Ruby had done her research.
Julien Sterling was the type of shut-in who would stay locked in his room for as long as possible. He rarely went outside, and when he did, his destination would be nine out of ten times the rose garden in the backyard.
The blood-red roses. The Sterling's House of Thorns. And the mask.
There had to be a red line stringing them together.
The information Nanny Mandy brought back only further solidified Ruby's suspicions. And to pry into them, all she had to do was slip under his skin and step on his boundaries—so boldly and carelessly that he wouldn't notice her deliberateness.
"Flowers."
She had used that as her cover. Her aim was to uncover the mask and watch his reaction.
"I've drawn some flowers on mine so that the next time you see me, you wouldn't mistake your wife as someone else. After all, we'll soon become husband and wife."
An attempt to soothe the lion after stepping on its tail. Had it been effective?
"Are you hitting on me?"
It would be best if he thought she was. But… What if he didn't?
Ruby choked, cold sweat sliding down her chin. The man's grip tightened around her neck, strangling her out of breath.
"You're toying with me. How bold of you." He hissed against her skin, his hot breath sending shivers down her spine. "Do you really think I wouldn't kill you?"
Ruby's vision blurred. She didn't know how things had escalated this far.
At one moment, she saw him closing in with unrestrained emotions, thinking that she might've made some notable progress, and the next thing she knew, she was lifted off the ground, her neck deadlocked in his grip.
The shift was so abrupt that she couldn't bring herself to react.
Her dry lips parted wide as she gasped for the air but couldn't. She clawed at the man's outstretched arm out of desperation, the man's fearsome domineering look reflected clearly within her shaking pupils.
The man's current image was nowhere near the one ingrained in her memories. For as far as she had remembered, Julien had been nothing more than a harmless man with thin arms and pale, unhealthy features.
Aside from his deep background, he never posed a threat to her as a person.
So, how did a paper-thin man who looked like he could be easily blown away by a slightly stronger wind turn into such an overpowering beast within mere seconds?
One thing she knew was, Julien no longer bothered to portray himself as the kind and amiable man he once pretended to be. Standing before her now was the monster behind all those fake smiles and pretenses—the true face of the infamous Mad Fourth Prince.
Is there still hope for her to come out of this all intact?
Her teary eyes pleaded for mercy as her face gradually turned blue. Just as she was about to faint from the lack of oxygen, a tear landed on the man's skin like the fallen petal of a dying flower, prompting the man to loosen his grip albeit disgustingly.
Upon being released, Ruby collapsed to the floor and scrambled away, her breathing ragged and her eyes wide with terror.
"I will be straightforward with you."
She flinched at the fall of his voice, a defensive reaction against the enormous fear long ingrained deep in her soul. She felt like a criminal waiting for her verdict and the man, both the executioner and the judge who'll decide her life and death.
"I know you are not the real Arabella Montclair." He firmly proclaimed, allowing no room for doubts to sink in.
"Killing you right now wouldn't bring me any trouble, as I can easily sweep it away by labeling you a treasonous intruder attempting to assassinate royalty."
Ruby's pupils dilated in fear and panic. 'I am not an assassin! The Montclairs can testify–'
She didn't even need to open her mouth as Julien could see through it all in one glance.
"The Montclairs won't have a say in this matter," he cut her off coldly. "Intervening would be the same as admitting themselves as your accomplice."
'What?'
Ruby's limbs gradually lose strength. As Julien's cruel words settled in her, the light in her eyes turned dim as all hopes were lost.
Finally, she raised her chin and whispered out in despair, her voice trembling weakly, "W-What should I do?"
"What should I do for you to spare me?"
Julien's lips curled into a wide and sinister smile. "Now we're talking."
A wave of uneasiness settled in Ruby's bones. As she stayed sprawled on the floor, she watched the man pace around, his shadow stretching over the dimly-lit room before he finally leaned against his desk.
"I am a just person." He finally said after so long. "I will not use your service for free. Tell me, how much do the Montclairs pay you for the job?"
"One million dollars," Ruby answered almost instantly, not daring to hesitate even half a second.
"Good," Julien nodded, satisfied with her response. "I will pay you double—but with one condition. Do your job well and keep your mouth shut. The Montclairs mustn't know a thing about our deal, do you understand?"
The man's voice dropped an octave colder as he demanded for her absolute obedience.
Albeit visibly shaken by his offer, Ruby nodded obediently, her breath shallow so as to not annoy the man.
Still, despite the fear, she couldn't hold herself from asking, "Why?"
Julien chuckled softly, his tone turning playful yet far more dangerous in her ears.
"Because this prince needs a wife."
His smile twisted into a mocking one as he continued, "I don't care who you are or what you look like. All I need is an obedient wife who will last long enough. Until the engagement is finalized and we're officially husband and wife, you will act your part, Miss Arabella."
"Be my wife—properly and convincingly. You know what that means, right?"
Ruby quickly nodded, not daring to say a word to defy him.
"Good," He squinted his eyes, looking like a sly little fox as he demanded, "Now show me."
Ruby blinked, flabbergasted. "What?"
"Show me how you'll act your part. You can start by addressing me properly."
Ruby was hesitant. Her head throbbed, her lungs burning from the lack of oxygen and yet, she still forced herself to think hard before finally blurting out—
"C-Cupcake?"