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Beatrice’s heart nearly stopped the moment Uriel pulled her closer and led her away from Lord Evan.
What puzzled her even more was that he wasn’t guiding her back into the dance circle. Instead, he was leading her away from the center of the ballroom floor entirely.
Unlike the other attendees, he wasn’t wearing a mask. She could clearly see the dark expression on his face.
“Where are we going?” she asked in surprise. “There are still several gentlemen I’m supposed to dance with.”
She had already danced with two, and there were still three more before the scheduled break. The masquerade ball had been carefully arranged so she and Ri would have time to speak with each gentleman during the dances.
After that, they were expected to share drinks and light refreshments with another group of five candidates each. There were even games nnedter in the evening to make the gathering more rxed and enjoyable.
The gentlemen’s names had all been listed in advance, assigned to each activity on a firste, first-
served basis.
She noticed his eyebrows lift slightly, though his expression remained tense.
“And you really n to spend the entire evening entertaining those men?” he asked, his voice edged with
irritation.
This time, she was the one who raised an eyebrow.
“And why not?” she replied calmly. “That’s the whole purpose of this ball. I’m supposed to see who I can get along with in such a short amount of time.”
Uriel didn’t answer. Instead, he continued pulling her away from the grand ballroom and led her upstairs.
“Where are you taking me?” she asked, frowning.
He still didn’t respond.
Annoyed, she tried <i>to </i>pull her hand free and turn back toward the hall.
She truly was irritated… even though part of her felt relieved that Uriel hade for her tonight. What frustrated her most was how little he spoke to her. With others, he always seemed to have so much to say. But with her, he often chose silence instead of exnations.
She suddenly squealed when her feet left the floor.
Uriel had lifted her into his arms as if she were a bride and continued carrying her up the stairs without slowing down.
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“Hey! What are you doing?” she protested. “Are you abducting me right now at my own ball?!<b>” </b>
Despite her usation, her heart was racing wildly.
She had long imagined a moment like this with Uriel… him carrying her as though she were his, as though she were the only woman he wanted.
He stopped on the second floor and gently set her down on the first chair he saw. Then he lowered himself in front of her, resting on one knee as he looked up at her intently.
Beatrice suddenly became very conscious of herself under his gaze.
“You suddenly dragged me away like that, and everyone saw it,<i>” </i>she said, trying to steady her voice.” You’re not even wearing a mask… What you did will definitely cause rumors and-”
She trailed off, still clearly worried. But she stopped speaking when Uriel suddenly reached into his coat and pulled out a small box.
Her heart nearly stopped.
She blinked rapidly as he opened it, and a sparkling diamond caught the light.
It was a ring.
Beatrice bit her lower lip so hard she tasted blood. The sharp sting grounded her. She wasn’t dreaming. She wasn’t imagining this.
Uriel gently took her hand and slid the ring onto her finger.
It fit perfectly.
Her lips parted slightly as she stared at it in disbelief. Then she slowly lifted her gaze to him. He was already looking at her.
“I’m not good with romantic words,” he admitted quietly. “But one thing I know for sure is that I like you very much, Beatrice.”
He paused, then rubbed the back of his neck nervously before continuing.
“No… it’s more than that. I’ve fallenpletely in love with you. And it’s been tearing me apart inside. Wanting to be with you but holding myself back… knowing I didn’t deserve another chance to be happy after ruining someone else’s life.”
Beatrice could tell how sincere he was… and how much he had struggled just to say those words..
So she leaned forward and gently cupped his face.
“Aren’t you holding on <i>too </i>tightly to the past?” she said softly. “I don’t believe Rizza was selfish enough. to let you carry all the me for what happened. She made her own choice.
She had the freedom to decide, and she still chose you despite the consequences.”
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Her expression grew more serious this time.
“I know my worth, Uriel. If you continue to live in the past and keep ming yourself like this… then the two of us won’t have a healthy rtionship in the future.”
“I know… I kept telling myself I should just hold back. That someone better than me deserves you, not me,” Uriel said quietly. “But Beatrice… I’m going crazy watching other men gather around you, trying to get your attention.”
His voice tightened.
“I hate it when you smile andugh with them. I hate it when you give them your time. I want to take you away and keep you with me… just mine.”
He paused, struggling to continue.
“But the past keeps haunting me. It keeps telling me I don’t deserve any of this. That I should just live alone and-<b>” </b>
His words stopped there.
Beatrice’s heart ached when she saw the tears slowly begin to fall from his eyes. So she quickly leaned forward and gently sealed his lips with hers before whispering softly,
“You won’t be alone anymore. You have me now, Uriel. Let me help you see that you deserve so much
more.”
A momentter, she felt him pull her closer and deepen the kiss. It left her breathless, and she had to gently push against his chest so he would release her before shepletely ran out of air.
Both of them were breathing hard when he suddenly stood and lifted her into his arms again.
“Where are we going now?” she asked, her voice still soft and breathless.
Uriel’s face reddened as he spoke bashfully,
“I prepared a private dinner for the two of us,” he admitted. “So we can spend the evening together instead… and get to know each other better, instead of you dancing with different men all night.”
He hesitated for a second before adding more quietly, “I want tonight to be just ours.” (
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