RITUAL 4

It took hours to prepare me for the ritual, and the longest hours came from the makeup artist who was now almost done with the make up. "She looks so beautiful." One of the servant whispered to the next as they stared at me.

I knew no one had to tell me I looked beautiful, I could see it myself. I was exceptionally stunning tonight. My hair had pieces of the red diamond jewel Agnes and I had bought. It looked even more beautiful that I thought it would.

After drinking the substance Evren had given me, I fell asleep almost immediately. I was thankful for his help, but that didn't mean I wouldn't be cautious around him. He was still a bad man to me. The man who had tried to kill Dalton and had cut off the butler's hands.

"You look gorgeous." The makeup artist said as she added the last touching to my face and I smiled. Saying I was beautiful is something only my nanny said to me while growing up. Everyone called me ugly when compared to Scarlett making me feel inferior.

"Thank you." She smiled at me.

"Tonight is going to be a good night." She said and I nodded smiling like everything was okay even if I was dying inside.

Though I felt calmer than before, I was still a bit nervous about the outcome of tonight. I am going to be the center of attention, I would be watched by practicay everyone, especially those who are looking for faults. My face and body will be discussed by everyone as the new bride.

Agnes has told me all of these. And though she has helped me practice what to do and what not, I still felt like I wasn't ready. As if something could go wrong.

What if something does goes wrong?

What if I fall when walking in?

What if the ritual is not successful?

What if everyone hates me?

I sighed, breathing in and then out to calm my nerves.

"It's time." Agnes said and I nodded. I stared at the time and it was exactly midnight. My heart raced with fear. I've tried every tactics to calm my nerves but it seems like the more I tried the more nervous I turned.

I rose and the servants in there wore me my the red dress. It is stated that I would be back to change I to the other outfits when needed.

While a few others arranged the dress of my body, another maid went ahead to zip it up. The dress revealed a lot more than expected but above all, it was beautiful. I was beautiful. More beautiful than the introduction party. I smiled staring at my outfit.

Even if I had tried them on before, wearing them again with my hair and make-up made me look so breathtaking.

I wondered what Evren would think when he sees me like this. Will he think I'm beautiful or not? I quickly pinched myself for harbouring such thoughts. What he thought about me doesn't matter, I shouldn't even be thinking about him.

"Wow."

"So beautiful." The maids who helped me in the dress all exclaimed and I smiled. I wasn't wearing my glasses tonight, the make up artist had worn me a contact lens that matched my blue eyes perfectly. Though slightly uncomfortable, it was still good.

I felt naked not wearing my glasses, but there's nothing I could do. Agnes brought out the neckless and Jewel from the box and placed it around my neck. I touched it with my fingers, staring at it through the mirror.

It was beautiful.

After staring at my reflection through the mirror one last time, I stepped out of the room.

I followed Agnes carefully through the hall as we took different route of the mansion to where the ball was being held. This side of the hall was different from the rest, it was more isolated with no maids around. Agnes had said the lady had specifically asked her to take this way so that no one would see me till she's ready to introduce me.

"The hall is packed." I heard Agnes say as we walked together and my heart started beating so fast again. The fear that I had managed to calm was back again.

"Don't forget everything we practiced madam, it'll be needed." She continued and I just nodded without saying a word to her. I held the rim of my dress just so I could walk quickly. We haven't even walked far and I already felt exhausted cause of how heavy the dress felt.

It wasn't this heavy earlier, and right now, It felt somewhat heavy.

As we approached the ball room, I could hear loud music coming from in there. Once we arrived before the door, the guards by the door pushed it open and I stepped in.