The grand ballroom was alive with chatter and music, nobles mingling under the warm glow of crystal chandeliers. But silence swept across a portion of the room like a wave when Alicia von Crestvale, her voice sharp and clear, uttered the word:
"Stalker."
Gasps rippled through the surrounding crowd.
Elias Dawncrest stiffened, eyes wide as he processed the insult hurled at him in front of everyone. His gaze immediately snapped—not at Alicia—but at Alex, who stood beside her with an expression of polite confusion.
'That damn commoner... is he the reason she's treating me like this?' Elias's eyes narrowed into a glare sharp enough to cut steel.
Trying to salvage his dignity, Elias stepped forward, placing a hand over his chest. "Lady Alicia," he began smoothly, "It's true I sent you letters... but it was only as your admirer, not as a stalker."
