The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella and Romeo) novel Chapter 1813

His eyes fell on Arabella, and he was momentarily transfixed, seemingly unable to look away.

Arabella, having her clothes swiped from her, didn't mind. She was only there to check the final product for flaws, nothing more.

"Do you think I look good in this dress?" the young girl asked the boy beside her. Getting no response, she playfully shook his arm and pouted, "Otto, I'm talking to you!"

Otto's gaze remained steadfast on Arabella. She was strikingly beautiful, her aloofness, an air of detachment from the world, making it impossible for him to avert his eyes.

"Otto, you're not falling for her, are you?" The girl, Daphne, sounded jealous, but she knew exactly who Otto was—a player through and through.

"This dress looks better on her." Without hesitation, Otto snatched the dress from Daphne's hands, held it in front of Arabella, and blocked her path. "This dress is a gift for you. Try it on, I want to see it on you."

Arabella looked up to see the boy smiling at her with a roguish charm.

But she wasn't interested and retorted irritably, "Are you insane?"

He was taken aback by her response.

"Move."

Seeing her defiance only piqued Otto's interest more, and his grin turned even more rakish as he again blocked her way.

"I really like your personality. How about being my girlfriend?" Otto leaned against the column behind Arabella, attempting a casual pose that he thought was particularly cool, and coaxed in a low voice, "If you're bothered that I have a girlfriend, I can break up with her right now."

"Otto!" Daphne's voice grew even sharper, her pitch rising, clearly not expecting Otto to be so brazen in public.