~Ariana's POV~

The sight of the letter made me squeal in excitement. I lost count of how many times I reread the letter I wrote to the prince.

I looked at my beautiful handwriting one time whilst reading it.

"Unto his majesty the crown prince of Aureum, Damon Aurum,

I hope your having a wonderful and a healthy evening.

I'm writing you this letter to address your permission of my presence at the palace for a cup of tea with your highness and have an evening chat if your royal highness is not occupied with palace work.

Here's a delightful poem that I hope will bring joy to your day.

I heard a bird sing

In the dark of December

A magical thing

And sweet to remember

'We are nearer to spring than we were in September'

I heard a bird sing in the dark of December

Sincerely Lady Ariana of Glacies"

I giggled in joy. This is just one step of getting the prince for fall for me. Just the two of us under the rays of sun drinking tea in the beautiful garden with the summer breeze brushing past us, then we would walk along the garden talking and laughing. 'Oh, what a delightful time we will have'

I blushed at the memory of the dance again and his beautiful golden eyes, his gentle voice whispering in my ear at what a great dancer I was. I covered my eyes in the second-hand embarrassment. I could never forget the warm breath against my skin.

*Knock Knock*

I jumped, startled by the sudden knock at my door.

"My Lady Ariana, it is I. Lilly" the voice behind the door said.

"u-uh yes you have permission to enter" I answered. I crossed my fingers in hopes that Diana is willing to see me. I must talk to her for my upcoming plans. I smirked when the thought of Diana begging on her knees for mercy right after I marry the prince.

Lilly opens the door and walked in with courtesy bow like any maid should. She looked at me with glee and a smile perked on her face.

"Diana instructed me to inform you that she is willing to have a chat with your lady ship when she is free"

I shot up from my seat. "Thank you, Lilly," I said with a smile. This time it wasn't fake but sincere, Diana's maids are mine to command and loyal to me and only me not Diana. Giving away Lilly and Stella to Diana as birthday gifts to Diana was the best plan, I had come up with 10 years ago.

Lilly's eyes glimmered in joy. I wanted to gag at the horrid creature in front of me. 'Who does she think she is to smile at me like that'.

I glanced away and back at my letter one last time. I kissed it and slipped into the envelope then to stamp the Glacies crest on the hot wax to shut seal the envelope for good.

"Lilly be a dear and take this letter to the postal magic directed to the Crown Prince" I stretched out my hand with the envelope in hand. She bowed before taking the envelope and leaving me in my room.

'I hope the prince accepts my company' I curled my brown lock of hair with my index finger.

"It would make me feel victorious if my dear older sister tagged along to watch how I still her love one away from her" I grinned. Even if she did agree with the annulment that doesn't conclude that she has given up her love for him. It's impossible to forget the love you hold dear in your heart in just one day. She probably is acting like she doesn't love him anymore but my dear older sister has loved him since she was 4. Diana must have cried all day and al night in heartbreak.

Wait I if I go to the palace and have tea with the prince rumours will spread that I'm a home wrecker that waited for the annulment so I can make my move. I will tarnish my name if I do. I bit my nail in worry. 'Tsk, if only I had been betrothed to him then Diana, things have been simpler. That bitch gets everything I want'

No. I could just invite her along. Then it won't seem like I ruined it but instead I will look like I'm trying to help them get back together. It would make me look like a saint for trying to put a relationship back together.

If I do invite her along and she watches how Damon loves me, she will throw a huge fit which will conclude on her hurting me, then he will save me from her. Diana will be humiliated and all that big talk from yesterday would just make her look like a complete liar in front of his royal highness.

The maids around would definitely gossip about this.

'That is an amazing plan. Amazing plan to get rid of Diana from his sight for good. Just a little gift from me before she leaves the mansion for good.' I looked out the window, the big arched window reflecting the warm sunlight and into my room. 'I wonder how you're going to live outside the mansion without any guards to protect you. You will be mocked wherever you go by the people.'

"hahah" I chuckled at my victory. "I hope you get kidnapped and sold as a slave"

*Knock Knock*

I turned my attention to the door. "You may enter" I answered.

"My Lady Ariana. Lady Diana is here to see you" it was Stella's voice and wait, is Diana outside waiting for me but Diana said she will announce when she will be free for me to come not her.

'Tch this bitch is such an arrogant liar'

"She is welcome to come in"

The door swung open and Stella walked with the Diana behind. I stood there stunned at her manner of posture. She didn't walk like a lady but like a commoner.

I clenched my fist and gritted my teeth silently. She didn't even greet me when she came in, she strolled in like she owned the place, I guess she still hasn't changed after all. 'I wish I could just kick her'. I took a deep breath to calm myself down. 'I must remain a lady at all time

"Older sister" I bowed my head in respect yet the only response I got from her was. "Uhuh, good. To. See. You" while she raised an eyebrow and had her hands crossed to her chest, it looked like I was just wasting her time by inviting her here.

Smiling like an elegant lady, I couldn't help but let my eye twitch from irritation. She looked around, glancing at everything in the room like it was her first time here. I saw her lips twitch in disgust. 'hmph, still jealous of my room. Father would never dream for giving you the best room in the mansion'.

She brushed past me and plopped herself on the couch and crossed her leg, her icy blue eyes locked with mine and something about those cold hatred eyes of hers sent shivers down my spine like never before. 'When did she learn to stare at me like that'. My hand started to tremble for no explanation. 'Why am I so suddenly frightened of her. She's nothing but a weak useless daughter of the duke who has been abandoned'

"What urgent business do you want to discuss about" she didn't even bother to sit like a noble lady should. 'She has no manners whatsoever. A peasant I should call her' I'm so lucky I had taken lessons unlike Diana who ditched nearly every class.

I cleared my throat, ready to talk. "My dear sister, how are you feeling?" I started out.

"Cut to the chase please" she said impatiently, crossing her hands and looking at me with a bored expression pestered on her face. 'Tch, I wish I can throw a book at her'

"And please don't call me dear sister, its fake and it's making me gag just listening to it" she picked her ear with her pinkie with the same bored but annoyed face.

My heart nearly burst out of chest from horror. 'How did she know I was faking it? Diana always looked proudly, sticking her nose in the air whenever I called her that. So, what's so different about now?'

"I-I see" I gripped the lace of my red dress, trying to hold my anger within and keeping my cool. 'Remember the plan, Ariana. Remember the reason we wanted to talk to her' I reminded myself.

"Well, where should I start." I pinched my chin and pondered over the thought of telling her about her departing the mansion or the invitation to tea with the prince. 'I should start with her leaving since I haven't gotten a reply from his highness. Yes, I will start of with that'

When my eyes locked with hers again, this time she was observing me like wolf observing its prey before attacking. It frightened me a little.

"I kno-"

*Puff*

A ball of light appeared in front of me cutting me off from my speech. It started to fade and a letter was seen floating in mid-air covered in the sparkles of the magic. It came falling down on my palm. My eyes widened in joy; the prince answered quickly then I thought. I knew he loves me to answer so desperately.

I looked up at Diana so I could see her broken face but I was baffled to see she was calm and bored sitting across me with her hands crossed waiting for me to speak.

"I'm sorry but may I open this letter. It's very urgent" I spoke innocently battering my eyes so she could see my innocent expression.

Her face scrunched up in disgusted before clicking her tongue at me and rolling her eyes. "Whatever just be quick"

I dived in, ripping the wax of the envelope and sliding out the letter. My heart was pounding fast and I could feel my breath shortening. My hands were getting sweaty and cold from thought of the rejection. I was scared to read his answer.

Unfolding the letter, I caught my name in his beautiful and neat handwriting. 'Please accept my visit'

'To the lady of Glacies, Ariana Glacies.

I appreciate the lovely poem you written to me.

It sounded beautiful but sadly I cannot hear it in person.

To respond to your visit, I'm able to make time for you my lady to come for a visit.

I will be waiting for your arrival.

Sincerely Prince Damon Aurum

My heart left my chest. 'I knew it. He will never reject my request'. I smiled sweetly at the letter.

"Are you done reading" I lifted my eyes and saw her leaning against the chair with her chin on her palm. 'So un-lady like. No wonder the prince didn't like you'

'It doesn't matter anyway because your going to regret being a bitch towards me these past years. I'm going to see that face turn pale when you see how the prince loves me.'

I totally forgot about the first talk and went ahead with the second plan. I'm too excited.

"Diana, his royal highness and I are having tea together today and I felt horrible to not invite you. So, I thought maybe you could-" "No I'm good" I was caught off guard of her rude interruption.

I blinked in confusion. 'Did she refuse me without batting an eye'

"Sorry Ariana but I don't have time to be the third wheeling get someone else to do the job." She stood up flattening the back of her dress. I was dumbfounded and speechless, I couldn't speak like my throat was blocked by her sudden words. 'No. No she can't refuse me. She has to come or else my plan is ruined' "If this is what you called me here for then you just wasted my precious time and yours" she walked off without looking back and changing her mind.

I but my lower lip. 'I can't let her leave. Think Ariana. What can I do to persuade her?' what does she like? What does she felt threatened that I can blackmail her? no I can't do that in front of the maids that would ruin my saint act.'

I was running out of time; she was already to the door. 'How fast are legs, I swore she was near my bed a second a go'

"My lady, persuade her with money. I saw how desperate she was when counting her lack of money" Stella suddenly whispered in my ear. My eyes widened. 'Yes, Diana loves money'

"Diana dear please come. I need you with me." I called out sympathetically. "Don't care" she waved back.

"Please, I need to request something to the prince but I can't without you there supporting me" I begged with fake tears.

"That's your problem not mine" she opened the door. 'she's so stubborn and rude. Diana would never reject me like the way she's doing now. What's going on here'. She already left the room and was closing the door.

"I will pay handsomely if you accompany me" I finally said, praying she turns around.

The door stopped by a little. The door creaked open again and Diana stepped back, coming in still face towards the door.

"Did you say money" she spoke coldly.

I smirked, so its money you like. 'Bingo'