For some odd reason, the sight of Arlan laughing reminded Oriana of the dissonance she felt inside his bedchamber. The bedchamber did not reflect the personality of its master. The amiable prince surrounded by a crowd was far from the real him.
It made her feel strange and maybe…a little sad.
Her entire life, Oriana had been pretending to be someone she was not. Maybe that was the same for this man? Was it for survival as well? The side of him admired by others was a fake he had to put on for others' sake.
'I feel like I've judged him too soon.'
By the time she snapped out of her daze, Oriana noticed everyone moving away to look in one direction. A couple was dancing in the center of the dance floor. Oriana tried to look through the gaps between the crowd and found Arlan dancing with a beautiful blond woman in a blue gown. They looked perfect together.
