A/N:
Hi my loyal ones! Sorry for the long wait for the update, just got busy because of schoolwork. Anyways, here's the update, hope you guys enjoy! Please vote and follow me! Love you all!
I'm now enjoying my afternoon tea inside my massive library full of different books ranging from social studies, politics, medicine, psychology, geography and etc.; there's also books about fiction, myths and tales. But my hands found themselves picking a book with navy blue cover and an old English text title. When I opened it, I was surprised at the context inside— it's all about dresses. From the very first dress made to the most popular designs. Even the latest trends are in here. I was intrigued by all that's inside since I will be buying a new dress for the hunting event. All of a sudden, a hurried knock came from the library doors and before I could respond, the doors flung open accompanied with hurried steps.
Drew was walking towards me with a dress that looked so foreign with its tribal- like design, a pair of black flats and a white cloak lined with gold. I gave him a quizzical look as to why he has those in hand when he threw them to me and said, "Get dressed, the carriage will be ready soon." And left as sudden as he appeared while I sat there, confused with the clothes in hand.
"Do we really have to do this? You know I can just order clothes through their catalogs... not to mention I'm targeted by the REBELS?!" I shouted at him as I tried my best to conceal myself behind the cloak. The rattle of the carriage along the road makes us jump a little, making my cloak slip from my shoulders. Meanwhile, as I was fuming with anger, Drew was just sitting opposite to me; his eyes out on the road watching the beautiful afternoon as ladies with their lords walk by. "Are you going to ignore me and not explain?" I asked him again, this time, he turned his eyes towards me and then his head. His eyes show a glint of a menacing shine, as if he's planning something that I won't really like. He then smiled from ear to ear and answered, "Well, the hunting event is nearing, shouldn't you get a new dress to show?"
"I can just look at the catalogs remember? No need to go out and be wary of dangers following me." I retorted sarcastically as I gripped my cloak tighter when the carriage hit a bump. Instead of saying anything back, he just giggled and looked out in the window again; while I was left there, grabbing my cloak closer to hide my face as my ears fume with smokes of anger.
After some time, we arrived at one of the famous dress shops at the kingdom capital. Many ladies are going in and out of the boutique holding either a catalogue or a boxes of dresses. I was composing myself: straightening my posture, practicing my smile and polite manner when Drew stopped me. "No need to do that, you're not going there as a duchess, besides, we used a nameless carriage to go here. So no need to act royally this time." Then smiled at me so sweetly, my anger merely melted away. Instead of rebutting, I just heaved a sigh and slowly got out of the carriage with his help.
Truthfully, the passer by and customers didn't look at me as someone of high status, but a stranger with a strange hair and a cloak with the company of the Duchess Fortess' cousin. Then, their mouths moved with a hint of hissings and quiet talks. Covered with a hand, they whispered to\ each other, throwing sideway malicious glances at me and whenever I look at them, they will look away but still continuing to talk. Only did the whispers and murmurs stop when we entered a room for those who have high status in society.
And surprisingly, for some reason, maybe life wanted this to happen but; suddenly, my heart beat faster than normal, I can feel my cheeks be tainted with pink and my hands tremble a little as I clutched my cloak to conceal my face and hopefully my presence too. At first, I thought it was that delightful feeling of being in love, but it was the complete opposite. Because the one I saw wasn't my soul mate, but some special snowflake who sat in one of the chairs, giggling her heart out. From our distance, I can hear her conversations with the other customers. She's mainly spouting bad things about me.
"Did you hear? One of my maids said that Duchess Fortess has become a witch." Lady Silvia said to her circle. She's making it louder for everyone to hear, obvious that she wants to spread bad things about me.
"Really? How come?" One questioned Lady Silvia. She's like the most rational one in Silvia's circle, kudos to her. But the rational one earned a scowl from Silvia, her eyes with a glint of hate, making the rational girl cower in fear.
"Yes, one of my maids said that the Duchess has been making candles. Isn't it a sign that she's becoming a witch?" Silvia said. Her voice rising an octave as she covered her mouth from the side. She's really trying to persuade her audience with her gossips with her actions. From the rise of her voice, side cover of the mouth, wide eyes and retreating manner. If ever that Silvia auditions for acting, she's a sure win.
All of the girls in her circle started to gossip on their own. Convinced that I, the Duchess, has become a witch. All the girls turning from side to side, side covering their mouths as their exchange murmurs and whispers. Their talks sounding like a hiss of a snake with each turn of their heads, all the while, the leader— the snake queen— was smiling like a villain who have succeeded with her plan. I was about to storm into her and scold her for spreading fake news when I felt Drew tug on my arm.
"Right now, you're some stranger, not the duchess. Let it be, time will come for you to make her taste her own medicine." He calmly said and let go of my arm. He walked to one of the tailors of the shop to talk about their new dresses while I want to utilize this opportunity. To utilize my disguise. 'Sorry dear cousin. But I've had enough of this spoiled brat.'
I walked in their circle and sat with them, taking the untouched tea cup and drank the tea. Everyone was startled with my appearance and mumbled with each other as how dare I enter their circle when Lady Silvia interrupted them and seemed to be wanting to go to my good side as a stranger. "Shush it ladies. Don't be like that to a stranger, we're not some disrespectful women aren't we?" 'The only disrespectful one here is you Lady Silvia.'
She turned to me and bowed her head a little, apologizing for the others have done. To respond not as a duchess but some stranger, I slightly changed my voice before saying, "It's... okay. It's common for people to whisper about strangers and I should be the one saying sorry as I suddenly intrude in you afternoon tea and chats. How dare me, a stranger do that." I also bowed my head so she won't see my face. To lighten the damp mood, I decided to bring up the hunting event.
Not only is the hunting event for the people (nobles) of the Sagareste Kingdom, but people from other nations can visit the country and also participate on the event, so me, bringing the topic up won't be suspicious.
"Oh my, the hunting event. I heard that the prince will participate this year."
"Yeah. Also, have you heard about Mr. Zoldago?"
"That billionaire businessman?"
"Yes, I heard he'll also be at the event. I heard someone said that he'll be discussing business with someone there."
Their talks go on and on until I brought up another topic. Usually, men would be in the forest— hunting; so all the women would need to be in a circle so they won't be left out. "So, have anyone of you chosen a circle to be in?" I said in my most innocent voice. They all looked at me with happiness in their faces. Then they began talking about the circles they belong to: mostly those who are friends and related together, however, Lady Silvia wore a sour expression in her face. One of the ladies noticed it and asked her why.
"Ugh, well ladies, you know my father. Money, power and all that and he told me to be in the circle of Duchess Fortess. To be in the circle of that *whispers* witch." Her statement made a vein pop in my head but I remained cool. She then continued her story. "Father, knowing the circumstances of Duchess Fortess, knew that the woman is gradually rising again and could be a threat to him. So, basically, he would like me to spy on that duchess even though we all know that she can't do anything now. Not when her life is danger."
She then continued to spat insult about me and I listened there peacefully while sipping some tea. She was berating me on how weak I am and how ugly I would look. All of a sudden, Drew came up to me. Lady Silvia, having a crush on him, thought that he was going to say hi to her when he bowed his head to me and said, "You grace, I have finished the task you assigned to me. A room is now ready to talk to the shop's designer. Please follow me and I'll guide you."
At that moment, Lady Silvia knew, she fucked up. I saw how all the blood her face got drained and heard how her tea cup shatter on the floor. Even the ladies are wide eyed in surprise.
'Looks like many letters will come to the manor from tomorrow and onwards.' I thought to myself. And to even intensify everything, I removed my cloak together with my wig to reveal my platinum blonde hair and my violet eyes, staring intently at Lady Silvia who was shivering with fear. I was enjoying the scene but I know I have to end it, so I ended it with a grand blow.
"Lady Silvia—" she flinched at the mention of her name, "— you can forget your father's request of 'getting in my circle' as I will not let someone so disrespectful like you in. also, tell your beloved father that I will not be a threat to him—" I leaned into her ear and whispered, "—but the royal family might."
My last statement made her flinch big time and a lonesome tear escaped her eye. Satisfied with how things turned out, I bid them farewell and followed Drew to the room. Once we entered the room, we can't help but laugh our hearts out. 'Time for that special snowflake to have a taste of her own bad medicine.'
It took as a while to stop and meet the shop's designer.
"Ah, Good to see you Duchess Fortess." The shop's designer said and did a bow. Without any further ado, I stated my intent.
"I would like you to make me a dress, using my designs." I then handed her the parchments and she looked at it wide eye. "They seem to be..."
"Out of this world? I know. And I also hope that you're the right one for the task." I said with authority. The shop's designer them looked at me and beamed a wide smile.
With that, my outfit is settled for the hunting event. Now, I need to prepare for the flood of letters tomorrow.