chapter 3

Ria was still frozen, her mind clouded with confusion, when a sharp voice cut through the air.

“Ria! What are you doing!?”

Startled, she turned around to see a familiar figure striding toward her—it was Melvin.

Bella’s plan had worked exactly as she intended.

Melvin’s expression shifted instantly when he saw Bella struggling in the lake. Without a moment’s hesitation, he jumped forward to help her, pulling the soaked girl from the water and carrying her swiftly to the guest chamber.

Ria followed quietly behind, her hands trembling.

After laying Bella on the bed, Melvin turned to Ria, his voice hard and accusing.

“What were you doing there, Ria? What happened!?”

Ria stammered, “I… I don’t know what was happening either!”

Just then, Bella, who had been pretending to be unconscious, stirred and opened her eyes weakly.

“What… what just happened?” she murmured softly.

Melvin leaned closer. “Are you alright? Do you remember what happened?”

Bella blinked innocently. “I don’t know. I was just trying to talk to Ria, and then she suddenly grabbed my hand… after that, I don’t remember anything.”

Melvin’s eyes flicked toward Ria, uncertain.

“Is what she said true?” he asked quietly.

Ria’s heart sank. “No, Your Highness. It wasn’t me who grabbed her—it was her.”

For a moment, silence filled the room. Melvin looked torn, his mind caught between what he saw and what he heard. He had witnessed part of the scene—but not enough to know the truth.

Finally, he said, “I’ll look into this matter later.”

Then he turned and left, his expression unreadable.

---

As soon as the door closed, Ria faced Bella, her calm composure barely holding.

“What were you thinking, Bella? Why did you do that?”

Bella smirked faintly, her tone sharp. “Do you really not know, or are you pretending?”

“I’m not pretending,” Ria said, hurt. “I just don’t understand—why are you doing these things?”

Bella’s eyes darkened. “Don’t you really know? I thought you did. You don’t like me either, do you?”

Ria frowned. “Do you… perhaps like Melvin?”

Bella’s smile deepened. “What if I do? What will you do then?”

“So this was because you like him?” Ria asked quietly.

Bella shook her head slowly. “No. That’s not all. I hate you, Ria. I hate you because everyone loves you.”

For a moment, Ria could only stare at her cousin. Then she gave a faint, bitter laugh.

“So that’s all? Fine. If hating me makes you happy, then keep hating me.”

---

That evening, back at her home, Ria sat alone in her room. She had held her composure before Bella, but the words still echoed in her heart.

“It’s alright if she doesn’t like me,” she whispered to herself, her voice trembling. “But… why does she have to hate me? I didn’t even do anything wrong.”

A gentle knock interrupted her thoughts.

“Lady Rianide,” a maid said softly, “the Duchess is calling for you.”

Ria rose, composing herself, and went to her mother’s chamber.

“Mother, you called me?” she asked politely.

The Duchess looked up from her seat. “Ria, what happened to Bella? Why isn’t she here?”

“Mother,” Ria began carefully, “I was just about to tell you. Cousin Bella fell into the lake near the palace. She’s resting there for now.”

The Duchess’s eyes widened. “Is she alright? Was she hurt?”

“She’s fine, Mother. She just needs rest,” Ria assured her.

The Duchess sighed in relief. “That’s good to hear. You know she’s our guest—her well-being is our responsibility.”

“Yes, Mother,” Ria said quietly.

---

Meanwhile, back at the palace, Lucy received a letter from her grandmother.