"
At the same time, he glanced at Sharon and noticed her face darken with annoyance.
Seemingly oblivious to Sharon's reaction, Celine chuckled lightly and said in a dismissive tone, "She's an outcast princess of the royal family, her status practically meaningless since she was born to a lowly maid. Oh, and I even sent her an invitation to my party. But…"
She paused, covering her mouth with the back of her hand before continuing with a mocking smile, "I never expected her to show up with you, Young Master Avaron. I'm not sure how she managed to seduce you, but I suggest you leave her before it's too late. Otherwise, her misfortune might just rub off on you."
Her words sent a ripple of shock through the noble sons and daughters standing behind her.
"So, that beautiful girl is actually Sharon Valura of the Royal Family? How is that possible?" One of the noble sons stared at Sharon in disbelief.
In his mind, Sharon had always been shabby—at least by noble standards. He never imagined that, dressed in such an elegant gown, she could look so breathtaking.
Yet, the moment he remembered her status as the daughter of a mere maid, a sneer formed on his lips.
He wasn't the only one. The other noble sons and daughters nearby followed suit, their initial admiration quickly turning into scorn.
Still, with Arthur standing beside her, none of them dared to voice their disdain openly. Instead, they whispered among themselves.
Even so, their voices were clear enough for Sharon to hear.
Her confidence shattered in an instant.
Lowering her head, she felt the familiar weight of inferiority creeping in.
She had braced herself for this, yet it still hurt.
Celine, watching the scene unfold, smirked triumphantly and folded her arms across her chest.
'Huh… Let's see how you handle this, Sharon,' she thought with satisfaction.
She would never allow someone she despised to experience happiness—not even for a second. That was a principle she had always lived by.
Meanwhile, Arthur let out a faint sigh, a subtle smile playing on his lips.
'Female-themed novels really suck,' he muttered to himself.
If there was one thing he hated about them, it was the way the protagonist was always forced to endure humiliation from petty villains.
Well… then again, even male protagonists weren't spared from such scenes.
Putting his thoughts aside, Arthur narrowed his eyes and gave a faint smile.
"Young Lady Celine, what exactly did you mean by those words just now?" He asked, his tone cold and indifferent, catching Celine off guard.
Before she could respond, Arthur gently released Sharon's arm—only to wrap his own around her waist, pulling her closer.
"Princess Sharon is my companion tonight. While I won't dispute your words, that doesn't mean you can speak so recklessly." A faint yet intimidating pressure seeped from him. "Or… do your words reflect the Everhart family's stance on my arrival? If so, I'll gladly take my leave."
Without waiting for Celine's reply, Arthur turned on his heel and led Sharon back toward the carriage.
Celine stood frozen, completely dumbfounded.
She had expected her taunts to drive Arthur away from Sharon—but instead, they had completely backfired on her!
"Wait! Young Master Avaron, that's not what I meant!" She blurted out, snapping back to her senses as she rushed forward in panic.
If Arthur left now, it would be equivalent to offending Vanessa—which meant offending the Maple Leaf Trading House.
And if that happened, she dreaded to think of the punishment her father would unleash upon her.
But Arthur didn't stop. He kept walking with Sharon toward their carriage.
Just then, a young man's voice called out from behind.
"Young Master Avaron, please wait!"