ARIA

Chapter Three

Aria could not believe that the prince started a conversation with her. When he tried to get closer to her, she took a step back, a reflex she did not realise had made Noah felt a little sad. Why would he be here? He should be came across with Riana by this time. When she saw Noah's gentle smile, she finally realised that Noah thought that she was frightened by his sudden appearance.

"Your Highness, it is nice to meet you. The moon is truly beautiful just as what you said." Aria bowed her head.

"Are you the same like me?"

Aria frowned in confusion. She tilted her head to the side as a sign that she had no idea what the crown prince was trying to say to her.

"Are you here to escape the crowd?"

"Oh." She made a little surprised look as she finally understood the crown prince's words. "I am an awkward person. I am not suitable in a crowd place."

"May I know your name?"

Again, Aria was taken aback. The prince was interested in her. But then, he was asking her name as a form of greeting. She had yet to tell her name to him.

"Forgive me for my rudeness. I am Aria MacGregory of House MacGregory."

"House MacGregory?" The prince was surprised to hear it. The young lady he met earlier was not the same lady that stood in front of him now. "Does the Duke MacGregory has two daughters?"

"Yes, Your Highness. I am the eldest daughter."

Wait. If he knew there were two young ladies in the House of MacGregory, then he had already met Riana! Why did he left her alone and came here? — was what running in Aria's head. She thought that the prince had met Riana here in this royal party.

The prince was smiling from ear to ear. He was happy to know that the young lady in front of him would be his future queen. Only the eldest daughter of dukes, marquesses and earls could be the candidates of his future queen. But looking at how Aria was not greeting him before could mean that she was not interested to be his wife. He had to pursue her.

Noah laughed at the thought of pursuing a woman. He was so clearly few hours ago that he was not interested in marriage but now he wanted the love of the eldest daughter of House MacGregory. He was not a believer of love at first sight but he did fall for one. His friend's words about him finding true love in this royal party came true.

Aria was again confused with Noah laughing so suddenly. She had seen him laughed only for Riana in her first life. But never for her.

Noah realised the music in the ballroom changed. He then reached out his hand to Aria because he wanted to dance with her.

"Will you dance with me here under the moonlight, my lady?"

Aria remembered that she was the one that wanted to dance with him so bad back in her first life. She did had a dance with him but it was only once — during the royal party. she never got another dance even after she became his fiancée. She was hesitated to take his hand. She felt like she would fall hard again for him just like the last time. She did not want to be the Aria who was hungry for love like back then.

But Aria was a foolish lady. She had a second thought. One dance would not affect her at all. One dance could not change her mind to be her sister's cupid. One dance would not make her fall in love with the prince again. right?

Aria reached out to his hand and they slowly move to the music. Their movements flowed with music. She let her body took control of everything. She let her mind at ease even when she was in the arms of the prince that she wanted to avoid. But Aria was not a great dancer. She accidentally stepped on Noah's foot.

Noah let out a little "ouch" but he actually was not feeling hurt at all. He was trained as a knight so of course something like that did not hurt him at all. He just wanted her to look up to him. And yes, she did. When she looked up to him, all she saw was his hopeful smile playing on his lips. Now that she was close to him, she started to notice each of his features were too perfect. He then tilted his head, as his eyes were looking at Aria's lips. His head then slowly closing the distance and their lips met. The dance stopped the moment he kissed her.

It was a gentle and warm kiss. The prince had never kissed anyone. Aria was the first one. But the way he kissed her was like it was already natural to him. But when he broke off the kiss, he was did not expect Aria to cry. Tears rolled down on her cheeks. She looked a bit angry despite she actually responded to the kiss.

"Why did you do that?"

She regretted taking his offer to dance. She needed to get away as soon as possible. She did not want her love for the prince to come back to her. She did not need the love. She was going to die anyway.

"Why are you doing this to me?"

End of Chapter Three