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    Beatrice cheered along with the crowd before Princess Ri quickly linked her arm through hers and guided her toward the grand pavilion, where therger celebration was being held.


    “Wait,” Beatrice asked, ncing toward the pce. “Aren’t we going to the grand hall? The officials and the royal family will be there, won’t they?”


    Ri hummed thoughtfully, then shook her head with a mischievous smile.


    “No, we won’t,” she replied. “Most of the guests inside the grand hall are already married or paired off. The interestingpany is out here.”


    She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Most of the eligible bachelors are mingling outside. And most importantly…” she paused dramatically, “Uriel will be inside the grand hall.”


    Beatrice stiffened slightly at the mention of his name.


    “Remember the ignoring technique you’ve been practicing?” Ri whispered yfully.


    “You’ve already made your presence known enough. Now we let him feel your absence.”


    Her eyes sparkled with strategy. “We’ll prepare for the masquerade ball and quietly look for a suitable match for you. Let him see that you can ignore him just as easily as he pretends to ignore you.’


    Beatrice tried to maintain herposure, but the corner of her lips twitched.


    })


    Ri squeezed her arm. “Trust me. Nothing unsettles a man more than realizing he is no longer the center of your attention.”


    And with that, they continued toward the pavilion,ughter and music swelling around them as the celebration truly began. Beatrice was hopeful that her n would truly be effective.


    Somehow, she felt that Uriel liked her too. Or at the very least, he was interested in her.


    Even if it was only physical, that was enough for her to start with. Feelings could grow. She was certain of that. All she needed was for him to open his heart, even just a little.


    I really hope this works, she thought to herself.


    She tried her best to enjoy the celebration at the outdoor pavilion, though her thoughts kept drifting back to Uriel and whatever he might be doing inside the grand hall. Thankfully, no other woman seemed bold enough to approach him the way she had.


    Besides, most of the unmarried nobledies were gathered outside as well, mingling with eligible noblemen under thentern-lit pavilion.


    Beatrice and Princess Ri were sharing wine and light snacks when a familiar voice called out to her. “Beatrice


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    She turned and immediately smiled.


    Her uncle Arturo approached, apanied by two well-dressed gentlemen. Admiral Arturo,mander of the kingdom’s fleet, carried himself with rxed authority. At forty years old, he was the youngest of her father’s


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    brothers. Born muchter than his siblings, he was often teased as the “unexpected blessing” of the family.


    He was her half-uncle, born to her grandmother’s second husband. Despite that, there had never been any distance between them. If anything, it made him even more easygoing, less bound by the rigid expectations of the family.


    “Uncle!” Beatrice beamed, rushing forward to hug him tightly.


    She had truly missed him.


    More than an uncle, he had always felt like an older brother to her. Despite his age, he looked youthful and carried an easy charm that made him pleasantpany. Unfortunately, his duties often kept him away at sea for long stretches of time.


    Arturo chuckled warmly as he returned her embrace. “Look at you,” he said proudly. “All grown and shining brighter than the celebration itself.”


    Beatriceughed, her earlier worries momentarily forgotten. She quickly turned toward them, her gazending on her uncle. She didn’t miss the way Arturo’s eyes shifted to Princess Ri… nor how he immediately bowed with quiet respect.


    “Your Highness,” he said, his voice warm yetposed. “It is an honor to see you again.”


    Beatrice frowned at first, but then her eyes lit up.


    There was something in the way her uncle looked at Ri… something she had never seen before. It wasn’t just politeness. It was admiration… unmistakable and sincere.


    And just like that, an idea sparked in her mind. ‘They would make a perfect pair.’


    Princess Ri was already in her thirties… thirty-five, if Beatrice remembered correctly. Mature, elegant, and more than deserving of someone like her uncle.


    “Oh! Do you remember my uncle Arturo?” Beatrice chimed in, her tone suddenly bright with mischief. “Or maybe not. He rarely attends gatherings like this. He’s always away… protecting our seas and borders.”


    Ri smiled politely, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. “I’m not sure I remember him.”


    Beatrice gasped softly, cing a hand over her chest in exaggerated disbelief. “Oh, you must remember Admiral Arturo Thompson! My favorite uncle,” she said with a grin.


    “And, if I may add, the most dignified bachelor I have ever known.”


    Arturo let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. “That’s enough, Beatrice. Don’t make Her Highness ufortable.”


    Beatrice pouted slightly, though her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Why? I’m only stating facts,” she said innocently. “You’ve always been so picky with women before.”


    She tilted her head, ncing between them. “Although… I’ve just noticed the way you look at Her Highness,” Beatrice said boldly, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “I truly believe the two of you would make a wonderful match.”


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    She didn’t even try to soften her words. At this rate, her uncle clearly needed a little push… and she was more than willing to be that push.


    She folded her arms lightly, tilting her head as she studied them both. The more she looked, the more convinced she became. Princess Ri carried herself with grace and quiet strength. And her uncle, for all his teasing and charm, was steady, honorable, and loyal to the core.


    They bnced each other. Beatrice smiled to herself. She would absolutely love to have Princess Ri as part of their family. And if fate needed a small nudge to make that happen… then so be it.


    “Beatrice…” Arturo warned gently. But she only smiled wider.


    “Oh, don’t mind me,” she said lightly, already stepping back. “I should go and mingle with the other guests.”


    She turned toward her uncle with a yful glint in her eyes.


    “Why don’t you stay and keep Princess Ripany? Use your charm… and who knows?” she teased. “You might just win her heart this time.”


    Without waiting for a response, Beatrice slipped away, leaving the two behind. And as she walked off, she couldn’t help but smile to herself.


    Now that’s a much better match.


    Now that she was alone, it didn’t take long for several men to approach her, each eager to offerpliments and capture her attention.


    Beatrice forced a polite smile, though inwardly, she had little interest in any of them. She was tempted to dismiss them all and walk away.


    Then, her eyes caught something-someone…


    Uriel had just stepped out of the grand hall.


    Her breath stilled as she watched him move toward the open pavilion, his presence asposed and


    For a fleeting moment, she almost forgot the man standing in front of her.


    Then she saw it. Uriel’s gaze was about to shift in her direction.


    In an instant, Beatrice’s expression changed. She turned back to the gentleman before her and gave him her sweetest, most radiant smile, as if he had her full and undivided attention.


    But beneath that smile… She was fully aware of who was watching.


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