Facing The Giants

EVIE

Meanwhile, at Evie and Ms. Huang's Chamber.

"Oh, no! I know you look good at that, Evie. But you remember what the duchess said last night?" Ms. Huang scolded her as she pushed her back to the dressing room.

To Evie's surprise, she even followed her inside. "Now turn your back on me, dear."

"No, I can manage, Ms. Huang," Evie quickly retorted with a wave of her hand. But the corset was already in her hands. "Joyce. Just call me Joyce," she grinned at her.

It seemed like she was not planning to leave until she achieved her goal, making Evie sigh.

They will only be late for the Royal Meeting, so she allowed her to have her way.

Joyce pulled the white gown away from Evie's hands and laid it back before picking up the corset.

'Their rules are absurd,' Evie muttered, but she turned around and allowed Joyce to help her.

"It's not too bad to wear them for once. Now inhale," she instructed as she lifted her palm in the air.

"More please," she added, as Evie's obedience to her instruction didn't satisfy her.

Evie inhaled as much air as could fill her lungs before Joyce was able to pull the two strings together.

"There you go," Joyce smiled satisfactorily as she dusted her hand.

"I - can't - breathe," Evie said in between gasps as she held onto the chair, her head spinning.

Joyce was going for her next project, which was the yellow gown that Evie was supposed to wear. But she stopped as she saw Evie's struggle.

She smiled at her thoughtfully before she grinned. "You will get used to it, trust me. When you see how you'll look sexier with that, you'll want to use it often," before she giggled.

"Changing for others won't change anything," Evie blurted out unconsciously, making Joyce freeze for a fraction of a second.

Evie thought that Joyce would leave, but she stayed where she was and continued to babble after sitting on a chair, crossing her legs, and putting her hand on her chin.

"You know I had a boyfriend before who used to like me because I was always wearing corsets on our dates. But when he found out about my not-so-small tummy, he ghosted me at once," she blubbered nonchalantly.

"Jerk," Evie couldn't help but react as she zipped the gown up.

"Yeah, I know," Joyce agreed with her eyes wide open, her hands waving in the air as she put both her feet down. "But see how powerful it is to attract the men that you want."

Then she quickly added as she folded her arms in front of her, "Well, you don't need that advice, anyway. Mr. Wang is crawling on the floor to you. Why don't you answer him? He's single and hot. Do you already have a boyfriend? I haven't seen you with a man ever."

"Do I have to?" Evie replied unconsciously before someone announced from the outside, "Your presence is already requested at the Royal Meeting. Please come out now, my ladies."

Joyce continued to mumble as they walk along the Palace hallways, "I can't believe it. I have had a boyfriend since eight years old. Well, of course, it is puppy love."

Evie nodded her head as if she was listening. But her attention darted to her surroundings.

The hallways boasted marble beige floors. Emerald green drapes decorated its golden walls, which were in between massive windows, overlooking the Paradis Gardens.

The servants who were guarding them the previous night marched behind them with united steps while the duchess was walking in front, guiding them to the throne room where the Royal Ministers were already having their meeting.

The duchess spoke, finally silencing Joyce, "The Royal Ministers are made up of the Dukes and Duchesses governing the 78 Islands of Edin. And most importantly, the Emperor of the Elysian Empire is here. It is a rare occasion that He is here with us today. He must be interested in your presence. I hope that you have perfected what I have told you last night so you can gain His approval."

Evie's hand flew to her stomach area as she unconsciously tried to give way for her diaphragm to breathe.

Joyce immediately reached out and pressed her hand, "Oh my gosh, I think I'm going to pee."

'She's right,' Evie thought as the door to the throne room opened, the meeting displaying an unsightly scene in front of them.

A red velvet carpet separated the Royal Ministers, grouping them into two. However, it seemed like it wasn't just the carpet that separated them, but their conflicting opinions as well.

On the golden throne seemed to be the Emperor that the duchess was talking about. And he was discussing something with King Adamos, on his side, seated in a royal chair.

"Announcing the presence of Lady Evie and Lady Joyce of Singapore," the Royal Advocate informed everyone, shushing the members of the meeting.

Evie drew in a deep breath as she readied herself, while Joyce nervously whispered, "Please catch me if I passed out."

'I am the one who should have said that,' Evie thought as her hand went to her stomach again, her fingers touching the corset underneath.

It is Evie who first walked in, wanting the meeting to be as quick as possible, followed by Joyce.

As she expected, all eyes in the room were on them. Some of the Royal Ministers who were at the back tilted their head so they can see them clearly. The others who were at the front had various assumptions as some were grimacing, while the others were smiling at them.

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The fastest way to move forward is to face your fears.