Chapter 73

I barely raised an eyebrow, kinda surprised he actually figured out my alias. Before I could react, Ronald gave a low, raspy chuckle right beside me. I turned to look at him. His features were clean-cut and refined, but his eyes carried a hint of disdain. "What’s so funny?" I asked. He stared straight at me with those deep blue eyes, his lips curving into a faint smirk. "How could you possibly be Reverie?" he said. "Her first piece was a butterfly brooch—full 3D detail from side to back, like it’s just broken out of its cocoon, about to take off. That kind of design screams passion, freedom... definitely not the kind of person who’d agree to a marriage deal." My expression shifted slightly. That... wasn’t entirely wrong. I do love freedom. I just lost myself in someone I loved... and made the choice because of things I couldn’t control. I hadn’t even planned on admitting it. But the way he looked at me—so convinced it was impossible—sparked something in me. Someone once asked—what hurt