Chapter 10: New Year’s Banquet 1.0

-On the day of new year's banquet-

(Elizabeth's POV)

The banquet hall was surrounded by different aristocrats.

The air in here feels like I don't belong in it ToT

My father is still sick so I went here with my mother and brother but I couldn't see them anywhere.

They specially told me to make connection here to established good business.

"Oho~ seems like Lady Louisa isn't here" a woman said.

"It would be a shame if she comes here. After all, he lost the favor of his majesty" the woman beside her said.

"I heard that she's a villainess wearing a mask of a saintess" the first woman added.

Grrr.. How can they say mean things to Lady Louisa without even meeting her?!

She's been a good Empress and even she got stripped from her title, she still remains good. Although she's kinda mean sometimes when it comes to things that she think is disgusting or unsightful.

"Long live, Emperor!" Everyone said and clapped their hands.

The Emperor came out with a girl. Woah, she's very pretty… n-no! Lady Louisa is prettier than her.

She was wearing a light blue ball gown that has flowers around it. It suit's her pinkish hair.

"It's a pleasure to see you all having a splendid time. I hope that this year will be a peaceful and a good year to everyone. Happy New Year to the Empire!" His majesty said and everyone clapped.

I lazily clapped my hands.

I'm looking around to see if lady Louisa is already here but I couldn't spot her anywhere.

"Today is also a special day. I also have one more announcement to everyone. My consort, Lady Beatrice" he said which made me look at them.

What's so special about her?

"She is now bearing my child, the heir of the throne" he said.

Everyone went silent but later on congratulate them.

W-what?! I thought the only the first born of the Empress can be the heir.

What the hell is the Emperor thinking? What will be the Duke and Duchess Avelliene think?!

My ladyship's family is second to the most powerful family after the Imperial family. How can he do this?

I look around to see if Duke and Duchess is here and I was right. They were here and they look like they didn't care at all?

Are they giving up already?! What will happen in the future! Are they willing to support an heir that isn't from their family? Or will they not support him when he grew up?

After a few minutes, the front door opened and so people looked back to see who's coming.

Who on earth is attending a banquet late? The emperor alreadh gave his speech.

A tall, milky skinned with light hair and scarlet eyes man walk towards the door.

He assist his partner who's hair is like a gold shining through the night. Her scarlet eyes are very captivating.

They walk towards the hall. They are very awesome.

W-wait… Are they… the Avelliene siblings?!

The people was captivated by their appearance. They walk very elegant and you can feel in their aura that they are powerful.

Lady Louisa….

"My eyes are almost blind because of their marvelous appearance" a woman beside me said.

They look good together… They both wore matching color outfit. It feels like I'm in a fairy tale.

Lord Louie's black and red outfit really suits her silver hair and scarlet eyes

Lady Louisa's red dress is sparkling theough the night.

B-b-but… what's with her ladyship's dress?!

The upper part of her dress, which is on her chest was in heart shape. Her chest is very revealing.

While on the lower part, her beautiful left leg can be seen because of the slit on her dress.

She also have this round black fur around her shoulders but it kept on falling onto her arm. What is that supposed to mean? To cover her back?!

When she saw me, she smiled at me which made my heart *thump* *thump*

"H-How beautiful…. Like a goddess…" I whispered.

Her lips is very red and her make up, who did her make up? That eyeshadow is very dark, it feels like she's the hottest female character in a story.

I saw her brother whisper something to her which made her chuckled.

My jaw dropped when I saw that her dress is also backless.

How revealing do you want your dress to be?!

"Is that the Duke children? Look at the woman, it seems like she's not wearing anything at all!"

"But you cannot deny the fact that she got the aura. She's very beautiful"

"Did she already threw her dignity away?! B-but honestly speaking, she looks like a goddess"

People started to whisper things while here am I, admiring Lady Louisa and Lord Louie's beauty.

——

(Louisa's POV)

"Arrrghh.. Aren't you done yet? We're already late?" My brother said while sitting on the sofa.

"Could you wait for a while?! I'm trying my best here duh!" I said and did my smokey eyeshadow.

My brother is my escort to the banquet. We have the matching color of outfit so we would standout.

"Okay I'm done. We can go now" I said and went out of my walk-in-closet wearing my shealth high slit dress.

"Are you Louisa?" He asked while staring at me.

"Of course? Are you surprised about your little sister's hidden beauty?" I asked and chuckled.

"W-wait! Are you going to wear that kind of dress?! Change it to another!" He said.

"Why? I like this though. I can show off how beautiful the daughter of Avelliene can be" I said.

"But that's too revealing! And what is that fur around your shoulders for? It can't even cover your back nor your chest?" He said.

"You see brother, what will the Emperor think if he see what he neglected?" I asked him which made him think.

"Oh I see. You want the Emperor to realize what he lost?" He asked and I nodded.

Of course, I also wanted people who talk behind my back to know that I ain't what they think.

They bullied Louisa before for being simple and an ugly duckling without knowing that she's this beautiful?

If they mock Louisa, it feels like they are also mocking me! Like duh! Both Louisa and I looked the same but the difference is, I know how to make myself beautiful and I know how to properly take care of myself.

While we are in the carriage, my brother kept saying that I should wear his coat. We kept on arguing up until we reached the Palace hall.

When we entered the hall, all eyes are on us. Yes that's right. Keep on seeing this goddess beauty and soon worship it.

People have different opinions about me. Some says it's very vulgar like as if I care. Those backstabbera should look at themselves and ask if they are on my level.

I saw lady Elizabeth that is staring at us so I smiled at her. She was shocked but she also smiled back.

"People are looking at you. Should I take their eyeballs out? And should I cut those tongue who talk ill about you?" My brother whispered and I chuckled.

I shook my head and mouthed 'idiot'

We went to where the Emperor to greet him and his consort.

As expected, Beatrice's dress, this is the design that I slip theough the letter that I gave to Horton.

"Greetings, your majesty. I wish his majesty and his consort a happy new year" I said and bowed.

I stood properly and fake smiled at him and his beloooooooved consort.

"Louie, wishes his majesty a splending new year. Oh, and also to lady…" he stopped and asked me what's the name of lady in front of him.

I said Lady Beatrice and he nodded.

"and also to lady Beatrice. Pardon me for not knowing your name. I have been away in the Royal capital for years so I'm not actually aware of what's the current situation in here" he said.

What a liar! I told him about lady Beatrice countless of times before.

After paying our respect, we left his majesty and his consort to go to our parents.

"My my~ you look so beautiful my daughter" my mother said.

"Yes indeed. But this dress is very revealing" my father said.

"See? Even father doesn't want rhis kind of dress to be worn by you" my brother said.

The three of us laughed on how childish my brother can be.

He's treating like I'm still a kid. For real? I'm a grown up woman. I deserve to wear anything I want huhu