Seven

IT WAS PAST 9 PM WHEN I GOT READY for the ball since Marianne decided to give me a massage after my bath, to ease the pain that I was still feeling in my muscles after what happened earlier. I've been avoiding speak so much these last couple of days, to be able to sing perfectly tonight. I'm just glad that they kicked my face and not my throat, or it could be quite annoying.

My long wavy hair was loose, hitting my hips, contrasting well with my dress that was backless. I designed it myself, I'm sure it'll be a trend because it's way better and more mature than those dresses full of bows and with that cliché Princess-skirt around the Kingdom. He's made to mark the curves of our body, and it fits like a glove. It's also easy to dance with it since the tissue used to make it is extremely malleable.

As Marianne said, it's a golden dress. White and gold, to be more clear and looks amazing to me because of the dark color of my hair, and the amethyst gleam on my eyes. I'm also using a 4-inches heel, that's also golden to look good with the dress. And she made sure to put jewels that looked good on me, but there didn't look as if I was hanging a watermelon on my neck.

Fancy and elegant.

I'm confident in my beautiful body enough to trust this dress will be perfect for me. After all, he wouldn't look good on everyone. But the design can be manageable.

Do you know what's surprising? It was made by Marianne. She's talented at this and would make an outstanding stylist. However, even though I tried to help her with it, she decided to only work for me. But I'll try to change that after I find someone better to marry me, that way she won't have to worry so much.

The name Marianne Gordon will be famous, I'm very confident about it.

"…Lady Hope?" I blinked.

"Hm?" I turned to her again.

She giggled softly, "What were you thinking about?" How I'll make you famous!

"I was just wondering if they will enjoy the songs," I bit my bottom lip, relieved that the lipstick she used on me is one of those magical ones that won't get off your lips until you want them to.

"They will love it. And if they don't, it's because they have terrible taste in music!" She finished by putting the last ring on my finger, the finger on which I used to always have my engagement ring. "If perfect is what you are searching for, then just stay the same!" She sang one of the sentences of my favorite Bruno Mars song. "Isn't that what you said in the song? So, just stay the same, and don't change anything just because they might not like it!"

As if I would change such a masterpiece. "You are right!" I smiled and she winked at me.

"And don't give thoughts to that shameless couple, okay?" Is she talking about Cecilia and Jacob? "We'll find someone better for you. After all, lots of good and interesting nobles will come tonight. Both the ones you invited, and those that cunt did… I mean, the Count!" I chuckled at that.

Marianne has a dirty tongue when she's around me. It's easy to talk to her because she doesn't scold me for cursing people. "I doubt he would invite anyone important," like someone from the Northern Dukedom, or from the Royal Family, or even from the Eastern Dukedom, and from the nobles who are closer to the Royals.

Especially when those are the ones I want to avoid with all my might since they are all in the circle of the main lead and the two main villains. It would be a nightmare.

"If it was Kaio or the twins' birthday ball then maybe he would, but not mine. After all, he hates me!" But it doesn't really bother me. I'm used to being hated by my parents, both adopted, biological and now him. It doesn't phase me anymore.

It's annoying? Hell yes. But not surprising.

She bit her lip, uncomfortable, "He's an ass. Don't mind him. I'm here for you. I'll forever love you like my child, even if that cunt doesn't give a shit for an amazing kid like you. He's the one on the losing side, all because of those bastards and that whore!"

I gasped giggling again, "I love your honesty, Marianne. But let's not talk loud enough, because if one of Lorena's spies around the Castle listens to you saying something like that, she'll punish you. And we don't want that!"

Sulking, she agreed, "No. You would be devastated. I don't want to see you sad because of that."

Smiling I rolled my eyes, "Should we go? You will be escorting me with the boys! Try to dance to one of my songs with Thomas, I bet he'll be enchanted by you," I winked and she turned bright red.

Red like her hair. And her hair is strawberry red, waist-length curly red hair. Her skin is as white, but tanner than mine, and her eyes are emerald green, which, together with her wrinkles, makes a perfect look. She also has a slim but curvy body, making her look ten years younger. There's no way Thomas won't fall for her.

Not to mention that tonight she's using a lilac and silver long ball gown, with a top that marks her chest, and a Princess-skirt. Which I also designed. It fits her like a glove. But it doesn't go far away from the typical dress design of the girls around here.

Her hair is also loose, but the top is braided in a crown. And I did it! I was always the best at making braids, even back in my past life as Anna, my sisters made me braid their hair constantly. Hatred aside, it was good because the more I braided, the better I got at doing so. I can't wait to have a baby daughter, so I'll be able to style her hair all the time.

She'll look like a Princess!

And opposite to all of my parents, I'll love her with all my heart. Her and my son. Although I wouldn't mind having more than two kids. I've been bottling up a lot of love to give them.

"Be confident, and don't get shy. Show him you care, and I'm sure he'll catch on!" Then I opened the door and my Knights came into view. They were both dressed in white with silver since I designed their clothes to match ours since they will both be escorting us until we separate to dance with other people.

I learned that we have to make an effort to cause a big first impression on a ball. So, I'm doing my best. And going there a little late is the cherry on top!

They were both with their masks on, but I could tell them apart easily, because of the color of their hair and eyes. After bowing, they both kissed the palm of my hand, "You look outstanding, Lady Hope!" They said together.

"So do you, boys," I took a better look at their clothes. "I knew this design would fit you both perfectly, especially with your amazing physic. Marianne did her best at making them," I turned to her. "Both our dresses and their fits are amazing!"

She blushed, "Stop flattering me, Lady Hope. You know I get shy!"

Giggling I nodded, "Put your mask on. Let me see how you look with it!" When she did, I made a satisfying sound, "I knew silver would be the best color to go with it. It makes well the red of your hair and the green of your eyes." Then I took mine from her hands and put it on. It was golden and shaped like a fancy and delicate butterfly, "How am I?"

They all looked stunned, "Enchanting!" Marianne said winking, referring to one of the songs and I giggle.

"You look perfect, Lady Hope!" Sir Gavin exclaimed, looking at me almost eye-to-eye since with the heels I'm almost his height.

"Delightful," Sir Lawrence, added, with a charming smile. Now he's still half a head taller than me. "That cunt threw an angel away just to be with that grim reaper!" He always calls people he doesn't like that since I told him what a grim reaper is. It's kind of cute.

"Let's not talk about them, alright? The Knight is too good to be tainted by shit like them. Now, Lawrence, you will escort me, while Gavin escorts Marianne, okay?" They nodded obediently. "After we arrive down there and dance one song together, you can go wherever you want and dance with whoever you want. You are both handsome, I bet lots of ladies will be trying to get your attention."

"So, the same scheme as always, right?" Gavin asked and I nodded.

All the balls I attended without Jacob, they both escorted me, and I dance one song with each of them. But tonight Gavin will be with Marianne because I bet Thomas might get a little jealous if he sees a beauty like her dancing with my Knight. "Yes!"

Said that we went down silently.