𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞

6. An invitation to the palace

The next morning, as sunlight filtered through the large windows of the Rosemountain estate, a servant arrived with an important letter from the palace. Arielle was in her room, still trying to get accustomed to her new life when her maid rushed in with the news.

“Lady Arielle, you’ve received a letter from the king!” the maid announced, holding out a delicate, wax-sealed envelope.

Arielle blinked, her heart skipping a beat. The king? She hadn't expected to hear from him so soon after the engagement. She took the letter with trembling hands, her mind racing with thoughts of what it could mean. Was it about her engagement to Aiore? Was there something wrong?

She carefully broke the seal and opened the letter, reading the neat script inside:

"Lady Arielle Rosemountain, now that you are engaged to my son, Prince Aiore, I extend an invitation for you to reside in the palace. This will allow you to become more acquainted with the royal family and your future role. Please make arrangements to move in at your earliest convenience. The palace awaits you."

Arielle’s stomach twisted in knots. Live in the palace? She felt overwhelmed at the thought. The idea of being closer to Aiore, the cold and distant prince, was nerve-wracking. But this was also a step towards her goal—to make Aiore fall for her and return to her real life.

But how do I even do this? She sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the letter. In the original novel, Arielle had moved into the palace accompanied by Sarah, her best friend. Sarah had manipulated the situation to hit on Aiore, trying to win his heart despite him being engaged to Arielle. But Su Mi—now living as Arielle—could never let that happen. Sarah was no longer her friend; she had no place in Arielle's new life.

"I can’t take Sarah," Arielle muttered under her breath. Who do I take, then?

After a moment of thought, she made her decision. "I'll only bring my two maids." She didn’t need anyone else. Having fewer people around would also make it easier for her to focus on her goal.

---

Before leaving for the palace, Arielle decided to consult the system again. She closed her eyes, concentrating until she heard the familiar voice in her mind.

"System?" she called out, trying to sound confident.

The system responded with a monotone voice. "What is it, Lady Arielle?"

Arielle grimaced at the title. She still wasn’t used to being addressed like that. "I need help. If I’m going to live in the palace, I need to act like a proper lady. Can’t you give me the memories of the original Arielle? It would make everything easier."

There was a pause before the system responded coldly. "That is not possible. You are not the original Arielle. You must learn and adapt on your own."

Arielle’s frustration bubbled up. "But it would help me navigate this world better! How am I supposed to behave like a noblewoman if I don’t have any of her experiences?"

The system’s voice remained firm. "You must be your own person. Someone else’s memories do not belong to you. Learn everything yourself, as you stay in this world."

Arielle sighed in defeat. "Great. So I just have to figure it out as I go, huh?" She rubbed her temples, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on her.

"Correct. Now stop wasting time."

With that, the system fell silent, leaving Arielle alone with her thoughts. Thanks for nothing, she thought bitterly.

---

Arielle’s carriage arrived at the palace later that afternoon, flanked by her two maids who chatted quietly amongst themselves. The grandeur of the royal palace loomed ahead, its towering spires gleaming in the sunlight. Arielle’s nerves fluttered in her chest as they approached the entrance. She was stepping into a world far more complicated than her own, filled with politics, power struggles, and the cold gaze of her betrothed.

I just need to survive this, she reminded herself as the carriage came to a stop. She took a deep breath before stepping out, her eyes scanning the palace grounds. It was even more impressive up close—majestic gardens, marble columns, and golden accents that reflected the wealth and prestige of the royal family.

She expected to see Aiore waiting for her, perhaps to formally greet her. But as her eyes darted around, there was no sign of him.

Instead, a familiar figure stood by the entrance. It was Aldith, Aiore’s stepbrother.

Arielle's heart skipped a beat. Where’s Aiore? She approached Aldith, who gave her a wide smile, the kind that made her both cautious and intrigued.

"Ah, Arielle," Aldith greeted her warmly, smiling like prince charming. "Welcome to the palace."

Arielle returned his smile, though her mind was buzzing with questions. "Thank you, your high-I mean Aldith. I thought Prince Aiore would be here to meet me."

Aldith chuckled, his gaze playful. "My brother? No, he’s not in the palace at the moment. He had other matters to attend to. But don’t worry, I’ll take care of you in his absence."

Arielle felt a pang of disappointment, but she quickly brushed it aside. It wasn’t like she wanted to see Aiore, per se—he was still as distant as ever—but it felt strange that he hadn’t even bothered to greet her. This is an engagement, after all, she thought. Shouldn’t he at least pretend to care?

Before she could dwell on it too long, Aldith extended his arm to her. "Shall we? I’ll show you to your chambers."

Arielle hesitated for a moment before taking his arm. His touch was warm, his presence far more approachable than Aiore’s. As they walked through the palace halls, she couldn’t help but notice the grandeur around her—massive tapestries depicting ancient battles, gilded chandeliers, and polished floors that gleamed like mirrors.

As they walked, Aldith spoke easily. "You’ll find the palace to be quite lively. It can be overwhelming at first, but I’m sure you’ll settle in just fine."

Arielle nodded, though her thoughts were elsewhere. The last thing she wanted was to get too comfortable. She was still trying to figure out how to handle her new life, her engagement, and the strange rules of this world.

---

Queen Ezra, Aiore’s stepmother, was waiting for them as they entered the palace’s grand dining hall. Her sharp eyes landed on Arielle, and for a moment, her expression softened—but just barely.

"Welcome, Lady Arielle," the queen said, her voice smooth but with a subtle edge. "I heard from Aiore that you are feeling better now. I believe you will make yourself comfortable here. After all, this will be your home once you marry the crown prince."

Arielle curtsied politely. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will do my best."

The queen’s gaze flicked to Aldith, and a glimmer of approval flashed in her eyes. Arielle noticed the silent exchange between them, and she realized that the queen didn’t mind Aldith’s closeness to her. In fact, she seemed to encourage it. She must think I’m of no threat to Aiore’s claim to the throne.

Aldith told Arielle many stories about the royal life as they continued the tour to Arielle's chamber after finished eating. He seemed at ease with Arielle, which made her feel relaxed in this unknown world.

---

Later that evening, as Arielle settled into her chambers, she thought about everything that had transpired. The palace, with all its splendor, felt both like a prison and a stage—where every move she made would be scrutinized.

Aldith had made it clear that he found her intriguing. And Aiore? He hadn’t even shown up. But that was fine, she told herself. She still had time to work on him, to break through his cold exterior. The engagement might have been a formality, but she wasn’t about to let it end there.

As she sat on her bed, she glanced at the reflection in the large mirror across the room. I need to be smarter about this, she thought. This isn’t just about winning Aiore’s heart. This world is full of hidden dangers, and I need to stay one step ahead.

With that thought, she lay down, letting sleep overtake her.

This is so annoying! I wish I could just watch an anime!