"-Flaudette-"
3 years later
"Come in" Father responded after hearing a knock on his door, informed the knock was from his most gorgeous daughter, me of course, who else? I sat down the moment I entered the office room.
"You will make your appearance to the public tonight, my lovely daughter" As expected, this day would come. The day where my happy days will end as soon I was recognized by the aristocracy. I was 8, it was the start of my misery as my image will be stamped by the duchess. I was ready now, years has passed and I was fully prepared to step on the battlefield.
"Tonight, daddy?"
"Yes my lovely daughter, you will be coming with us to attend the second son's banquet of Aphellon ducal family tonight" Exactly, events are not going awry from its destiny.
"Is it alright for me to go? Why did you decide to reveal my existence now?" This is the question I always long for an answer. Isn't revealing an illegitimate child can tarnish the family's name?
"How can I hide my beautiful and genius daughter? It's time for you to be let others know and fancy your beauty, my love" So the whole decision was to attract nobles by my face! In nobility, marriage was a way to strengthen power and connection between families. My father revealed me because it was a way to benefit our family. If nobles from ducal and royal families got their eye on me, our family will have tons of funds and be feared in aristocracy. I was just a bait after all, for big catches and that was exactly what happened to me. Because of that, I married Zachael as his damn concubine!!!
After our talk, Alodia was on fire knowing I was going to a banquet. She searched for the most elegant dress and matching with accessories, and of course, I rejected all of her overreacting ideas. I chose a simple dress not to stand out too much, I hate being the center of attention.
Come to think of it, Aphellon has their genius second son born this year. His name is Xamuel as I remember, that kid was smart and he is the genius that only appears once in centuries. He was popular in my past life because of his brain, he might have been the one that succeeded the throne. Zachael has his favors on him, it appears if that dirtbag Zachael doesn't have a child, Xamuel will be his successor though I'm not sure since I died early.
Well, things are flowing the way it was. The only thing that changed is I wasn't insulted and I have one person on my side, Nicholai. He's already 10, two years older than me and he sticks to my side surprisingly all these years passed.
It was dark and the blissful night has come, my family was on the carriage as my stepsisters wore the best dress that don't suit them. Accessories are everywhere as if everyone will get confused about who is the main character in the banquet as their unpleasant looks are getting too much attention. The duchess is also the same, it gave me the worst times being trapped with them in the same carriage.
At the banquet, music filled the room as everyone greets each other, the ducal families attended including Thaddeus and Aldeburne. I purposely blend myself into the crowd to avoid my father's 'introduce yourself project', I quietly ran and slipped outside the main hall. I stood at a large door in front of me and I opened it only to see a girl around the age of 10. She turned her head and stared at me, looking at her made my heartfelt the most pain.
It was Genieve.
She seems surprised to see me as if observing where family I belong in. Then she smiled at me and took a step towards me, she was now in front of me as she had a better view of my face, her eyes suddenly filled with concern.
"Your face is pale, are you alright?" Her soft voice reminded me of all times she had that look on me, she was worried if I was bullied again in my past life. This is Genieve, my best friend and my only family.
I was stunned when I felt her touch on my forehead. Remembering all the times we spent together, my tears streamed down my cheeks thinking how I didn't even think about awful Genieve's fate, all I did for the past years was to anticipate my own survival and at the worst part, I forgot about Genieve's death. I never checked on her and acted like Genieve wasn't at my side when she has always been. I felt guilty for being so selfish. I sobbed and cried in front of her as she anxiously comforted me.
"Um...lady please don't cry.."
"Am sawrry...am to sawrry!! I wat to helfish! I neper think bout you! Sawrry! Geniepe! UWAAAA!!"(I'm sorry...I'm so sorry!! I was so selfish! I never think about you! Sorry! Genieve! UWAAAA!!)
She panicked as I screamed, I was so guilty and can't help to feel bad. She hugged me to comfort me as she wait for me to calm down. It was quite long for me to calm down, I wiped my tears and look her with apologetic eyes. I felt so bad.
"It's alright, just cry it all out.." Her soothing voice only made me more guilty and bad, she even handed me a handkerchief, which I gratefully accepted to wipe my runny nose. She hugged me once more and tighter.
"I- I promise, I will be more thoughtful now...I will save you and protect you...I promised" She seemed confused about what I'm saying. It was actually weird to cry to her like that but it was the slightest of my worry. I don't mind if she thinks that way, I just need to let out all my bad emotions.
"It's okay, it's okay" She patted my back and I finally calm down.
"I'm sorry...to suddenly cried like that"
"It's alright, I'm Genieve by the way, I'm the daughter of Aldeburne" She reached my hand for a handshake and I gratefully took it. "So you are?"
"I'm Flaudette, from Lawvern family..."
"You are from Lawverns! Forgive my lack of knowledge" She quickly curtsied and showed respect.
"It's alright, we are both ladies from ducal families" I curtsied as well.
"A blonde hair? I believe Lawverns has Chesnut hair color?" She stared at my hair with her twinkling blue-colored eyes. She then covered her mouth looking suddenly apologetic. "I apologized did my question offend you..?"
"No, not at all. I got my blonde hair from my mother, I was an illegitimate child of my father, the Duke" The tone of my voice never showed a hint of sadness.
"Um... Can I touch your hair?" She asked.
"Of course! You can touch it whenever you like" I showed her my thumps up and her eyes brighten. She caressed my hair. I never pay attention to my looks but I can say that I was quite a beauty. Having purple bright eyes and long curly blonde hair can capture a heart with one glance if I tried to but my looks are ruined with my sharp tongue, I don't usually swear but I defend myself using my sarcastic attitude, and one thing that ruins my looks are being a bookworm and my lame tastes.
"You're so pretty!"
"Not as pretty as you~" Compared to Genieve, I was nothing. Her long Cantaloupe hair falls straight down her shoulders and her blue eyes will completely make anyone dream about her in their sleep. She is kind and brave too, a perfect lady in etiquette, beauty, and attitude. A lady that is perfect for the role of empress. "Um...I know all the word I have said just now doesn't make sense, you don't know me and I started to say weird things, I'm sorry...I might be asking too much...can we be friends?" I held her hands together. That's right...that's exactly what Genieve asked me in my past life. Her eyes lustered after seeing me reading a romance novel series, she approached me and said she finally found her fellow romance book reader then asked to become friends. We talk, we laugh, and become closer to each other.
"Yes! Please be my friend, I'll invite you for tea!" We spent the whole night talking about our hobbies and things to know each other, it was funny how she reacts when I know everything about her likes and favorites, well, having my memories in my past life is my advantage. We decided to come back to the party before our family assumes we are missing and be worried. At the time, I said goodbye as I search for my family. Father was looking for me too then we get back to the carriage and rest back home.