The extraordinary feeling that Mariette had felt was imprinted on her mind. How far had he hurt himself and Sir Elroy?
"How do you feel now, My Lady?" asked Linda worriedly. "Are there any complaints?"
"No," answered Mariette. "My heart is not beating at all. So I should be fine."
"But you did cry like that. Are you sure nothing happened?"
"That happened two days ago and you're still worried about it," sighed Mariette. She was trying to hide the fact that Elroy was the cause of her tears. "Now is no time for that, Linda. It's a big day. You better help me get ready."
"All right, My Lady. I will draw a bath for you."
Mariette let out a long breath after Linda came out of her room. She wanted her cries to be known only to a few people. If many people know, it can definitely cause excitement and confusion in itself. So far, she had confirmed that only Elroy and Linda knew.
For Mariette, at this point, she had heard enough about her closeness to Anatole out there. Well, he wished Elroy had heard by now.
"Actually, to what extent would I hurt his feelings?" muttered Mariette as she stared out her window.
Today the sky looks clear. A great sign for Louisa's debutante banquet.
The first thing Mariette checked was Louisa herself. The young lady was still half asleep while being bathed. Louisa didn't seem to care about the commotion of the maids around her.
"It's not my wedding day. I don't have to be that perfect." That was Louisa's comment when the head maid rebuked her harshly.
After confirming that Louisa was adequately cared for, Mariette turned to the ballroom. Tables and chairs have been set. Flowers have been installed in the right corners. Chandeliers and other displays were shiny and the carpets lay clean and soft. The hall is ready to be occupied, likewise with the drawing room prepared for a place to rest.
The kitchen is currently the busiest place in the Palace. There is plenty of food and drink being prepared. Mariette didn't dare linger there as everyone shouted angrily at one another.
"For security reasons, everything is in place, Viscountess Tierney. Nothing found so far," reported the Palace knight. "It is just…"
"What is it?"
The Imperial Knight looked doubtful. "Forgive me for being presumptuous. But I have heard that a lady would want to hurt you if she saw you dancing with Sir Valent."
Mariette raised her eyebrows. "Does that threat sound serious?"
"Well, that sounds like a lot of piss."
"Then please increase security for Princess Louisa, Sir. I don't want anything to happen to her."
"Then what about yourself?"
"What you guys have to protect are the Royal family members, Sir. You don't need to worry about me."
"Very well, My Lady. I will let you or Sir Valent know if we find anything."
"Thank you for your cooperation."
How ridiculous, Mariette thought as she walked away. How could it be a woman willing to do stupid things for someone she has never even met in person.
Well, it's not like Mariette doesn't understand that women out there are crazy about Anatole's good looks…
The corner of Mariette's eye caught sight of Elroy. They stared at each other for a split second, but Elroy quickly turned and left.
Mariette froze in place. Her hand rose in the air, about to intercept Elroy. Then she failed.
What is she doing? Mariette was the first to decide to avoid Elroy. So while the man was avoiding her too, Mariette had no right to chase after him anymore.
But I never thought I'd be hurt like this, thought Mariette.
"Is my job going to be okay after this, huh?" muttered Mariette.
***
In the corner of the Prince's Palace, Elroy was silent while leaning on one of the pillars. He stared at the garden, then sat down on the floor.
"It turns out… difficult," he muttered with watery eyes.
He can't do this! It turned out that avoiding Mariette first hurt his own heart too much! Elroy wasn't sure he could keep doing such evil things to the woman he loved.
"Oh, Sir Elroy! You are here! Don't sit on the floor like that, you'll get dirty." A maid approached him. "Come on, Sir. You should be prepared too now."
"Huh?" Elroy allowed himself to be dragged along by the maid. "It's still noon."
"It's already noon. I can't let the person accompanying Her Highness look like this."
"I'm a little offended to hear that."
This wasn't the first time Elroy had been served only for showering and changing clothes. Elroy had experienced it several times when his family's estate had held a big banquet. Fresh, scented water for bathing, neat clothes and ready to be put on, quick body treatments to make him look fresh, and so on.
And while Elroy was enjoying all these luxuries, Mariette was busy pacing the Palace.
No, no. Don't think about her anymore, Elroy. She's the one who asked you to forget him, Elroy thought.
"Sir Elroy, please don't shake your head like that," said the maid who was helping him dress.
"Ah, sorry…"
The maid smiled. "Is there anything you are worried about? Don't worry, considering that you come from a big aristocratic family, you will definitely be able to dance well later," he said.
"I'm pretty confident in my abilities," Elroy joked. "Well… it's just…"
"Oh, you were worried about something else then?"
Elroy fell silent. His mind wandered to Mariette. How busy she will be now, how she will look, how she will dance...
Great woman. Strong woman. The woman he loves. The woman who asked him to forget her.
"Well, it's done. Try to stand up and move a bit, Sir Elroy. Please tell me if there is any uncomfortable part."
Elroy snapped out of his reverie and obeyed. He watched himself for a moment in the mirror.
"I must admit that Lady Gauthier has a fine taste in men's fashion," the maid praised.
"Wow, my mother would love to hear that compliment," said Elroy.
The maid smiled. "I don't know what you're worried about. But smile and cheer up, Sir Elroy. Tonight you look very handsome and dashing. Be proud of yourself."
Elroy couldn't help but laugh at that. "Thank you for the compliment."
"Then let's go this way. I will escort you to where Princess Louisa is now."