9 Chapter 9

Avyanna's POV

"My Lady, are you sure that you're going? You haven't felt better for the past three days. We can just send a letter to the Princess and tell her about your condition." Diane expressed concern as she clutched my hand.

"No. It's fine. If I back out now, it could severely damage the relationship I am building with Lady Royal." I said hard headedly.

The moment I woke up three days ago, I had a sudden seizure. I don't know why or how, but I am aching all over my body.

I feel like dying over the pain. I have had a fever for three days now. But the tea party is today.

I feel like something bad will happen if I don't go. But with my current situation, I guess something bad will still happen. But no matter what it is, I'm determined that I have to be present.

"Look, Miss. You're sweating all over it." Diane wiped the sweat off my forehead.

"Thank you, Diane. You don't have to worry." I forced a smile.

"Please take good care of yourself, Miss. I can't come with you to tea parties. If Sir Roshan is present or the Princess, tell them about your condition. We don't know what might happen. Lady, what if you suddenly collapse?" Diane panicked even more.

I held her on the shoulder. "It is fine. I assure you. Nothing will happen. Don't you trust this almighty Master of yours?"

"Miss..." She was on the verge of crying, but she immediately wiped it. "Okay. I trust you, my lady. Be safe."

I entered the carriage and I plopped on the seat as I severely catch my breath. The sweat is starting to form on my forehead again.

I used all of my strength to sit properly and lean on the side. I took the handkerchief that was given to me by Diane and wiped my sweat.

I insisted on going because by the time I got a seizure I had the strength to ask Diane to go to Erica and deliver a good dress to the Royal Duchy. I'm hoping she'll wear it. I can't miss the opportunity to see her in that dress.

Moments later, I arrived at the Duchy, and the maids welcomed me. They are all well mannered.

A maid came to me and bowed. "The tea party is at the Green House of the Mansion. I'll guide you there, Lady Brooke. Please follow me."

"Ahem. Lead the way."

She stood properly and led the way. My knees were trembling and it felt like they couldn't support my body.

"Lady Brooke, are you alright?" The maid asked, looking at me.

I gave her a reassuring smile. "I am."

"O-okay."

She continued walking to our destination. When we arrived, there were a lot of women inside.

"Good day, ladies." I politely greeted.

"Isn't that Lady Brooke?"

"She's invited?"

"I guess so."

"This is not an open tea party anyway. Invitations are sent to noble ladies. "

"Then Lady Royal probably invited her."

"Have they reconciled?"

"That's what we'll be going to find out today."

"I also saw the Marquis enter a while ago."

"Woah."

I looked for a seat and found an empty one, so I

sat there. I can feel their eyes on me.

I can't make a mistake here. I'm the one who insisted on going anyway.

I dig my nails into my arms as I endure the pain. When will this party start?

I kept on wiping the sweat on my forehead and the handkerchief was getting wet already.

"Lady Brooke? Are you alright?"

A small young lady asked. She's young and probably much younger than I am.

"Yes." I lied.

I'm literally in pain right now.

"Then please use this, My Lady." She gave me a handkerchief and smiled widely.

"Thank you," I said kindly.

"You're welcome."

"Ah, what's your name, Young Miss?" I asked.

"Ah.. I'm Lizabelle Cartel." She suddenly became shy.

"From the Viscount?"

"Y-yes."

"I'm Avyanna Brooke." I introduced, smiling widely.

"I.. I know you, Lady Brooke." She lowers her head.

"You do? Wow. I didn't know I was so famous." I let out a small laugh.

"The Lady is quite famous because of some rumors, and you're good at swordsmanship." She said, while stuttering. "A-actually, I met you at the Knight Expedition last year. Y-you saved me back then."

I just smiled because I don't recall it and I hadn't transmigrated at that time. Let's just act like we don't remember.

"I-I did? I don't quite remember. I'm sorry, but let's stay in contact this time." I contained my wide smile.

"Ah." Her face flushed red.

Woah. She's kind of cute with a red face.

"The Lady is here."

My head immediately turned to the staircase that was in here and I saw her wearing the dress I had delivered. And I was certain that it would look very gorgeous on her.

Her escort was indeed Roshan.

Our eyes met, and suddenly she smiled. I was so startled that I covered my face. My face became hotter, and I'm betting that my face is even more red than before.

"Lady Brooke?"

Their whispers started to grow louder and I felt stares from them.

"You should pay them no mind, Lady Brooke." Lizabelle said, trying to comfort me.

"Hmm. I'm used to it now." I said with a smile.

We stood up, but I got out of balance. Thankfully, Lizabelle was there.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, My Lady." She replied.

We bow as Yelena and Roshan walk down the stairs. My vision became blurry and drops of water came out of my eyes. It felt like burning. It freaking hurts.

I took out the handkerchief and wiped the droplets. No, these are not tears.

"Good Day, Lady Royal." We greet each other in unison.

"Please be seated, ladies." Yelena said, with her sweet voice.

My ears twitch at her tone. It was a heart fluttering. My chest tightens as my heart beats faster.

It is becoming abnormal again. Maybe coming here was the wrong choice after all. My desire to see her is what made me choose it. And I got to endure it all.

"My Lady, your dress is so beautiful. Will you tell us where you bought it? Or is it sent by your friend again?"

It was Silvia Storm from the Marquisate. They are famous for being wealthy.

"Yes, she's actually here."

Yelena's eyes turned to me, and that made the other ladies too. I took a deep breath and smiled.

"Ah, yes. I sent the dresses." I said, trying to contain my voice that almost cracked.

"Wow. Really?"

"Where did you buy it? Or was it handmade?"

"It was really beautiful."

"Uhm.. are you two friends now?"

"Uhm. I bought it from Florica Dress-up Boutique. It was a small boutique on Liena Street." I answered.

"Why did you send it to the Princess?"

"Everyone adores the Princess, and so do I. When I saw the dress from before, I got a feeling that it suits her, and so does the one she's wearing today, too." I answer with pure honesty.

"Wow."

"When did you two get so close?" It was a question from Marchioness Silvia.

I turned my gaze to Yelena and she gave the signal to answer. We have never really agreed on this one, but we have to. Thank goodness I'm good at making stories.

"I've been wanting to get close to the lady ever since we first met. But some events happened that led to the situation we had. However, I was the first one to reach out because I really wanted to get close to the princess." I said with a calm voice. Although my sweats keep on coming out.

"Ohh, so that's how."

"I've also been wanting to get close to the Princess because she was so cool and beautiful."

"Yes, I agree."

Well, at least they bought it.

The talks continued, but it was just them who were talking. I just composed myself and drank the tea in front of me.

I don't have the appetite to eat because if I did. I'll throw it all up.

Minutes later, my head started to spin and my chest was thumping so loudly that my ability to hear disappeared. I tightly closed my eyes.

"Lady Royal." I called and then I spoke.

"I would like to excuse myself for today. It's really nice to be invited. I have other things to attend to. I apologize."

"Ah, no. It's fine. Thank you for attending."

"Let's have another tea party next time, My Lady."

I curtsey and turn my back. I walked as fast as I could, and it occurred to me that I didn't know this place.

I looked around, and the pain in my body grew.

"Ugh."

I leaned on the nearest wall I saw and clenched my chest. Every time my heart pumped, the pain would travel from my chest to all over my body. This isn't normal.

If only I could go back to my carriage.

As the pain grew, I felt something in my throat, and when I coughed, I saw red liquid on my hand. The next thing I knew was my body falling to the ground as my vision blurred.

"Lady Avyanna!"