Belle of the Ball

The whole Astrana was celebrating the day, except for me who was worried about my fiance.

'How the hell will I be able to dance with James?' was the only question running in my mind throughout that week. Edward hadn't given me any proper replies so far. He was just pacifying me saying he will take care of everything. Even on the day of the ball, he hadn't given me any proper information on this. After thinking about the possible situations and problems and stack piling a few lies which I could say in case anything happens, I started preparing myself for the night.

After finishing all the make-up, I stood up and looked at my reflection in the mirror.

I was wearing a brown flare tulle ruffle ball gown. The ruffles around me had a variety of browns. The shade of the brown darkened from my waist to the hem. The area around the hem was mahogany brown.

The dress was designed with a straight-across neckline exposing my collarbones and shoulders. I did not need to worry about this look since I looked better, unlike my previous lifetime.

There were diamond-like crystal works in the ruffles near my waist area. The crystals reduced with the flare, leaving the area near them crystal free.

The upper area of the gown was also mahogany brown and was densely decorated with embedded crystals.

My hair was styled in a loose wave hairdo and I was wearing a very light platinum crown which was more like a leaf crown. Every leaf was stone set with diamonds. Even I was stunned by the way I looked in that outfit.

I had already crossed swords with Evelyn. It was essential for me to look better than her that day. Or else, it would be a shame in front of all those girls who have supported me that day.

I was aware that Evelyn would dress in the finest way possible from what I've read in the novel. Despite that, Flora was able to defeat her because of simplicity. Though what I was wearing cannot exactly be called 'simple', still I looked 'normal'. It was a lavish yet minimalistic look. Looking at my reflection at that moment, I was confident that I can beat her in this.

Not only mine, but even my maids' appearances were also stunning. Each of them looked so beautiful in a different way.

They were all dressed in ruffled gowns similar to mine. Lilly was wearing a sky blue ruffle gown. Violet was wearing a baby pink ruffle gown. Flora was wearing a Graham Thomas yellow ruffle gown. The only difference they had with my gown was that theirs lacked those crystal works and they were not wearing a crown. Still, they all looked gorgeous.

When I opened the door and went outside, I could see all my four guards already waiting for us by the door. Though my eyes tried to drift immediately to Victor, I tried my best to control them and looked at the other three first. To my surprise, they were not wearing their usual navy blue tunics. Instead of it, they were all wearing black double-breasted gothic-styled military jackets. These jackets were decorated with black embroidery and black decorative buttons. As for their boots, they were wearing new tall boots which were black. The way they looked all black fitted my taste.

After that, I finally turned to my man. He was also wearing the same outfit. I squinted and looked at his suit to find whether his jacket had any extra decorations. It should be there since he was the chief guard. Finally, I found them. Unlike the others, there were epaulettes with decorative buttons on both of his shoulders.

I felt like they were not enough. Still, I let it slide since he looked a thousand times better than the other three. It may be because he is the apple to my eyes.

I indeed thought he looked stunning in that outfit, but from his side, I didn't get any reactions. His gaze only fell on me and stayed on me for three seconds. I focused more on his face to read his nonchalant expression. With this, he had already averted his gaze away from me.

He had been avoiding me since the day I winked at him. Finally, that day I managed to make him look at me for two more seconds, unlike the previous day where he only looked at my face for just a second. I should be happy.

After that, nothing important happened since he was not looking at me. He was focused on the surroundings and giving commands to the other three. Within a few minutes, as usual, the four of them stepped forward and stood in my four corners.

I had to visit the ballroom in a few minutes. I ordered the others to move and moved along with them.

The princess's palace's doors were opening seeing our arrival. I moved forward with all my four guards walking at four corners. My three maids followed me behind. Behind them, all the people who works in the princess's palace who had been waiting for us by the palace doors followed. It was more like a parade and I was indeed embarrassed to walk with all those pageantries.

When we reached the vestibule of the great palace, the guards by the grand door of ball room announced our arrival.

"Her Royal Highness, the princess Athena!"

I frowned as it made me a lot more nervous. The grand door opened for us to enter. When I stepped inside the ballroom, I became the centre of attention in no minute. Hundreds of heads turned in our direction and all of them bowed to show their respect to me. As I was taught before, I slightly bowed back at them then looked straight at the stage at the end of that ballroom.

The queen who was wearing a beautiful purple satin gown was standing straight in front of me. She was wearing a larger diamond crown this time. Besides her, Edward was standing there with a lavish white gothic-styled long jacket. His golden hair was combed back into the slicked-back hairstyle, like Victor's. This hairstyle didn't suit Edward.

I walked keeping my head high. It was a bit difficult since I was wearing a long ball gown. Still, I had to do so since that was what the queen taught me a few days back.

Now, I stepped up on the stage and stood on the other side of the queen. All my four guards stood beside the stairs.

"Mother!" I called her and bowed once.

"I'm happy Nana. I was worried about you. But you look so pretty today. She is no match for you!" the queen cheerfully elegantly whispered beside my ears, as if we were talking something so important.

Still, I had no idea whom she was comparing me with. When I followed her gaze, I confronted Evelyn who was wearing heavy makeup and jewels. Her crimson red ball gown didn't fit in the occasion. Also, the way she has added the same colour lip balm made her look more like a witch.

I was looking better than her. There was no need to compare. I sighed in relief.

After a few seconds, the queen whispered in my ears again. "Where is James?" she asked.

This time I looked at Edward in confusion. "Brother, James... Do you know where he is?" I widened my eyes and put an act.

I had no idea what Edward was planning still, I was able to see he was still fine after that question. "He'll be here any minute, sister" he guaranteed.

I strongly believed there was no way for James to appear there. So I was patiently waiting for the right time to ask Edward about it but within a few minutes, Evelyn came and stood in between the queen and me and muttered. "Your Highness, there is an emergency in Letresh. My brother had to go back immediately."

The queen's face visible darkened and my face bloomed. I looked at Edward and he nodded in confirmation. It was his work. I was so happy. But my only worry was whether this stupid Evelyn was aware of James' condition or not. I had all along known that she would do anything for Edward. If Edward had asked her to lie, she would lie without hesitation. She was that much obsessed with Edward. But the fact that she has no care for her brother slightly amazed me.

"Dear citizens!"

The queen said bringing everyone's attention to her. "Enjoy yourselves" she lifted the wine glass she was holding up and started the ball.

The best musician in the whole Astrana started playing the piano placed at a side of that ballroom. It was a piece of music that suited that royal gathering. Following the piano, the music trope started playing the violin and others.

Following that, Edward and Evelyn stepped down from the stage, hands in hands. Following them, a few other couples got on the dance floor and started dancing.