"Do you like it?"
I looked at the invitation in my hand and then at Princess Arabella with such a skeptical expression on my face. While I am confused about what was going on, she even looked so happy about it.
We're currently inside my room to catch up with each other. She said that it's been a week since she last visited me and she wanted to know about my condition that's why she visited me, thanks to her husband, Prince Lucien, and my husband, Prince Elijah.
So far so good for me. I am fully healed, even my forehead is fully healed. I am not really bothered if I got a scar on it but it's not really nice to leave such a nasty scar on Princess Ariah's face so I was a bit relieved that it wasn't the case. I am really thankful for the servants since they didn't really fail to take good care of me and even though I really don't know what's going on in his mind at this moment, it's actually a 'bit' nice of Prince Elijah to think about my well-being as well.
Well duh, as he should. If I am really going to die, I will really leave hints pointing him as the main suspect. So he must be really careful. Hahaha!
Aye, I sounded really evil at that moment but I really do have to be prepared, you know? Who knows what he is really up to now that his 'wife' is still alive from that deadly accident that she got caught up in?
Speaking of that accident, as much as I should definitely shut up about it since I am still alive and kicking here, I really want to investigate it. I still have this gut feeling that even though it was an accident in the middle of a storm, I still have this feeling that it was a foul play.
Could it be Prince Elijah's doing? Who knows?
"Your Royal Highness, isn't it a bit extravagant to conduct a party just because I recovered? I mean, yes, we should be thankful that I did recover and my health came back like that but… do we really have to? Can we just have it like an intimate dinner night? Just me and you… your husband, my husband, the four of us?"
"I wanted to celebrate your recovery with the whole nation, my dear sister. Everyone was worried sick that you got caught up in such an awful accident, which includes me, your sister. That's why I really, really wanted to celebrate and thank the heavens that you finally recovered and you're here with us," Princess Arabella said.
I slightly looked away and fell into a total silence after she said those words to me. It took me a moment or two to finally speak up. "I don't know anyone…"
She stared at me.
"I… I don't know anyone there. I don't know their names and I don't even remember their faces. I don't know how to talk to them or approach them. I…" I took a deep breath and continued. "I may be the princess you're all talking about but I… I just don't remember anything. It's so frustrating and I felt like I couldn't do anything right anymore because I don't remember anything."
It's bad for me to lie like this and make this 'amnesia' as my excuse but as much as possible, I really want to try my best not to make that party possible for me. The thought of what those people think about Princess Ariah made me anxious to the core. She had the reputation of being ruthless, rude, cruel, a bully, and not even empathic to everyone. So, even though it's not me who did all of it, since I am already living as Ariah and I basically got reincarnated as her, I just couldn't help but feel anxious about what people will definitely think about me.
"That's why I am here," I heard Princess Arabella say as she held my hand. "You may not remember anyone and anything right now but that doesn't mean I let you go off by yourself like that. I know this is a bit scary for you because you don't remember anything but I am here, dear sister. I will always be here for you. I will never, ever leave your side."
"You'll get frustrated because I don't remember anything…" I muttered.
She shook her head and smiled at me. "I won't and I will never feel such a thing when it comes to my sister."
I looked at her. Hearing her voice and how happy she was with her sister's recovery made me think that she didn't deserve any awful things Princess Ariah did to her in the novel. Princess Ariah didn't deserve such a loving sister like Princess Arabella that amidst the fact that she was really awful towards the latter, this princess never failed to show how much she loves and cherishes her sister who basically did nothing but badmouth her, torment her, and much worst, even hurt her in the novel.
I wanted to cry. Princess Arabella is my favorite character in the novel that's why I thought that everything bad that happened to her in the novel which caused by Prince Elijah and Princess Ariah, she didn't deserve any of it.
She deserves all the love and happiness in this world.
Out of impulse, I suddenly hugged her. I could feel that she got tensed up over what I did and of course, I felt so embarrassed over the fact that I suddenly hugged her to which Princess Ariah will never, ever do such a thing towards her.
Gosh, why did I hug her? I might get busted if I continue this! I have to let go!
But before I could even manage to do so, I felt Arabella's arms around me, hugging me at the same frequency as I did.
There were no words exchanged between the two of us but at that moment, I could tell that she was happy. She's happy that Princess Ariah, her beloved sister, is back in her arms like this.
"You looked so beautiful, Your Highness."
I looked at my reflection in the mirror and I could see myself getting groomed so beautifully for the party. Unfortunately, even though I told Princess Arabella that I am 'not yet prepared' for the party, she insisted that everything was going to be alright and here I am, in front of the mirror getting dressed so beautifully that I could tell that I could win in the Miss Universe for such gorgeous evening gown.
Along with my long hair being fixed with braids and a loose tie on my hair and placed to the side, the silver tiara full of pearls and diamonds was placed beautifully on my head. I am wearing pieces of jewelry and a huge and elegant necklace around my neck that I could tell that it'll cost around millions of pesos if I am going to sell it in an auction. I am also wearing a royal blue-colored off-shoulder gown that really suited Princess Ariah—my porcelain fair skin.
Looking at myself in the mirror, I looked so beautiful.
"You looked so beautiful, Your Highness!" a servant just standing on my left side couldn't help but squeal in silence. Even though she was trying to hide it, I could still hear her.
"Now, you're ready, Your Highness," one of the servants said after putting some finishing touches on my makeup.
I know how to do my makeup but I am just scared to touch Princess Ariah's precious face, you know?
"His Highness is now waiting for you downstairs, Your Highness," another servant said as she looked at me with such endearing eyes.
They assisted me to get up and as I finally faced them, I smiled. "Thank you so much for helping me like this. I appreciate it."
They looked so surprised and confused about what I said that they even looked at each other. But even so, they managed to smile at me and responded. "You're always welcome, Your Highness. We're always here to help and serve you."
I nodded and smiled. "Thank you, I really appreciate it."
"Oh. The princess."
I could see how Prince Elijah slightly frowned the moment he saw his royal guards looking up on the second floor of the palace the moment I came out of the room and as he turned his head, I immediately met his gaze the moment I slowly walked down the staircase
My gaze was on him as I walked down the stairs while the three servants who were with me were assisting me as they held the skirt so I wouldn't step on it. I was wearing a royal blue-colored off-the-shoulder ballgown with ruffled tiered rose flower skirt and train which Princess Arabella handpicked for me—as what the servants told me. The servants did a final touch-up on my hair they fixed it with a loop of braids on my head like a crown with some diamond and pearl hairclips just beside it to complete its look as well as the tiara full of pearls and diamonds placed neatly on my head. As I walked down, I couldn't help but feel a bit conscious when I noticed how Prince Elijah's gaze was deep as he looked at me, as he scanned me at that moment.
As much as I don't vibe this guy, I just couldn't help but wonder what he is thinking about me at that moment that he just kept on staring at me.
I don't care what he really thought of me, though. But I wonder if I look presentable for those people and for Princess Arabella to see later.
When I finally managed to come down and face Prince Elijah, his eyes were still on me. I could feel it even though I wasn't really looking at him.
"You looked so lovely, Your Highness," one of the royal guards commented and I immediately saw how one of them elbowed his side that he immediately stood up straight and bowed his head. "I apologized for being rude, Your Highness!"
I immediately waved my hand and spoke. "Oh, no, no, it's okay. You don't have to worry that much. I appreciate the compliment. Thank you so much."
Just like the servants earlier, I could definitely see how the royal guards looked so surprised at what I've said—basically me thanking them in general.
I couldn't help but wonder how much Princess Ariah had been so cruel to these people to the point that they were so scared to speak to her and get so surprised that right now, I am thanking them over little things like this.
The thought of it made me sad, actually.
I could see how Prince Elijah glared at the royal guard who complimented me that I subconsciously held his arm. As soon as he looked at me, I immediately removed my hand.
"Hmm. As expected, it suits you," he said as his eyes settled on me once again. Just like the moment I saw him, he was wearing his royal clothing that suited a prince. I could still see the rich embellishments and decorations used in the clothing of a prince reflected this elevated status. He was wearing trousers, leggings, cloaks, and tunic. The tunic, being the outermost garment, was decorated with embroidery, gold lacing, and other elements. It was colored black paired with a cloak around his shoulder down to his back.
I am not going to lie, he looked so handsome on that.
"Oh, uh, thank you..." I muttered as I looked at my gown once again before I managed to meet his gaze. "Her Royal Highness picked this for me but I was a bit worried that it might not suit me..."
"Don't worry. You always look good no matter what you wear."
"Eh?" That caught me off guard. I didn't expect him to compliment me like that.
But even so, I was told that Princess Arabella usually wears clothes like this so I was expecting that he saw me as Princess Arabella at this moment.
Don't get swooned by his words. I told myself.
I took a deep breath in secret but it wasn't secret at all as I saw Prince Elijah looking at me again. "Are you nervous?"
"I…" I swallowed before I responded. "I was… I was a bit worried because I really don't know anyone else there. I am afraid that I might mess things up."
"I am here," I was surprised to hear those words from him that I immediately look at him. He turned his head to me, meeting my eyes. "I will not be going to leave your side, my love."
Don't get swooned by his words. Remember that this man is going to kill you a few months from now. Don't let your guard down. Don't trust him either.
"Let's go," he said, offering his arm for me to hold. I looked at him again and nodded as I slowly held his arm and we proceeded to walk out of the palace.
You need to survive and not let this villainous husband of yours kill you.