After class, I said goodbye to Millie and met William and Dante. As we walked through the hall I could hear several whispers. I have grown accustomed to the idle gossip that comes with the two male leads of the original novel.
Today I seem hyperaware of all the glares I am receiving from Dante's fans. However, William's fans seem to be overjoyed. Such a strange bunch of ladies. Don't they know that they don't have a chance with either of them?
Actually now that I think about it, in the original novel the main male lead, William, ends up with the female lead, Mary. Dante on the other hand, doesn't get anyone. Honestly, I can't even remember what happens to him in the end. I think he's the forever alone character.
I almost feel sorry for him. Almost.
He glanced at me with his trademark smile, "Why are you staring at me with pity?"
"Because you're pitiful."
He ignored me and gave that creepy smile of his that always gives me chills. He's no fun.
I looked at William, "You're pitiful too."
He looked at me flustered, "What?! No I'm not! Why would you say that?!"
"Because it's true."
"I'm not pitiful! You are!"
I nodded my head. Yes. William is much more fun to tease. Dante is so boring.
We approached the carriage and saw Lona waiting. She noticed my jacket, "Why are you wearing that?"
"My dress ripped today. I told you it was too tight! It was so embarrassing I cried!"
"Oh. Well maybe you'll stop eating so much cake then."
"Lona! You're supposed to comfort me!!!"
"I will comfort you once you stop eating only sweets."
I crossed my arms and huffed, "But you were the one that pointed out that if I eat too much cake, I get bloated but it will eventually go away."
She looked shocked, "I said that?"
I paused, "You didn't?"
She shook her head, "I didn't notice that, but I suppose that makes sense."
Wait. Does that mean Dante lied to me?!
I flipped my head towards him demanding an answer, but he quickly climbed into the carriage ignoring me.
Why did he lie?! I need answers d*mnit!
Lona crossed her arms sternly, "Wait a moment. I don't recall letting you eat any dessert."
Ack. Busted.
I hurried into the carriage after Dante. The other two followed and another awkward carriage ride commenced. I glared at Dante who just gave me a fake smile. I will get him back for lying.
We arrived at Williams house and started walking to where we usually trained. At another hallway that led into ours, I noticed the Queens dress flash momentarily. Is she hiding behind a wall to scare us?
I smiled. Actually, this is perfect. I shall enact phase 2.
I groaned, "Ugh. I don't want to go home tonight. Can I just stay here?"
William looked at me, "Is it really that bad?"
"Yes! Ever since the Duke's visit, my parents have been on edge and fighting even more. I'm tired of getting headaches."
"Tch. I can't believe he had the audacity to go to your house and demand such unreasonable things."
Queen Luna jumped out from her hiding place. William flinched and I acted like I too had been surprised.
"What do you mean the Duke's visit?"
I looked at my feet timidly, "Oh. It's nothing Queen Luna."
She glanced at William, "William what is she talking about?"
He crossed his arms angrily, "Duke Bayne visited Seri's house and demanded that she cuts ties with us and apologize to Ilene."
"He did?! That scheming little..."
"Seri only got him to leave after agreeing to meet with a doctor to see if she's stable or not."
"Hmph. Well it's a good thing she isn't mentally ill." Her confident face held a hint of concern, "I think."
My word. Not you too.
She looked at me with a stern face, "Just be careful Seri. Doctors like that can find anything wrong with you even if it's not true."
William looked at Queen Luna, "Wait. Were you eavesdropping?"
She smiled sweetly, "No, William. It would be unbecoming of a Queen to eavesdrop."
"But-"
She clapped her hands, "More importantly. Why are you wearing Dante's jacket?"
I chuckled, "Well it's kind of embarrassing but my dress ripped today."
She glared at William, "And why didn't you offer your jacket?"
He froze from her angry tone, "W-well. I-I just..."
She huffed, "We will talk about this later William. It seems you need to be taught better manners."
My smile twitched. It's almost painful to deal with her always trying to pair me up with her son. Does she really keep forgetting that he has a fiance? Or does she just not care? Maybe she's just really into shipping people.
She smiled, "Well. It's a good thing I have some free time right now. I can finally see how all those dresses I got look on you!"
Uh. Wut.
The servant behind her looked startled, "But- Queen Luna! The paperwork-"
She grabbed my hand and quickly led me away. The servant looked miserable. Lona walked after us leaving behind the two boys. They didn't know what else to do, so they also followed.
I looked to Dante and William for help but was ignored. Ah. I want to cry.
We walked into a room with a few sofas that led to another room which was a huge closet. This room is ten times bigger than mine and it's filled with dresses!! What is this?! A boutique?!
William, Dante, and Lona sat on the sofa as indicated by Queen Luna. All of a sudden, several maids walked in like a line of ants. They shut the door behind them and began to attack me.
Alright, attack is a strong word. But they are very aggressive with changing me!! I've never had anyone put me in another outfit so fast. It's terrifying!!
After they put me in another outfit, they threw open the doors and had me walk out like I was some side show act. This is embarrassing.
Queen Luna clapped excitedly, "That one looks so nice with your eyes!!! Okay next one!"
Next one?! How many more times is she going to do this dress reveal?! I feel like a bride trying on wedding dresses.
At first, I walked out feeling grumpy, but after the applause from Lona and Queen Luna, I started to enjoy it. I started to walk out like a model and even did some poses.
Queen Luna clapped excitedly, "So cute! So cute! More!"
Before we realized it, it was already getting late. The Queen sighed, "I guess this should be the last one."
William sighed in relief. He and Dante sat there patiently, but they were clearly bored. This wasn't something they had interest in. To be fair, I didn't have much interest in it either. However, hearing applause is very pleasing to the ear so I will accept this for now.
As I went back into the room, the maids slammed the door behind me making me jump. They stared at me with hungry eyes.
What the f*ck is going on here.
"It's time for the grand finale."
I looked at the maid concerned, "G-grand finale?"
Suddenly they had fire in their eyes as they grabbed onto me. They changed me quickly and started putting on makeup and doing my hair.
Aren't I too young for makeup?!
One maid spoke, "You're going to look so adorable. Prince William won't be able to take his eyes off of you!"
The other spoke, "Who cares about Prince William?! Dante will be the one to ask for her hand in marriage after seeing her."
Another shouted, "Dante isn't suited for Seri! Only William can marry her!"
What fresh hell is this.
"William can't marry her! He already has a fiance!!"
"So?!"
"So!?"
Suddenly the room split. One side shouted, "Team William!" The other shouted, "Team Dante!"
When the f*ck did it become like this?! How did I even get to be the center of a shipping war?!
It's like being in the godd*mn theater for Tw*l*ght!
They all turned to me with flaring noses, "So?!"
I froze, "Uhhh. What?"
"Who do you chose?!"
Are... Are you kidding?! NEITHER!
I answered calmly, "I plead the 5th."
One maid smiled smugly, "I bet it will be Prince William who declares his affection and succeeds."
Another scoffed, "I bet it will be Dante instead."
If anyone needs to have a doctor check them out, it's these ladies!!!
As the maids began to bet money, I sat there in stunned silence.
Yup. This is one bet I'm not interested in participating with.
They quickly finished my look and put me in front of a mirror. D*mn I look fine as f*ck. Feels a bit weird saying that while I'm a child, but I can't help it if I look gorgeous.
Also, this outfit makes me look much older. I hate to admit it, but Queen Luna has nice tastes. Although she's a lolicon like my father, at least she seems more reasonable.
The maids prepared an elaborate reveal. One spoke in a deep voice, "Now introducing... The magnificent... The beautiful... The amazing... The alluring goddess... Seri!"
What the f*ck is up with that intro?!
The doors flung open and smoke bellowed out.
WHERE THE F*CK DID THIS SMOKE COME FROM?!?!
The lights turned into a spotlight to focus on me.
A SPOTLIGHT?! HOW.
This isn't normal. It must be the devil's work.
I walked into the room and pursed my lips. I flung my hips and posed. I winked towards Dante and William. I blew a kiss to my audience.
Well? Isn't it like they said? Aren't I a goddess?
Williams mouth dropped so fast it gave new meaning to being surprised. Even Dante couldn't mask how stunned he was and almost fell off of the sofa.
Queen Luna stood up clapping loudly. Lona was so stunned she had to force herself to clap. She almost didn't recognize the small child in front of her.
I bowed, "Thank you. Thank you."
Queen Luna squealed, "Ahhh! It looks so good on you!!!"
I tossed my hair, "It doesn't look too bad I suppose."
Queen Luna quickly turned to William, "Well?! Aren't you going to say something?"
He gulped, "Yes. Seri... You look... You look okay."
She frowned, "Okay? That's how you compliment her?"
He looked down and turned red. Ah, what a tsundere prince.
I glanced at Dante and gave a smug smile, "Well? What do you think?"
He responded making sure not to reveal how he felt, "You look very beautiful. Even though it doesn't really suit you."
I stared at him blankly. I guess that's as close to a compliment as I will get from him. Okay, I'll accept it.
Queen Luna cheered, "You can wear that home. I will also give Lona some dresses for you to take home."
Lona held in her sigh. She knew that Luna would give them far too many clothes that she would have to carry.
After we had left, I sat smiling at Lona in the carriage. I couldn't help it. I just feel so beautiful.
"Your father is going to have a heart attack when he sees you."
I shrugged, "It can't be that bad."
Sure enough, when we returned my father fainted at the sight of me. Lona quickly shuffled me to my room as the other servants tended to him. Once we got to the room, she started to get the makeup off of me.
Ah, what a shame. I wish I could have worn it longer.
"So..."
I looked up at her, "So?"
"Tell me how you ate sweets last night."
I froze. How did she remember?!
"That reminds me!" I jumped up and pulled out the gift I had bought her. I handed her it.
She looked at it questioningly, "What is it?"
"It's a gift."
"Homemade?"
"No. I bought this."
She sighed in relief, "Oh good."
"What's that supposed to mean."
"Let's just see what this is~"
Don't change the topic.
She opened the package and her eyes widened. She pulled out a silver chain with a ring hanging off of it. The ring wasn't anything flashy. It had a minimalist design with one bright white jewel. It was simple, but clearly expensive.
"Why did you get me a ring?"
"Isn't it obvious? It's because you're my one and only!"
She sighed, "Do you even know what you're talking about?"
"Yes. It means you're my most precious person and I don't want you to get a man."
"A man?"
"Yes! If you get married you won't take care of me anymore! You'll be having kids and being boring!"
She chuckled, "You don't have to worry about that. I'm past the marrying age."
"Marrying age?"
"Yes. I'm 24."
That's past the marrying age?! Oof. That hurts a bit.
"So why did you chose this?"
"I thought it suited you. It's functional so you can wear it while working and hide it if you need to. It's also not gaudy and would look natural on you."
She bent down and hugged me. I tensed up. Usually, I hate when people touch me, but this isn't so bad. I felt myself relax and hesitantly hugged her back.
She spoke into my ear, "Thank you. I will always treasure it."
I smiled in her embrace, "So you don't hate me anymore?"
"I never hated you. I was just a bit disappointed."
"That's good. I can deal with disappointment."
She chuckled, "That's good."
She hugged me tighter. Okay. It's getting a bit too tight.
"So tell me... How did you eat too many sweets last night?"
Ack! I tried to squirm out of her arms but it was no use. I was caught.