Chapter 280: The Schemes Backfired
Mira reentered the ballroom, the flickering chandeliers casting golden light across her path. Her eyes swept the crowd until they landed on Lara, now standing apart from Prince Alaric and chatting with a small group of noble ladies. Laughter rippled through the circle as Lara spoke, her posture poised, her smile effortless. The elegance in her bearing had not dulled with time—if anything, it had sharpened.
Something twisted in Mira’s chest.
Those same ladies had once clung to her every word when Lara was absent. Now, with her sister back, the attention that had been Mira’s was slipping through her fingers. She schooled her expression into something pleasant and glided toward the group, her smile as polished as the pearls at her neck.
"Mira, where have you been?" one of the ladies asked with a coy tilt of her head, twirling her wine glass between her fingers like it was part of a game. "Lara said we should go to you and Amelia if we want to learn the new dance. She said you’ve already been taught and are performing tonight. Is that true? Why didn’t you tell us?" Her tone bordered on reproach, though her words remained sweet.
"Yes, Mira," chimed in Janna, Amelia’s cousin and Mira’s close friend. "We could have joined you. Why didn’t you include us when Lara was teaching you?"
"I just stepped out for some air," Mira replied lightly, though a tightness had crept into her shoulders. The ladies’ gazes weren’t just curious—they were accusing. "Please don’t act as if you’ve been wronged. There’s still time, and Lara’s always willing to help."
Her voice—low, melodic, and compelling—soothed the edges of their indignation.
"I didn’t have the chance to call you. My sister could only spare a few hours that Saturday. She’s been terribly busy," Mira added gently, her tone warm yet calculated.
The subtle redirection worked. Now the blame shifted—however slightly—toward Lara.