The days flew by so fast that my brother's birthday banquet is being held today. Now, all the maids are busy preparing for the event.
Sheila has also prepared me since early in the morning.
"I don't get it. I'm not even the celebrant so why am I this busy? Sheila, I want to go out." Evelyn's crying voice was heard as she complains about the early beauty routine that she needs to go through.
She was starved and only a piece of bread and a hot earl grey tea was served during breakfast.
She needs to fit in the dress that was sent by the head butler.
"Lady Evelyn, please be patient. After a while, you can eat as long as you want at the banquet."Sheila said while giggling.
"But you need to watch for yourself, as a lot of nobles with high status are there to celebrate the young master's birthday party." Sheila continued.
"And... it's also the day of your... umm." Sheila stops for a moment, scratching her face while she was struggling to put words into her mouth, but I cut her off.
"So... Sheila also thinks that I will cause trouble?" I innocently said.
Then the word "nobles" rings in my head.
'Wait...'
"Sheila? When you said nobles with high status... you mean..."
"All the aristocratic nobles will be here, as well as their children. It is once in a lifetime celebration, and Emsworth house is a well-known family... why, Lady Evelyn?" The blond hair with two balloons said seemingly proud about the household she's working for.
Thoughts of meeting the other characters in the novel slipped into my mind.
I am a fan of the novel but now that I'm here, I'm getting angry at the author who killed Evelyn just to let the heroine shine in the end.
"Lady Evelyn...? What's wrong?" Sheila asks as I was a daze for a moment.
"Oh...It's nothing. Just tired I guess?"
"Are we done now?" I inquired.
"No. we still have a few things we need to do. You're also the highlight of this event. I should make you shine." Sheila smiled widely, her pure thoughts also made me smile. And I let my beautiful busty maid do her job.
***
"Father, I heard that you would announce Evelyn and the Crown Prince engagement at my party."
"Why...?" Allan asked.
"Why? It's better to just do it and get it over with."
"But why does it need to be at my party?!" Allan asked his tone gradually rising.
"I don't want to spend a dime with that child. Especially when the Crown Prince is involved." The Duke's voice coldly spoke and he's eyes glistened in annoyance.
Allan only stared at his father and silence filled the room.
The silver-blue haired young man, who is a carbon copy of the Duke knows he's father's hatred for Evelyn. He didn't ask again.
"Then I'll excuse myself, Father." Allan bid his farewell and stride to the wooden doors of the Duke's office.
***
Carriages started to enter the Duke's mansion and soon the party has started.
Nobles started to pour down in the lobby where the party is held.
I looked at the window nervously.
I'm still hoping that someone will come and try to save me in this hell.
"I don't want to be called a stupid fiancee... This is giving me a headache."
Standing in front of the mirror, I saw myself.
The paled turquoise dress hugging my upper body and blooming in the lower part, the glitters which I assumed small bits of diamonds that were attached to give a luxurious feel -the typical princess dress of this world.
I sighed. As the pressure builds up every time the clock ticks. I looked back again.
My childish side was stripped off and the adult side was starting to replace it.
Looking at myself, I know that as the novel said, Evelyn was the prettiest in the story.
That itself I can assure as I was awe with my look tonight.
But I can't even be happy with this pretty look that I am.
'I'm still a midget! What's the point of gowns if I can't even show off my boobs!? What the hell?! How long do I have to wait to cultivate my boobs!!!!' I sigh again.
*knock *knock
The door opens and the head butler greeted me before saying what he needs to relay.
"Lady Evelyn, the Duke, and Young Master Allan are waiting for you."
I sigh.
How many times should I sigh because of stress?
When will I sigh because I was relieved? I wonder will that day come.
I walk down the hallway going through the event hall.
The Duke and Allan were standing side by side with a scrunched face.
'Won't they get tired looking like... they need help to poop? Pfft'
I laugh. And the two looked at me with scrutinized eyes.
'What? I can't help it! I've been seeing that face since I got here that I wonder if they have bowel problems.' I pushed down my laugh and heaved down my silly thought.
I brought back my senses and looked at them, indifferently.
"Let's go..." Said the Duke.
"Don't be a disgraced, Evelyn." The Duke continued before they announce our arrival.
Without looking, I answered back.
"You don't need to worry. I'm not the old Evelyn. I won't disgrace myself." I said firmly.
Then Allan who's only listening, scoff with my statement and laugh mockingly.
"I would be glad if you can at least just shut your mouth for a minute." Allan ridiculed.
I steeled myself and hold the hem of my paled turquoise dress. Trembling with anger.
-click... *iiiinggg - the sound of the big wooden door pushed back with a force. Someone yelled, stating our arrival.
"Military General, Duke Keene Emsworth, and heir to the dukedom, Young Master Allan and the young lady of the Emsworth, Lady Evelyn has arrived."
***
Different colors of jewels and dresses of the young ladies and the luxurious cravats of the eligible young man were displayed to brandish their wealth.
The great hall is decorated with lavished treats and different types of finger food.
Chandeliers were burning brightly in the center of the big hall, it shimmers and reflects the glitter in the floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
"Woah..." Surprised slips from my mouth as the novel never described the mouth-opening banquet of the distinguished nobles until the latter part of the story.
"What are you doing?" Allan asked, seeing as I was mesmerized.
"You look stupid." Allan continued.
I laughed...
"Said by someone who has a poop face..." I said and the corner of my lips lift, and I turn my head to face my brother.
"So, who has a more stupid face, brother?" Then I walk out from where we are and left him dumbfounded.
'You think I'm the same, Evelyn? pfft.'
***
After announcing the celebration of the celebrant, I walk out from them, I don't want to stay in an environment where I'm unneeded.
Besides, standing there, smiling, and shaking hands with those hypocrite nobles will just make me vomit.
I know that they hate the old Evelyn, who always bully their respective daughter and because the Duke is my father they can't complain.
'I wish this night will be over.'
But that is only my wish…
The Duke didn't grant my request, I give out all the reason I can get but alas, to no avail, I'm here stuck with this predicament.
I'm here in this grandiose hall where everyone is busy having a chit-chat, while I, who is waiting for my doom at the end of this day, are standing here doing nothing.
The more I wait for the Crown Prince to come, the more my nerve feels numb. I'm getting more anxious every second.
'Let's talk to the Crown Prince before the Duke announces our engagement, in the novel, he's a reasonable prince as long as you make a deal that has more advantage to him. Let's try that.'
I walked straight to the pastries and refreshments laid in the corner of the great hall…
'The only thing that I'm thankful here is the delicious food that I could have.'
I wanted to rest before the start of the dance so, I walked into one of the empty balconies on the second floor with my juice in one hand and the cookies in the other.
I closed it with the curtain and when I turned around, the night as bright as the moon was in full view. It calms my mind and the anxiety building up was replaced with serenity.
"Child are you okay?" the voice from the ring asked.
After that day, the voice of the young man is always talking inside my head, saying that only I can hear him.
I still asked why and how but the young man's voice wouldn't talk more, and I just named him…
"Gil…"
"I'm not fine at all." With a solemn voice, I answered.
The crowd suddenly cheered as I walked out the balcony the announcer announced a certain individual.
"The son of light, Crown Prince Edickart Adalbern Baldwin von Langton has arrived!"