Time and again, Anastasia finds herself falling harder for Lucien.
His endearing innocence is something that she really wishes to protect, but she knows that she no longer can at this point. If she truly cares for him, she will want him to know the dark reality. Even when it breaks him, she doesn't want to let him stay blind about what's happening around him.
There is freedom in what's true, after all.
"He doesn't deserve to be lied to like this. It's better to live a sad yet true life rather than a happy yet fake one," was what Anastasia came to realize after the magical moment they had back in the garden yesterday.
Never had she imagined getting asked to dance with in such a romantic setting, and by the person she likes at that.
Lucien was really nice and gentle with her the whole time. It shows just how much he is bothered by how she's suddenly keeping her distance from him.