The Empire's biggest season party has returned. Winter Blossom Ball, a winter ball that the kingdom hosted only during the season when the red poinsettia flowers, the kingdom's symbol, bloom. The preparations for the ball had already started a week ago and about to reach the end by next week, but because of what happened to my death issue, I had to find a dress to match for this ball.
As soon as Catherine was hired as a maid, I tried to find a designer and a seamstress to sew me some dresses but none of them responded to my call.
"What kind of princess that didn't attend the party?" "What kind of person who didn't attend any party invitations ever since the death of the former Empress?" "I'm sorry but I'm busy embroidering for the 2nd Princess's dresses."
No one really had taken me seriously, even there was a new rumor. A rumor where the 1st Princess had became a crazy bitch who woke up from death that scared of all the designers and seamstresses.
I went to visit the Empress Dowager and told her everything, she looked expressionless but she called for her head butler. "You haven't prepared the dress and accessories for the 1st Princess? Call the best designers of the empire now!" Empress Dowager shouted out her order. "Princess, I know this is a bit early. But I'd like to hold another ball to announce for your health and returning to the empire as a Princess. What do you think? She looked at me with a serious face. "It's fine but the preparation is--" "Don't worry about the preparation. You just need to prepare yourself," Empress Dowager cut my words and smiled. "How about the rumor?" I asked. "People know those are just rumors. Everyone will know the truth and what kind of Princess Poinsettia in the party," she answered. "Will you fairly punish those whom treat me badly?" I asked again. "Yes and I will announce the punishment on the last day of the winter ball. Also that you are the Princess of this country," she answered.
After a few days, I didn't hear any noises around me, not even a whispering. But there were still rumor about the princess had pulled out all the designers and seamstresses tongues in order to make dresses quietly. For some reasons, it's not just a rumor since I exposed them to the Empress Dowager.
"Noah, you've returned?" I noticed his presence when he entered my room. "Yes, Her Majesty," he replied. "So, how was it?" I asked. "...They had learnt their lessons," he answered hesitantly. "Okay. I guess I don't have to hear their disgusting cry anymore," I uttered. At that time, Noah just bowed his head and was waiting for his next order and suddenly knelt in front of my foot. He was carefully wiping the dirt of my shoe. "Is there a knight who carelessly touch the Princess?" I asked as I glanced at him. "Forgive me. I couldn't stand to see a dirt on Her Majesty. I have sin to death," he replied feeling guilty. "Forget it. Get up and throw away these shoes and you're done," I said. Noah who stood up with a quick retreat while holding my shoes had a bright blushing face.
If I could be honest, Noah is a handsome manly man. Light chestnut brown hair, his straight sharp nose, the perfectly fine sculpt face line, but sad his pairs of pale pink lips trembled with tension because he was with me.
"You will attend the ball," I said. "It's natural for a knight to attend for the ball," he said. "No. I mean you come to the ball as my partner," I responded. "That is impossible. You are Her Majesty Princess and I am just a knight not a noble. I don't deserve the place so maybe Her Majesty Princess should find a partner from a noble and proper family," he replied. "Why are you so talkative today?" I asked in a sarcasm. Noah bit his lower lip before he answered me. "Well.. I wasn't trying to talking back to Her Majesty's words..." Now I could see a pair of folded fluffy ears and a fluffy tail on his bottom with a sad expression. 'Is he a dog?' I thought to myself. "Noah, I choose you because you are the only one who have sword with you. Is this your first party?" "No, it's not my first time. I attended at the coming age ceremony before," he said. "Then it's all good. You have to be my partner. Besides, nobody in the empire wants to be my partner, because there's no fine man to my eyes." Noah seemed contemplating to my order seeing how silent he turned be. "Will you help me?" I asked in a softer tone. "Yes Her Majesty," he answered with a nod. I noticed how Noah's cheeks became red again as he smiled but I brushed it off.
"Isn't your sister good in sewing?" I asked. "It is a low skill but I heard there are many people in the village are asking her to sew their dresses and clothes," he said. Noah who couldn't even went to do test for the Templars because he lost his job, couldn't found a way to earn money with swordsmanship, worked in a bar and paid some money to debt collectors alone every month, it made sense if Noah separated from his siblings for that long. In the end, Noah's 16 years old sister looked after their younger brother by sewing for a living. I didn't know whether it's a fortunate or unfortunate but it's good for an early self reliant.
"How about asking your sister to make me a dress?" I asked. "That doesn't make sense. There are excellent seamstresses everywhere and how can Her Majesty ask the hands of a no one like my younger sister?" Noah refused my offer politely, I could understand but it might be a good opportunity for their family. "I'm curious about how great the skill of the 16 years old who has been supporting the family. I have no time left so call her to come here tomorrow. She will works under Madame Isabelle who is the top designer of the Empire," I declared as my final order. "...I'll bring her tomorrow." Noah had given up for rejecting my order. "Good."
Strange, but I liked Noah's reaction today. It's cute to look at. Despite his skinny body hidden those muscular muscles that could made women scream for him to be naked, a plus point for his handsome manly face with some cute face expressions and final blow with his amazing swordsmanship skill.
"You will get quite a lot of attention at this party," I uttered that made him tilted his head confusedly. "I will master the ball dance and the imperial courtesy perfectly so I may not ashamed Her Majesty," he suddenly declared his will. I chuckled but Noah whined not to laugh at his serious decision. "Alright. Alright. But you're probably going to be the best looking man in the ball," I said while flashing a sincere smile at him. "...Thank you."
"Catherine, let Mrs. Jeanne know that I need her in the practice room." "Yes Princess." Catherine took off to call for the imperial teacher. "Noah, are you free from today's swordsmanship training?" I looked at him. "Yes?" "Good. You need to stay here from today. Learn etiquette and dance, you have to stay and eat in the Imperial Palace until the Winter Blossom ball," I said. "But I have to inform my younger sister to sew Princess' dresses," he replied slowly in smaller tone.
I glared at him but I guess it's became my favorite to see Noah's reactions. He avoided my gaze with his blushing red cheeks to his ears.