Chapter 19 — The Royal Spring Ball.

Days went by...

On the eighth day, I had breakfast again with the Duke. Nothing out of ordinary happened.

That was also the day Paul was supposed to arrive and, thankfully, he arrived after dinner, very tired, so I didn't have to see him until today.

The maid woke me up early in the morning and dressed me up in an outdoor dress after giving me a fancy bath. In the last five days, a beauty treatment was done to my whole body.

I was literally shining.

My skin almost looked like it was made of porcelain. My hair was silky and shiny, I actually envied the maid who had the duty to comb such smooth long hair. She stylised my hair using a ribbon as an accessory and applied light make-up, so I was looking quite natural all in all.....

And... I was even wearing jewellery!

The dress was of a bright sky blue and the jewellery was a simple but delicate necklace, made of silver that had blue jewels all along its length. It looked great on me, honestly.

I was wondering if they would serve breakfast seeing that the morning was passing fast, but they didn't.

Albeit, I expected it. The dress prepared for today has to fit, even if I have to starve to do so. As the maids were doing the finishing touches to my make-up and hair, the Butler came to my door to notify that the carriage was ready.

Hence, I headed to the Main Hall as soon as I was done with preparations.

As I got to the main stairs, I ran into Theressa.

She was wearing a light purple dress, a necklace with a big pink diamond and matching earrings.

Her make-up was very sober... very unlike her personality. And, as soon as she saw me, she raised a brow to look at my appearance from top to bottom... and smirked letting out a short breath without even a greeting.

'Oh... the dwarf is looking down on me... how cute~' — I thought... sarcastically.

We began going down the stairs. In the end, on the first floor, the rest of the Sylfinnier family members were waiting for us, the two young ladies.

"Father!" — Said Theressa while running down the remaining four steps of the stairs, holding her dress so as not to fall. I walked down right behind her, hoping she would actually fall hard on her face.

The Duke and the rest turned towards us thanks to her call.

"...My daughters... both of you are just in time. I see you are putting effort even before the Ball begins... you both look lovely today..." — Said the Duke, as we approached him and the others.

He was making a happy face while Theressa kept acting cute in front of him, bragging about her dress. Then, he turned to me and smiled at me, however, his eyes looked at me with clear concern.

I greeted him in my own way and, unfortunately, my eyes met with Paul's right after that.

His eyes were fixed on me. It freaked me out how intensely he stared. I couldn't decipher what he was thinking while staring at me that way, but I was sure it was a bad sign.

'Sigh.....I have to be careful. I doubt he will do something in public... but I have to avoid being alone with him... at all cost.'

My body was slightly shivering now that I caught notice of him. Thanks to this obvious warning from Marianne, my thoughts made this resolution a priority.

Then, I met the Duchess's gaze while She was pouring compliments on Theressa. It was just a moment, but the look she gave me was very uncomfortable.....

From the time I possessed Anne, the Duchess has only talked to me that one time when Paul left to the Latrishk Kingdom. The rest of the time she would give me the same eyes.

She doesn't like us. She finds our existence uncomfortable... That's the message I get from her attitude.

'... Was she always like this towards Anne?...'

It makes me wonder if she even treated Marianne differently when she was still... "normal".

Soon, The Duke gave the last instructions to the Butler and finally said.

"Now that we are ready, let us depart. The sooner we get to our lodgings in the Palace, the better."

There were four carriages parked outside. The first one was ridden by Marianne's parents, the next one had the Duchy's children and the last two had our luggage. I didn't certainly know if there was a need to bring so much luggage, for it to be loaded in two carriages.

It's not unreasonable since this is a noble family... but I feel like being picky. I want to judge since I'm feeling nervous going to an unknown place. If I pick on little things or I am mean... I'll calm down. Surprisingly, being an a** is very liberating.

'I plan on criticizing both of my siblings all the way to the Palace...both of them are not good people, so they deserve it. I'll even complain about the ride, the seat, the weather, the bug on the floor! I won't hold back!'

From the moment we started boarding the carriages the complaints overflowed in my head.

It was hell from the very beginning.

Starting with Paul helping us, his little sisters, get into the carriage.

'Tch... the dwarf got in first?! She should know her place... looking down on me, the older one... D*mn brat!'

I had to hold Paul's hand next...

'... Tsk! My hand got infected by this pervert... aah! so annoying!... Aish freaking stairs, so high!... f*ck! Now I have to choose where to sit?! Can't I go in a separate carriage?...going crazy... now I have to breathe the same oxygen..... @%#*%^@*^#(9#)!;#£#...'

Like this, I arrived with a refreshed mind to our destination after cursing all the way there.

We left at around eleven in the morning... and arrived around two in the afternoon...

'… We are still in the same city… right?' — The long travel made me think.

The Royal Palace was no joke. It was four times the size of our castle's territory. It took some time to arrive at our lodgings that were located at the West Wing building, better known as the "Royal Guest Palace", where Royal knights welcomed us. Each of us had our own room, and until the Ball began, I, fortunately, had no interaction with any member of the family.

As soon as I reached my room with my personal maid, servants from the Palace carrying my luggage followed.

The preparations began immediately. From the underclothes, the dress, the jewellery, the hairstyle, make-up and even the perfume, everything was changed. I even had to take another bath.

'At this rate... I'll wear out..... I don't think they will give me any food either...'

I just closed my eyes the whole time while the maids prepared me. I focused on cursing in my head about how life really sucks with an empty stomach.

Therefore I didn't see the process and only saw the end result of the maids' efforts.

"....."

...I looked stunning. Marianne's beauty was incredible. It honestly was a beauty only found in another world.

I had my hair braided with golden threads which ended up flowing loosely in a ponytail, pale golden pearls were decorating my hair, following the trace of the golden threads.

My make-up was sober but slightly mature, my lips had an appetizing cherry colour and my cheeks were rosy.

The dress was the same colour as the decorative pearls in my head, while an elaborate red embroidery was all over the corset. From the waist, the colour gradually changed to a cream shade. The shoulders were puffy and ended with frills at my forearms. The cleavage had a square shape, that started at the edge of each of my shoulders. My neckline was conservative, and the line where my breasts meet was peeking out only a millimetre, which actually made one want to see more... No necklace and only red earrings were used.

'Marianne... you're so hot...' — I said drooling inside at the sight.

'Even if I'm a girl and don't swing that way, I would aim at you... da~~mn!'

... I wish I could whistle. So frustrating...

I was all ready to go a little before six in the evening just when the sun was starting to hide. But, opposite to my concerns, we were just in time.

Not long after finishing preparations, I was informed we were due to head to the Royal Ball Room at the Main Palace and so, I met my family outside to ride the carriages. They were all there by the time I got there, praising Theressa who was wearing a dark red dress with white embroidery and her hair half tied with flashy accessories.

I came closer since none of them seemed to notice my presence.

And when they saw me, no one uttered a word.

'Mhmm... I know~ I know~ Our Marianne is just too pretty ~' — I singsonged to their reactions.

The Duke, who recovered first from my sudden attack, approached me and held one of my hands very gently.

"Marianne... you look too beautiful, Dear." — He said, seeming taken aback with a mix of emotions showing in his eyes.

The others didn't say anything, but I could see Paul and Theressa gritting their teeth. Though, their reasons for doing so were certainly different.

We soon began to board the carriages just like before. However, this time, Paul didn't offer his hand but took mine directly on his own accord.

He gripped my hand tightly and, moving his head closer to it... I was able to hear how he inhaled a deep breath.

Then, a burning gaze fell upon me.

'... Crazy psycho...'

Although I thought this, I did not avert my eyes since doing so seemed to be the safest option. And when he lowered his gaze, I took it as my cue to finally get inside the carriage, doing so as quick as I could manage.

'... Will I survive this...? I wonder...'