A week before the ball…

ZATHRIAN

“It is an honour to finally meet His Highness on this occasion.” It was unexpected for Duke Van der Horst to approach me with a drink in hand during a public art exhibit organized by Valencourtian artists settling in Evermore. The exhibit was one of the events I funded under the royal family’s name as a cultural exchange ambassador.

I visited the exhibit on its second day when I learned that he accepted the invitation. This was the only way I knew to know the whereabouts of the lady, as soon as I confirmed she was his daughter. 

“So do I, Your Grace.” We clashed our drinks. I originally planned to approach the duke yet he did it on his own accord, breaking the heaviness of an awkward atmosphere of two people who had never met before.

“It is a great pleasure of D’auvillere to serve Your Highness during his stay in Evermore. Was the VVIP room suit to your liking?”

“Oh, absolutely. I’d highly recommend it to our citizens if they ever travel here.”

We talked further at the corner of the exhibit, specifically about each other’s duties. I can tell he’s a kind but serious man by the way he talks, an expert in making acquaintances in such a short amount of time.

I stirred my drink as the topic went to his children. He talked about his eldest son who was the commander of the holy knights, and his daughter as the next president of the hotel once he retires—who has been my interest for a while. 

Not in a romantic way, but by curiosity.

“If it fits your schedule, I hope you can make it to my daughter’s debutante ball.”

I smiled. We’re only about three years apart. I already got the invitation, yet her father still made sure to invite me in person. I’m convinced his daughter knew this too. But will she welcome me warmly?

“Of course, Your Grace. I will be there.” The sudden urge to retire to my chambers struck my body after a long work day, so I spent the next minute delivering the proposal that had been in discussion between both kingdoms.

“I see. It sounds like a pretty big project.”

“It would take several years, but it’s a big step to the technological advancement of this kingdom and the rest of the continent.” Sir Daenerion—my knight—has returned to inform me about the arrival of my carriage. “As much as I like to discuss this with you further, Duke, I believe this is not the right place for such an important topic. We can set a date and time for a proper meeting about this. Better yet if the lady can participate. As the future heiress of D’auvillere, it’s best to familiarize her with the role she’ll partake in.”

“I’ll consider your words, Your Highness. I’ll write you a letter as soon as possible.”

˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

LILIVIENNE

Reed brought me new information regarding Susanna’s background over the next couple of days after handing me her locket. Based on what he gathered tremendously, Ayana and Susanna are half-sisters with an unhealthy relationship. Susanna could not accept the fact that her father remarried months after losing her mother. With a seven-year age gap, the two sisters could not bond very well while growing up, with Ayana claiming that her big sister is a “convent drop-out freak” due to how quiet she was and how she dresses during gatherings—which she finds shameful. She also claimed Susanna has a history of killing small animals in their manor. She was married for a short time to a young businessman but got divorced months later because the woman was “mad” and “mentally unstable” according to the ex-husband. This was all written in both Ayana and Susanna’s diaries that Reed had stumbled upon.

Thinking about it, Susanna could be the one behind Lilivienne’s tea poisoning, but it’s not surprising that it was Ayana’s doing either.

Whatever the case, I’m staying away from those two.

˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

On a Tuesday morning, a reply letter from Maximilian had arrived at the manor. I opened it as Elise dressed me up for the day. 

Dear Lady Van der Horst, 

I am deeply honoured to be invited to your special day, and I congratulate you on your debut to society as an adult woman. Yet I regret to inform you that I won’t be able to attend such an occasion as I am currently working on an important matter I simply cannot ignore. I wish you the best in your celebration and I promise to be present at another time. I attached a small gift for you along with my best wishes. I hope the lady cherishes it.

Maximilian

I sighed in despair. I guess there’s no other way to bring him here to save me. If my estimation was right, he is in the middle of an expedition to hunt the three-headed dragon in the Shadow Valley that will earn him his first title of ‘Knight of Yuria’. I immediately responded to the letter thanking him for the gift.

I opened the present he sent after tucking the letters. It was a sapphire necklace glowing in faint blue and a scroll tied neatly with a laced ribbon. Based on the bluish glow surrounding the jewellery that's already dissipated, it was an R-grade necklace which gives a base stat of 200+ HP and a healing bonus effect to its wearer. It’s one of the common items dropped from the domain at the peak of Mount Carolina. With Maximilian's current lower level at this part of the story, he could only farm R-grades and lower artifacts until his ascension stage.

My excitement went on further when I found out the content of the scroll he sent me.

“Is it another letter from your secret admirer, my lady?” Asked Elise. I introduced him as my secret admirer to not raise any questions from her, it would be very confusing if she found out that I attempted to invite a random adventurer to my debutante ball.

“Can you hand this note to the chef once you’re done with my hair? Tell him I want that for dinner.”

It was a step-by-step instruction on how to make Stewed Salmon Radish Soup. Hell yeah! 

˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

The day of the ball…

The awaited day has finally come. My debutante ball.

The hairdresser braided my hair and tied it in a high bun with some curled strands flowing gently on both sides of my face. Aurelia sent me their best jewellery to wear and the best dressmaker in the capital designed my gown solely for this occasion. It was an elegant deep red sleeveless ball gown with intricate golden patterns and embroidery, partnered up with an ocean blue bodice and petticoat that flowed by my feet. 

It felt so special it was unreal. In my past life, this moment would only happen in the movies.

The escort—my cousin, Gerard—held my hand and assisted me down the grand staircase. The venue was set in the manor’s function hall, where hundreds of guests were anticipating my appearance. 

My eyes wandered in the sea of people mixed with familiar and unfamiliar faces—whom I probably interacted with in the game—as I welcomed them with a thankful speech for making it to my party.

There were my instructors, Wilona, Odette de Lune and apparently, our relatives from both the mother and father sides I’d never seen before.

The ceremony commenced with a congratulatory message from His Majesty delivered by his representative, followed by a formal speech from Father. When I finished mine, the host entertained the guests with prepared performances as I sat on a fancy little throne where I could see the whole venue. I should be enjoying the party, but I still have to proceed with my plan.

“Have you seen Zathrian and the Beckett sisters?” I asked the man from my left—Reed—who was currently disguised as one of the waiters. 

“The sisters are on the table by the east, my lady.” I turned to the left and saw the sisters seated with their parents and some other people.

“And Zathrian?”

“What about me?” I was caught by surprise when I heard his deep voice from my left. Reed was gone and Zathrian was standing from where the guy stood, offering me his hand. I hate to admit it, but he was dashing tonight! His red hair was pushed back neatly which revealed his forehead, and he was wearing an elegant dark regal attire befitting a foreign royal prince. This was exactly how he was portrayed when he was approached by Susanna in the game.  

My cheeks heated. “I-I was just wondering why I haven’t seen you yet, Your Highness. You’re not the only guest I’m looking for, you know?” I avoided looking at him, that silly foxy smile was already splattered on his face.

The host has coincidentally announced the start of the social dancing. Zathrian offered me his hand once more. “Perfect timing. Will you grant me the honour, my lady?”

His gesture caught the attention of the guests. To save ourselves from embarrassment, I took his hand against my will and we started dancing along with the others.

The orchestra played a familiar tune, meant for the dance I’d been practicing with my cousin. Speaking of the devil, I turned to the table of my relatives and saw Gerard bawling his eyes out. “But I should’ve been the first!” Alasdair—who had just finished his duty—was having fun trying to console him.

“Hey, keep your eyes on me.”

I looked back at Zathrian. His devilish beauty was enough to melt me in his arms. “You look beautiful tonight, my lady.”

“T-Thanks.”

He smirked. “Why are you looking at me like that? Do you hate me that much?”

“Is it that obvious?” I hate his attitude and I hate the fact that he was meant to get me killed. “I hate you and I can’t stand you.” I smiled back at him, mocking the way he would smile.

Once I save his life tonight, I’m staying away from him. He will never see me again. 

“Well, that’s too bad.” He turned me around and caught me by the waist. He was too close. “I’m not easy to get rid of.”

“Is that a threat?” He swung me around.

“No.” He responded. “Just a warning, in case you’re thinking of staying away from me once this is over.”

Did he just read my mind?

“Why?” I smirked. “Did you change your mind? I thought I wasn’t your type.”

He smiled sweetly. “I thought so too.”

I decided to keep my mouth shut and kept on dancing. He was a great dancer, a well-trained gentleman from a young age, I suppose. In the game, he was written as the best in everything, which was probably why he’s too confident with himself. The only problem was his corrupted attitude. 

It was time to change partners. Zathrian held me closer and whispered in my ear. “Happy birthday, Lady Lilivienne.”

We broke apart after he kissed my hand. He was immediately pulled by another lady I didn’t know, the empty hand he left was grasped by another from behind me. I faced the new person, thinking it could be Alasdair or Gerard, but it was someone I didn’t expect at all.

Icy blue eyes stared back at mine. “I’ve been watching the lady from afar since my arrival. I didn’t miss anything important, right?”

It was the Crown Prince. Celios Desroches.