"This is it."
Leila brushed the wrinkles of her flowing dark red gown, which Sen designed according to her style, character, and modern fashion which he got from her memories.
It was an off-shoulder red rose gorgeous gown of lace, organza, tulle, applique, beading, satin, and pongee that was fashioned far exceeded her wildest expectations. He personally created something that seems to possess a majestic bearing of its own.
There were real crystals and rubies sewed on the bodice, skirt, and train. It was a sensual gown that flattered her bearing and curves, like a real Amaryllis Red Pearl flower given form.
Since Leila insisted her accessories to be simple, Sen curled her hair into a romantic, slightly messy up do and pinned on place by sparkling ruby roses.
The preparations took hours, it wasn't even an exaggeration. There were almost thirty female servants helping and fussing around Leila, Liese, and the Duchess each. And Sen, already dressed in his sparkling tux, took upon himself to lead in the coordination of the preparations.
He was so busy and focused that when Leila tried to talk to him, via telepathy, he hissed at her like grumpy cat with a bad hangover.
The whole ducal family now stood in front of the banquet massive door. It was white, carved with intricate patterns portraying elegance, and lined with solid gold to symbolize the majesty of the place.
Leila glanced at her sister who was clutching her arm with a white gloved hand. Lieselotte, the kingdom's number one beauty, looked absolutely stunning. She wore a Victorian ball gown of pink and white that reflected her aesthetic and Lolita tastes, embellished with small cut diamonds, white pearls, and pink flowers.
Her black hair was curled into an elegant half bun and pinned into place by white flowers, pearls and lace, quite similar to a bridal comb but more for a party accessory.
After seconds of basking at her angelic little sister's cuteness, Leila gasped inwardly, 'I shouldn't have let her attend this ball. Now everyone would see this angel and drool over her.'
Sen, who acted as Liese's escort for the night, rolled his eyes. 'Seriously, where's FBI when you need them.'
Leila flashed him a glare behind Liese's back, 'You shouldn't have tried your best too much! What would happen if someone asked for my kawaii kawaii sister's hand on the spot?!'
'What? You're blaming me?! Aren't you the one who told me to make Liese the most prettiest, most angelic, most cutest young lady on the universe?!'
Leila ignored the vivid memory of her saying those words and pushed the blame, 'Well, if you knew me well, then you should've known better!'
Sen gasped at her shamelessness, 'Why, you little---!'
They're silent bickering halted as one of palace butlers bowed in their presence. Leila blinked at the butler's face which looked oddly pale and terrified and glanced at her father, Duke Amaryllis, in his usual domineering and unsmiling presence, and realization dawned upon her. 'Right, the Ruthless Tyrant slash Grim Reaper of the Battlefield. I can't believe three months being buried in money made me forget this is how normies act around Father.'
The duke merely thrust his chin out slightly and the servant hurriedly murmured to a piece of topaz-colored brooch pinned on his left breasts.
They heard someone behind the closed white door cleared their throat and announced, "Presenting the Duke and Duchess Amaryllis, Lady Lieselotte Amaryllis, Lord Sen of Eve's Company..."
The large doors burst open. Maintaining her position at the very back of the Amaryllis family, Leila winked at her sister, Liese, as she took Senpai's outstretched arm and walked into the cheery banquet hall, which now hushed at their presence.
As she waited, Leila fiddled with the red crystal earring she got from the antique shop on her right earlobe with her eyes closed. Finally, it's the moment of truth, from here on out would be the start of movie-like dreams with an otome game plot that bugged her every single fucking night in her past life for as long as she remember.
Of course being in that very setting was different than what she knew, probably because the story mainly focused around Liese as she was the female heroine of the dream, the fact that there were hundreds of innocent lives would get caught up as she reached her so-called happy ending was enough to get Leila pissed.
Other than that, there was still the mystery behind the kingdom's tragic end and the death of both Liese and the Crown Prince. This was why she invested much of her time expanding her information network and influence in Candor. To avoid that terrifying end of the story, Leila needed to find the root of the problem and nip the bud before it blooms.
But first, she would have to do something her past self haven't done before. Leila needed to build her own power, not only as the esteemed duke's immortal daughter, but as Leila the mortal assassin.
Once again clearing his throat, the announcer called out, "And Lady Leila Amaryllis!"
At the chorus of gasps, murmurs, and surprised faces, Leila's eyes opened revealing an amused and predatory gaze. She took one step forward, and another, brandishing the full force of her intimidation and appeal, she whispered, to no one in particular.
"Let the games begin."
***
"Lady Leila? You mean the duke's missing daughter? That Leila?"
The whispers fell to lower voices as Leila passed by. She wore a mask of beautiful indifference while bearing the heavy gazes of every noble in the kingdom. Dress swishing at every step, she halted beside her little sister and murmured, "God, I just spent ten seconds in this damn place and I'm already exhausted."
"Meh, despite your line of work, you were never a people person." Liese nudged at her side, a small smile blooming on her face. "Wait till you hear the flowery words these people would say when they crowd us later."
"It's that bad?"
Liese shivered, "Yeah, pretty cringey and most definitely annoying. How have you been holding?"
"Ohh," Leila sucked the air between her teeth. "Still stuck in the process of trying to imagine these people with a personality. Not to mention you validating my inherent mistrust of strangers with those things you just said. Thank you for that by the way."
"Oh come on, always a pleasure to increase your already extreme paranoia." Liese winked behind a feathered fan that matched her outfit. "Looks like we'll be having a special appointment with the Devil later with all the fake laughs and lies we're about to vomit."
"Then again, sarcasm is the one service we always offer."
"Hear, hear."
Leila's eyes scanned the hall, as expected, a lot of noble staring at her also refused to meet her gaze either turning pale behind their fans or looking uncertain. A flash of silver passed by her sight, she turned and smiled at the sight of Priscilla approaching, "Hey, Lady Spiderlily. You look absolutely stunning."
She chuckled at the sight of Priscilla's face crunched up in disgust, "Please, I've had enough of that name for the night. One more and I'll be slapping bitches with a tuna."
The two shared a giggle. Priscilla gave Leila a curtsy, as etiquette to respect those of higher status. "Greetings, Lady Leila Amaryllis. I must say you look absolutely ravishing this evening." Priscilla tilted her head slightly upward to meet Leila's gaze and winked. "Forgive my late introductions; I am Priscilla, eldest daughter of Marquis Spiderlily."
"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Priscilla." Leila gave a serene smile in return to resume the act of first meeting. "Thank you for the compliment, I do feel like a walking treasure chest filled with gold. I may have to keep a look out for kidnappers and thieves, though."
The two acting noble ladies hid their laughter with silent coughs and trembling shoulders. Noticing Liese behind Leila, Priscilla turned towards her and curtsied once more. "Greetings Lady Lieselotte, you look gorgeous as usual."
"A pleasure." Liese raised an eyebrow to her sister. "I didn't know you're close with Lady Priscilla."
"Oh, we've met." Leila replied. "She was there when I first returned to the mansion. She talked to me first while I was exploring the City of Rainbows."
"Yeah, I didn't know if I would call it the best encounter or the worse." Priscilla blew a thin curl out of her face. "At first impression, Lady Leila had the charms and wits of a professional hustler. Imagine how terrified and shocked I was when I found out she's a noble, an Amaryllis, and not to mention, the heir apparent."
Seeing the pleasant atmosphere between the three noble ladies, a sweet looking female wearing a lovely gown that was quite similar to Liese's, warily approached from behind Priscilla. The female was accompanied by another noble lady in a pixie haircut, who gave off a cool, knightly presence. In contrast to the first lady who rocked her chocolate coord Lolita gown, the second one wore a stunning navy blue spandex and lace mermaid gown.
The style caught Leila's attention. The modernized look of the gown, down to illusion jewel neck bodice, gold lace embellished long sleeved, and floor length long train, was enough for Leila to know it was a product from her Eve's Fashion Boutique.
Forget formalities and pleasantries to suck up to a noble. There were only three ways you can get on Leila's good books.
First, wear as many products from her company and rock in it.
Second, if the person had good morals and loyal to the very end, even if he/she has a foul mouth or nasty behaviour. (Courtesy of Carlisle)
And lastly, if the person won't ever lay their fucking hands, or stare pervertedly, or approach her little sister with any ulterior motives like asking for her hand in marriage, sweet-talking her to eloping, or use bullshit reasons like love at first sight or any cliché otome plots, no matter what the said person's noble standing was, if he/she uphold every requirement stated, then BRAVO! You win!
The nervous, sweet-looking lady went first and curtsied slightly awkward. "Greetings Lady Priscilla, Lady Liese, and um…L-Lady Leila. My name is Celes, eldest daughter of Count Convallaria."
Leila smiled, "Hello, Lady Celes." She turned towards the other one, eyebrows slightly lifted questioningly.
Noticing the gesture, the knight-like lady gracefully curtsied like swan, "Pardon my rudeness, I am Vivian, daughter of Viscountess Aster."
"Pleasure is all mine, Lady Vivian." Leila replied with equal elegance. "I've heard plenty of the Aster family achievements and your contributions to battles. I am a fan of Vivian Swordmaster, if I say so myself."
Lady Vivian's eyes widen with surprise. She coughed slightly to cover a faint tinge of pink blooming on her cheeks. "I am honored for your praise. However, I did nothing but serve my country. It's what anyone would've done."
The corner of Leila's lips tugged upwards, "Hmm…I highly doubt that. I assume you know of what I speak."
Lady Vivian blinked. She didn't say anything but a slight bow in response. Leila smiled, 'Clever lady. She knew dropping names would only attract trouble, but she acknowledged the fact nonetheless.'
"Ah, that reminds me." She faces Lady Celes and gave her a soft smile. "I love your chocolate coord. It's pretty similar to Liese's fashion sense, but I have a feeling you're more adventurous in the line than her. Hasn't anyone tell you how delicious you look, like an eye candy nothing lewd. You're a walking chocolate delights."
"I was just about to say the same thing." Lady Priscilla said, with Liese and Lady Vivian bobbing their heads in agreement.
Lady Celes flushed beet red, "Eh? Eeh?!" Lady Vivian gave her blushing friend a pat on the back. "Celes, it was a compliment. No need to panic."
"Geez, stop teasing me."
The nobles standing by to get a feel of the atmosphere one by one crowded Leila as expected. They exchange pleasantries, keeping most of them bland as Leila already saw through their fake smiles. Apart from the three ladies who approached her first, the rest seemed like leeches trying to gain favour for power. It was a character Leila hated the most.
Seeing these nobles fighting around for lasting impression only made her remember those ugly ass motherfucking politicians who used to comfort them (victims of the experiment) with flowery words and gifts while they pull wool over their heads and used them for their benefits. Leila and her friends were nothing but useful tools that brought them consistent glory, and she was sick of it.
She lost the battle the moment she let herself be fooled by those scumbags. And because Leila allowed that to happen, Liese paid the price for her idiocy.
Only three introductions passed and she already lost interest. Leila wasn't having any of it, she excused herself from the crowd and searched for a place to clear her head.
Leila was three steps away from a curtained balcony when the doors burst open once again. She gritted her teeth as she watched the two most hateful and cruel characters of the story enter the hall.
The second queen, Roselia Sasvia Foxglove and the third prince, Nicholas Vaughn Candor.
Amidst her calm, icy rage. Senpai emerged from within her shadow without anyone noticing, "Finally, it's time. How have you been holding up, Your Wickedness?"
"I'd tell you how I really feel, but I wasn't born with enough middle fingers to express the shitty swirls of emotions and curses going on in my head."
"Look at you, all smokin' hot gorgeous and excited." Senpai grinned, "On your command."
" 'And the Red Queen of Hearts said,' " Leila narrated, her eyes glowed dangerously crimson as she settled them on her prize with a predatory gaze. "Off with their heads."