Chapter 269: The Masquerade Of Lies And Truth PT 3

The ballroom was full of people.

Music played softly as guests moved around the large room, their faces hidden behind beautiful masks. Some danced while others stood in small groups, talking and laughing.

Lydia smiled when people spoke to her.

She greeted the ladies who had helped with the fundraiser and thanked the guests for coming. She answered questions about the school and spoke politely to everyone who approached her.

But she barely knew who she was talking to.

Her eyes kept moving toward one person.

Ivan.

He stood on the other side of the ballroom, speaking with a few guests.

Lydia could hardly focus on anything else.

Every time she looked away, her eyes returned to him.

She could not even tell who some of the people around her were anymore. Their masks made it difficult to recognize anyone, but she had no problem recognizing Ivan.

She knew him too well.

She knew the way he stood.

The way he held himself.

The way his eyes moved around the room.

Even from a distance, she knew when he was looking at her.

And tonight, she desperately wanted him to look at her.

Not because she wanted to be admired.

She needed to tell him something.

Something that could change both their lives.

Lydia took a slow breath.

Tonight.

She had promised herself.

She would tell him tonight.

No matter how frightened she was.

A guest was speaking to her, but Lydia realized she had barely heard a word.

"Your Highness?"

Lydia quickly looked at the woman.

"I’m sorry. Could you repeat that?"

The woman smiled.

"I was asking if the school will be ready before winter."

"Oh. Yes. We are hoping to have everything ready as soon as possible."

The woman nodded.

"That is wonderful."

Lydia smiled.

"Thank you."

As soon as the woman walked away, Lydia’s eyes returned to Ivan.

He was already looking at her.

Their eyes met.

Lydia’s heart jumped.

Ivan watched her carefully.

Something was wrong.

He had noticed it several times that evening.

She kept looking at him, then looking away whenever he caught her.

She seemed distracted.

Nervous.

At first, he wondered if she was simply uncomfortable because of the crowd.

But the longer he watched her, the more concerned he became.

He decided to approach her.

He took one step forward.

Then he stopped.

Lydia had already turned away.

She was walking toward the exit.

Ivan frowned.

Perhaps she was tired.

The ball had been going on for a while, and Lydia had been standing and speaking with guests all evening.

He waited for a moment before following her.

---

Lydia walked out of the ballroom and into the garden.

The noise from the ball slowly faded behind her.

She continued walking until she reached the entrance of the maze.

The tall hedges surrounded the narrow paths, blocking most of the light from the ballroom.

She breathed in deeply.

The cool night air felt good against her skin.

She needed a moment.

Her heart was beating too fast.

She had spent the entire evening telling herself she would do it.

But now that she had a chance, fear had returned.

What would Ivan say?

Would he be happy?

Would he be angry?

Would he believe her?

Lydia closed her eyes.

"I have to tell him."

She opened her eyes and continued walking through the maze.

She had barely gone far when she heard footsteps behind her.

"Lydia?"

Her heart stopped.

She turned.

Ivan stood a short distance away.

He had followed her.

His voice was gentle.

"Are you all right?"

Lydia stared at him.

This was it.

This was the perfect time.

There was no one else around.

No guests.

No servants.

No one to interrupt them.

Her throat suddenly felt dry.

She cleared it.

"I’m fine."

Ivan came closer.

"You don’t look fine."

Lydia looked away.

"I’m just..."

She struggled to find the words.

Ivan waited.

Lydia swallowed.

"I’m parched."

He looked at her.

"And exhausted."

His expression softened.

"You should have told me."

Lydia forced a small smile.

"I didn’t want to ruin the evening."

"You wouldn’t."

He reached for her hands.

Lydia stiffened slightly when his fingers wrapped around hers.

His hands were warm.

For a moment, she forgot what she had planned to say.

Ivan gently squeezed her hands.

"Come."

"Where?"

"There’s a seat deeper inside."

He started walking, still holding her hands.

Lydia followed.

Her heart was beating harder with every step.

Tell him.

She looked at the back of his head.

Just tell him.

They walked deeper into the maze until they reached a small clearing at the centre.

There was a simple seat beneath the night sky.

Ivan guided Lydia toward it.

"Sit here."

Lydia sat down.

Ivan looked at her.

"I’ll get you something to drink."

Her eyes widened.

"Wait."

He paused.

"What is it?"

Lydia almost told him.

The words were right there.

I’m pregnant.

Her lips parted.

But nothing came out.

She looked away.

"Nothing."

Ivan studied her for another moment.

"I’ll be back."

Then he turned and disappeared through the maze.

Lydia watched him leave.

The moment he was gone, she covered her face with her hands.

She had almost said it.

She had almost told him.

Lydia lowered her hands and looked at the path Ivan had taken.

This was her chance.

There was no one here.

No reason to be afraid.

She placed a hand over her stomach.

"I have to tell him."

Her voice was barely a whisper.

She took a deep breath.

Now or never.

She would not leave this maze without telling him.

Whatever happened afterward, she would face it.

If Ivan was happy, she would face that.

If he was angry, she would face that too.

If he cast her aside again...

Lydia’s eyes filled with tears.

She quickly blinked them away.

She could not think about that.

Not now.

She had to be brave.

She lowered her hand from her stomach.

"Ivan..."

She imagined his face when she told him.

Would he smile?

Would he touch her stomach?

Would he ask how long she had known?

Her heart ached at the thought.

For a moment, she allowed herself to imagine him being happy about their child.

She smiled faintly.

Then she heard footsteps.

Lydia froze.

She looked toward the path.

Someone was coming.

She stood slowly.

"Ivan?"

The footsteps became clearer.

Lydia’s smile disappeared.

Her expression changed.

She took a small step back.

The person continued walking toward her.

---

A few minutes later, Ivan was making his way back through the maze.

He carried a glass of water in his hand.

He walked quickly.

He had not wanted to leave Lydia alone for too long.

As he got closer to the centre of the maze, he could see the small clearing ahead.

He could see the seat.

But Lydia was not sitting there.

Ivan slowed down.

His eyes moved around the clearing.

Then his face suddenly changed.

The glass in his hand almost slipped.

"Lydia..."

He stared ahead.

Something was wrong.

Very wrong.