𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞

20. The Banquet of Betrayal

The day of the banquet had finally arrived, and Arielle felt a whirlwind of emotions as she stood in front of the mirror, her golden hair cascading down her back in soft waves, her dress shimmering under the soft candlelight. She couldn't help but marvel at how far her life had shifted since coming to this world. As Su Mi, she had never imagined attending, much less hosting, such an event. Now, she was about to play the part of a co-hostess in a royal banquet.

Yet beneath the glamour, a sense of unease gnawed at her. Her heart fluttered with nervousness, and she could barely contain her excitement and anxiety all at once. I can't mess this up, she thought, steeling herself.

Her maids helped her into her gown, a breathtaking vision of blue and gold. But the corset-oh, the corset-was her nemesis. It squeezed her ribcage like a vice, making it impossible to breathe. The maid tugged relentlessly at the laces, each pull taking her breath away.

"I can't breathe," Arielle finally gasped, a hand clutching her chest.

"You must endure it, my lady," the maid insisted, not slowing down. "Your waist needs to look perfect."

Arielle bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes from the sheer discomfort. She silently cried out in her mind, All this for wide hips? The absurdity of the situation wasn't lost on her. But this was a royal banquet, and she had to look her best-no matter how suffocating it felt.

By the time she descended to the banquet hall, the first guests were arriving. Arielle took her place beside Queen Ezra, welcoming each guest with a polite smile. Every bow, every compliment on her beauty, every praise for her grace was met with a soft thank you, though her heart was pounding beneath the tight corset.

When Aldith arrived, his smile was warm and gentle. "You look stunning tonight, Arielle. Truly beautiful."

Arielle blushed slightly, returning the smile. "Thank you, Prince Aldith. Please, enjoy the evening."

The nobles were all charmed by her grace, and soon the compliments shifted toward Queen Ezra. They praised her for choosing such a capable and elegant daughter-in-law. Behind her polished mask, the queen smiled cunningly, thinking, Yes, Arielle will be my daughter-in-law, but for my own son, not Aiore.

As the evening progressed, Aiore entered the hall just moments before the king's arrival. The moment his eyes found Arielle, his heart skipped a beat. She was always beautiful, but tonight, she looked ethereal, like something out of his deepest dreams. His heart ached as he watched her, a strange war waging within him. Could the woman who had taken his breath away be the same one plotting to end his life?

He clenched his jaw, pushing away the emotions that had begun to stir. No, he reminded himself. She's not what she seems.

Meanwhile, Arielle continued overseeing the banquet, flitting from task to task like a butterfly. But then, something caught her eye-one of the maids. The woman looked panicked, her eyes darting nervously around the room. Arielle, ever attentive, pulled the maid aside.

"What's wrong?" she asked quietly, her voice calm but firm.

The maid trembled under Arielle's gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. "Someone... someone poisoned the crown prince's drink."

Arielle's blood ran cold. Poison? Her heart stuttered in disbelief, but there was no time to dwell on it. She had to act. Aiore's life was at stake.

Back in the banquet hall, Queen Ezra, smiling sweetly, handed Aiore a goblet of wine. Aiore accepted it without a word, his expression calm. He knew what was in the drink. He had been warned. Yet, he brought it to his lips, preparing to drink, knowing full well it was poisoned.

And that's when it happened.

"Stop!"

Arielle's scream cut through the air like a blade, silencing the entire hall. Every head turned toward her as she rushed toward Aiore, her heart thundering in her chest. Without thinking, she snatched the goblet from his hand, her fingers trembling.

"This is poisoned," she declared, her voice shaking but resolute.

The king's face contorted with anger, his voice booming, "What is the meaning of this, Lady Arielle? You dare insult the queen in front of our guests?"

Arielle's hands trembled as she held the goblet. She knew no one would believe her. No one would dare stand against the queen. But she couldn't let Aiore die-not like this. Not because of a plot she couldn't stop. She couldn't let him go without trying.

She glanced at Aiore, locking eyes with him for what felt like an eternity. This might be the last time I see you, she thought, her heart breaking. But I don't regret it because...

I love you, Aiore.

And before anyone could stop her, she brought the goblet to her lips and drank it all.

The hall erupted in chaos. Arielle's vision blurred, her body trembling as the poison took hold. Her skin turned an alarming shade of blue, her legs giving out beneath her. She was falling, slipping away, when suddenly Aiore was there, catching her in his arms.

"Arielle!" Aldith's voice rang out in panic as he rushed toward them.

Aiore held her tightly, his eyes wide with shock, his heart thundering against his chest as if it wanted to come out. "No one touches her!" he roared, his voice filled with an emotion so raw, it stunned the room into silence.

He didn't wait for anyone to react. Scooping Arielle into his arms, Aiore stormed out of the hall, pushing through the crowd like a man possessed. He didn't stop until he reached his horse. With Arielle still cradled against him, he mounted the horse and galloped away from the palace.

"Hold on," he whispered, his voice cracking, "I'll save you. Just hold on, okay?"

Tears welled in his eyes as he held her close, his heart breaking with each second that passed. For the first time in years, Aiore felt something other than cold indifference. He felt fear. Desperation. And most painfully, love.

---

Back in the palace, the queen remained calm, though a flicker of fear passed through her eyes. Her plan had fallen apart, but she wasn't done yet. She subtly signaled her most trusted maid, who understood immediately and tried to slip away.

The king, still furious and confused, noticed the maid's suspicious actions. "Guards, seize that woman!"

The maid was dragged before the king, her body shaking as she was forced to kneel. Tears streamed down her face as she quickly confessed, claiming she had acted alone, out of love for the queen. She wanted to see Aldith as king, and she swore the queen knew nothing.

King Donfron, blinded by his love for Ezra, believed her words. "She acted on her own," he said coldly. "Take her away. Execute her."

The queen sighed in relief, shedding fake tears as she played the part of the grieving mother. The king wrapped his arms around her, consoling her as the maid was taken away to her fate.

But Aldith, watching from the shadows, wasn't convinced. He knew his mother too well. Though he loved her deeply, a sinking feeling in his gut told him that she had orchestrated the entire plot. He clenched his fists, torn between loyalty to his mother and the truth.

---

As the palace chaos subsided, Aiore rode through the night, desperation clawing at him as he whispered Arielle's name over and over.

And for the first time, he realized just how much he needed her to survive.