Chapter 5

If there was someone in the kingdom whose wealth rivals the royal family, it would be none other than the Duchess. The hand she had over the wealth of the kingdom was terrifying. The Duchess owned many jewel mines, businesses, and exports. The money she accumulated at her young age was truly a sight to behold.

It was no wonder that someone like her would be worthy of the crown prince's hand in marriage. The two looked perfect for each other on the surface. Beautiful, rich, their status as the highest of the nobility of Cresia.

But I know that woman is more rotten than a dying fruit tree. Entitled and arrogant. In the novels, she looks down on everyone she considers less than her. She can be violent and can be seen hurting those who disagree with her. To think someone like her is what caused Violette to die is, well, not surprising. I should just avoid her. If I want to avoid my death, if that is possible, I should get out of her way at all cost.

The 5 of them walked to the other side of the ballroom. At the other end, a set of stairs lead to 2 thrones. They stopped just in front of the stairs. Turning around to face the rest of the room.

Helix took a step forward "It is with my sincerest gratitude that all of you gather here today for my daughter's birthday," He announced. His voice was mighty, commanding the attention and respect from everyone present in the hall. He commanded everyone to stop bowing. Everyone stands back up straight, their eyes staring at the royal family. I took a moment to study the emperor's appearance. Despite only being in his 40s, his hair was white. The Emperor and both his treasured children had white hair, which made them stand out amongst everyone. The emperor's green eyes looked around the room, scanning his subjects. The clothes he wore were extravagant, nothing like I've ever seen before.

I then look over at the princess. Her white hair is just as brilliant as her father's. Her large yellow eyes, though, were not scanning anything. It's like they are staring off into the distance, off in space somewhere. 

"However, that is not the only reason why this ball was held," Helix continued. Everyone else in the room began to whisper. They gossip amongst themselves, but I already know what the emperor wanted to say.

"This ball is also held to announce my son's engagement with Duchess Marian Xipil!"

His words echoed throughout the room. In an instant, whispers and gossip flooded the room. My ears ring with the confusion and surprise all around me. 

So loud.

The emperor continued on the details of their relationship. Though, that wasn't what I'm focused on. I want to go home, and I need to find Isadora before I can leave. But my mind was recollecting the events of the novel. This moment, this very important turning point of the plot.

This moment, Isadora and Oberon would have made eye contact. This moment in the novel was when Isadora fell in love with the imperial prince. Though, she didn't know it at the time. I looked at Oberon to see where he was looking. His gold and green eyes were looking directly at someone I couldn't see. He has to be looking at Isadora. For a moment, I took my time to look at his eyes. His right eye was golden, like a shiny coin within a heap of treasures. His left, on the other hand, is green like a soft grassfield in spring.

Then my eyes wandered to his side. To Marian.

She was glaring at me, a small smile on her face. Her eyes are void of emotions.

"I thank you all for attending my daughter's ball. Enjoy the rest of the evening," Helix finalized his speech. Marian then turns to Oberon, as if completely forgetting my presence. I almost dropped my glass of wine from fear. 

I felt like she was cursing me to die with that glare!

I look all around the ballroom, trying to find Isadora. I wanted to leave now. I can't stand the idea of being in the same place as the villainess. Quickly going to the side of the ballroom where Oberon was looking at, my heels messed with my balance. It was like my legs were jelly. I couldn't walk straight.

Music started playing. People started dancing and getting in my way. God, I just can't catch a break can I? I took a very small sip from my glass. Frustrated, with a tiny feeling of dread.

I'm wasting time just standing here. This ballroom is too big for its own good. If it weren't for these shoes, I might have found Isadora by now. Come to think of it, had Isadora worn these shoes it would have been easier to find her. If I didn't switch shoes with her, maybe she wouldn't have moved around so much.

God! No time to think! I have to find her before I happen to find Marian. Actually, no. That won't happen! Marian is probably with Oberon right now. After all, she's his fiance! I look around, spotting Oberon immediately. His appearance stands out a lot. Though, Marian is nowhere to be seen.

WAIT! WHERE IS SHE!?

Oh god, if she's not with him then she's probably somewhere in the crowd. I could run into her! Isadora, where are you? I need to find Isadora now!

Despite my heels hurting me, I began jogging around the ballroom. I wandered the hall to where I think Isadora is at. I'm getting desperate. God knows where both Isadora AND Marian are. The crowd became a blur as I started running.

"Ex-excuse me! Pardon me!" I tried to make my way throughout the dancing crowd. I kept being pushed around by the attendees. It felt hard to breathe as I maneuvered around the ballroom. Was it the atmosphere? The anxiety of meeting someone I don't want to? I don't know.

I couldn't think clearly as I moved around. Before I knew it someone bumped into me, causing me to fall. "Whoa-!" I landed face first, my hand letting go of the glass I was holding. "Ow…" My hands turned into fist as my knees ached from the fall. I slowly stand back up. My face went red from embarrassment and humiliation.

However, those emotions of shame were quickly replaced with dread as I looked ahead of me.

Standing in front of me was a woman wearing red. Her back was turned to me. The wine I had spilled covered her crimson red hair and has dripped down her body.

Oh no.

"I-I-I-I-I-!" I couldn't find the words. I wanted to say something. I needed to say something. Before I could form a sentence, I heard… laughing? For a moment, I couldn't figure out the source of the laughter. It was like my frightened mind blurred out the sound. I focused, and in a second I realized who was the one laughing.

It was from Marian herself. 

"My my! Isn't this interesting?!" She turns to me. The wine drips down her hair, covering half of her face. She brings her hand to her face, her fingers feeling the wine.

"First the adopted orphan, then the little weasel?"

Her bright pink eyes were wide, glaring directly into my very soul. I expected a frown on her face. An angry, hateful frown. But instead, Marian was smiling. Her mouth was wide, grinning ear to ear as she stared at me. The wine on her face… it suddenly resembled blood.

She looked like a murderer who had just killed someone.

SHE'S GOING TO KILL VIOLETTE!

I screamed in my head. Panicked, I tried to think of the best way to form an apology. If I don't apologize, she'll kill me here and now!

"I'm so sorry, Lady Marian! P-please accept my sincerest apologies!" I went down to my knees. My forehead touched the floor as I gave it my all. "I-it was an accident! Please forgive me!" I felt like crying. My heart pounded. I heard a giggle. Not just from Marian but a few around me. "Goodness me… You've changed so much." Marian comments.

"Stand up!" She pauses, a smirk on her drenched face "Don't you think it's pathetic for a noble to be bowing her head like a peasant?!" Her words echoed in my ear. I look around. Everyone did have their eyes on me. Even the musicians stopped playing their song. I should feel ashamed, but I just feel nervous. "It was my fault Lady Marian! But it-it'll never happen again," I stammer, still frightened by the villainess' appearance.

Another laughter erupted from her.

"You act like I'll kill you… It's actually quite humorous, Violette Itzal," The grin from her face never leaves.

I needed to get out of here now. I need to keep looking for Isadora. Standing up, I begin to walk past Marian "I'll leave immediately! just wanted to find-" 

Then I saw her. Isadora was standing mere inches behind Marian this whole time. I was too focused on Marian to see her. I paused for a moment "I-Isadora! There you are! Are you alright?!" I rushed over to her. 

Isadora froze. She didn't want to say anything. She definitely saw that the whole thing went down. 

"Coming all this way and causing trouble just for her?" Marian said behind me "I don't see what's so special about that orphan." Some surge of strange emotions rushed through me when Marian said that. I grabbed Isadora's arm instinctively.

"Marian-!"

"Hm? What is it?" Marian tilts her head.

I wanted to say something. Just anything to not escalate the argument anymore. I just don't know what to say. My fist clenched.

What would Violette say in this situation?

What would this background character like her say? Violette isn't the type of person who likes disgracing her family name. She is said to be strict, yet friendly. Above all else, she puts the reputation of her family ahead of everything. But what else? What would she have said? 

"Lady Marian," I paused, a lump forming in my throat "I give you my sincerest apologies. My sister and I did not mean to cause such a ruckus tonight." Despite my fears, I stared Marian directly. Her pink eyes met my black ones. 

"Please do not view the Itzal family negatively because of this. I beg of you," My grip around Isadora tightens. 

"Huh? Aren't you taking this too far?" Despite Marian's confusion, she still smiled at me. If only she knew how I felt about her. Maybe then she would think all this apologizing is justified.

Marian sighs "It is quite disappointing. I really like this dress too." I took a step back. I should make up for it, if I don't she'll stay mad at me. That could end very badly. "I'll make up for it my lady. I'll pay for a new one-" "No, I don't think that will do. Getting a new dress is not enough for this," Marian interrupts me.

"I will make up for it one way…"

Upon hearing that, Marian ponders. She walks over to a server. Picking up a glass of wine, she walks over to me. 

"How about we make it even?" A sinister grin spreads across her face as she looks down at me.She stood in front of me, the hand holding the glass raised over my head.

"Wh-!?" Before I could utter a word, she tilted the glass over. I closed my eyes instinctively.

However, I felt someone push me to the side, clearing the wine from hitting. I shot my eyes open to see black hair in my stead.

Isadora?

"Oh?" Marian was also confused. However, it did not stop her from pouring the whole glass onto Isadora. My muscles froze as Isadora stood there, wine dripping down her hair.

This… this happened in the novels too. 

"What's going on here?!" Someone shouted. Their voice was strong, not an ounce of nervousness. 

Marian and I looked up. She turns around to the source of the voice. The crowd stepped aside as they came forth. Me and Isadora looked over to the person.

The Imperial prince, Oberon Amaris.

"Ah, darling," Marian smiled, the wine still dripping from her head. She drops the glass right on the floor. Glass shards scattered as she walks over to Oberon "Don't mind us," She walks over to Oberon, grabbing his arms affectionately.

Oberon, however, was not amused "Marian, do not conduct yourself in such an ill-fitting manner. This kind of behavior would not be let off so easily if you were in any other position," He spoke with a stern voice. 

"No need to worry your pretty little head. I was just teaching this girl to be more careful," Her smile to him was passionate, unlike the sadistic smile I saw moments earlier.

Oberon looks over to me and Isadora. Along with how wine had stained Isadora's dress and how I was holding onto her, he must have thought something had happened. It did, but quite frankly I want this to be over.

I want to go home with Isadora. Leave this all behind and pray I don't encounter Marian again. Oberon's eyes narrowed. I couldn't put my finger on what he was thinking. Whatever it was though, it wasn't good. 

"It was entirely my fault, your highness," I was nervous to admit. "I shall prepare my departure. Please forgive me for causing your lover such shame." He wasn't a hot-headed person, but I still can't help but fear making an enemy of him. Oberon didn't say a word to me, yet he continued to stare.

"Dear, she's not worth your time. Let's not cause any more commotion, shall we?" Marian chimed in. For once, I'm thankful.

Oberon sighs, and with one last glance at me and Isadora, he walks away with the villainess. I felt like I was going to explode. That was such a horrible experience. I hope Evora or Elliot doesn't catch wind of this. 

I let go of Isadora's hand. My fingers clutched my chests as I took a deep breath.

"Lady Violette…?" Isadora spoke up with a small voice. I turned my attention to her. Her stained mint dress begins to reek of the wine. "Let's head home. I'll ask a servant to wash that dress of yours," I tried to give her my best smile, but all I could muster up was a faint smile.

Reluctantly, Isadora nods. She followed me down the ballroom. I was walking at a slow pace. My shoes were still hurting my ankles. Soon, I'll be out of this palace and back at home. My new comfortable home that I now live in. I couldn't have asked for anything better.

"Wait!"

Someone called out behind us. A male voice. Me and Isadora turned around. Soft locks of strawberry blonde hair that was tied into a ponytail flowed as he ran towards us. His blue eyes fixated on me and Isadora.