"Mary, there's no need to tell dad about something so unsubstantial!" Anne wrangled herself out of the maid's grasp. "I-I'm preparing a surprise okay?!"
Mary stopped. "A surprise?"
Anne demurely covered one cheek with one palm and looked away from her. Her eyelids fluttered slowly as she held herself in a pose that screamed, 'pitiable. ' "W-Well... You know how Emal keeps comparing me to Penelope because she's the Saintess and I'm just a nobody?"
Mary grew livid at the statement. "He compares you to her? You're the Lady of the Nachtnebel duchy! You're leagues ahead of her!"
"But... Only in name." Anne dropped her eyelids, looking morose. "To the rest of the world, I'm a failure of a daughter who can't even use magic. I'm rude, I'm short-tempered and completely irredeemable. Even when I try to get along with others, I'm shunned."
Mary frowned, holding Anne by her shoulded, gently. "Oh, Miss. Please don't say that. You shouldn't undermine yourself or let others do that to you."
Anne wiped away a stray tear. "I know, I know. That's why I've been trying to change."
Mary looked sceptical. "... You have?"
"Yes! That's why I'm working so hard to improve my magic! I want to show others that I'm not some good-for-nothing spoilt brat!"
You sort of are, Miss. Mary thought but did not say it.
"I even apologised to Penelope, " Anne added.
Mary paused. "You did?"
Anne nodded. "That's why I went to the Royal Palace in the first place. Penelope spends so much time with Princess Emily at the gardens!" She shook her quavering head and wiped another stray tear. "But neither her nor Emal, who was passing by, seemed to believe me!"
Mary frowned. Prince Emal? Isn't Prince Emal supposed to be training in the morning? Why was he near the gardens? It did not help that the training grounds and the gardens were at the opposite ends of the palace.
"They even shooed me away!" Anne sniffed (Author's note: This was a lie).
Mary bristled the more she heard about the mistreatment Anne had gone through. "But what does that have to do with-"
"That's why I'm working hard on my magic!" Anne dramatically cut her off, her eyes watering . "I want to show him that I'm really serious about changing! I don't want to force him to be with me anymore. I just... I just want him to be happy! And if that means keeping away from him, I will! I'll fix my broken heart by myself."
"Miss... You're really trying this hard?" Mary, moved by the depth of Anne's 'true' emotions, shed a few tears for her sake.
"That's why... I need to work discreetly!" Anne said. "So I can focus on myself and not be bogged down by others!"
"That's a bullshit excuse." Azzy pointed out.
"Oh Miss, you're so selfless!" Mary practically hugged Anne, sniffling. "You don't want to depend on others so you can show them how capable you are by yourself!"
"Never mind, she bought it." Azzy said.
"Humans are such easy creatures." Lily added, her tongue slithering in and out of her maw.
"So... Will you help me?" Anne asked Mary with a gentle smile, though her eyebrow twitched a little at her familiars' comments.
"Of course!" Mary said with reverence, clasping the blonde's hands in her own. "I'll make sure the Crown Prince regrets ever ignoring you! As is, you're way prettier than Penelope! And smarter! And kinder! And- Uh... Maybe not the last part or... Any of the others, but you still have amazing qualities!"
"T-thank you, Mary." Anne spoke through gritted teeth and a dazzling smile. Her eyebrow twitched again. If there was a hell where the original Annette was burning in, she would definitely visit her and beat her up for the horrible reputation that had been left for the current Anne to fix.
"We must start with getting you fresh clothes! You must look your best while you exact your revenge!" Mary began to drag Anne yet again, though this time, towards the carriages.
"But it isn't a revenge!" Anne protested as she was being ragdolled away by her maid. "And I told you we'd be going tomorrow-"
"NO." Mary practically shouted and Anne cringed at her voice as well as the flames that were burning in the eyes of the younger woman. "We must get you the perfect revenge dress! You'll be the most wanted lady at the Marquis' party!"
"But that goes against the very concept of being discreet! I-I want to practice magic! Not dress up and talk with nobles! " Anne felt a sharper yank as Mary only sped up in return. "Mary! Mary! Stop-!"
An hour later, Anne was struggling to maintain her optimistic facade as her feet stung from standing with her heels on and her body was exhausted from trying out a relentless selection of dresses.
"This is too bland. That one is too gaudy. The frill here is a bit dirty. This is- wait, why is the cuff fuschia?!" Mary was busy rejecting gowns while shoving decent ones towards Anne to try out.
"Mary... Mary! Are we done yet?" Anne was losing her patience.
"This one." Lily flew down near Mary's ankle and flicked out her tail, causing Mary to trip. Engrossed in her work, the poor brunette had no time to balance herself as she landed face first with all the gowns she was carrying.
"Lily!" Anne ran up to the pair, as fast as she could though the heels almost made her sprain her ankle. Azzy helped her as support just in time to avoid so. She turned to scold her familiar while watching Mary with worry, only for Mary to suddenly look up in excitement.
"This one!" Mary squealed in joy as she sat up in her mess, rubbing her scraped chin, and stared at the grown right before her. She stood up and quickly took the gown off its stand.
"Miss, try this one out!" Mary proudly held out the dress to Anne as Lily, having succeeded in her goal, flipped in the air and wrapped herself around Anne's shoulder.
The gown that had been chosen was simple but elegant. There were no fancy frills or lace. It was an iridescent black dress with long, navy, floral mesh sleeves and accents of blue at the base of the dress and at the high collar.
"Fine, but this is the last one." Anne said.
"Alright!" Mary beamed.
Mary watched as Anne entered the trial room, being helped by few of the staff at the boutique. As she waited, happily humming to herself, she heard a familiar voice from behind her.
"... I see Lady Annette has followed me here as well. She has not changed one bit."
Mary whipped her head to face the Crown Prince Emal, who had recognised Mary to be Annette's personal maid. Azzy and Lily, sensing his presence, immediately hid behind the brunette.
Mary bristled at the Crown Prince's tone and his sudden appearance. Even so, she curtsied at him with utmost respect. The sight of Princess Emily and Lady Penelope behind him added to her inner annoyance.
"This humble servant greets the Sun of the Empire." Mary said, her expression switching to one of professionalism.
Prince Emal dismissively waved off her greeting. "Where's my fiance? If she's trying to harass me or Penelope again-"
"Mary, what do you think?" Anne's voice cut him off and as Emal turned to face her, he froze in place.
Has she... always been this beautiful? Emal thought to himself, stunned by how perfectly the dress complimented Annette's figure. It was rare to see Annette in such simple clothing. Most of the times, she was decked in expensive jewellery and gaudy, frilly gowns in an attempt to mimick Penelope's beauty though it made her look like some ugly peacock.
But right now, it was different. She looked so charming in that dress, so innocent...
Emal was pulled out of his trance when Penelope called for him.
"Prince Emal, what do you think?" She was standing there, having changed into a floral gown with delicate lace and was nervously awaiting his approval.
Emily stood at the side, arms folded and nodding, very proud of what Penelope's choice.
"Uh... Yes, very good. Where is-" It was only when he turned back to look for Annette that he realised that she was already leaving with Mary, having purchased her gown. She had not said a word to him at all! Emal, was too stunned and distracted to register anything that Penelope or his sister were saying. "Wait, uh, give me a minute. " And he quickly made his way towards the retreating figure of his fiance.
"Prince Emal! Wait!" But Penelope's request was swallowed up by the merry bustle of the boutique as the prince's figure quickly disappeared outside.
"Annette!" Emal called out to her, just as she was about to enter her carriage.
Anne looked back, a little confused. What was it, this time? Had she breathed too near his presence?
"Prince Emal." Anne turned to him. "Is there anything you need?"
"Ahem!" Emal tried to mask his embarrassment with a dignified cough. "L-Lady Annette, you told me in the morning that you would no longer bother me or Penelope. How come you're here, yet again?" He shyed away from looking at her. For some reason, since the morning, he'd been unable to meet her eyes. But, it seemed that she was still chasing after him!
"I believe you're mistaken, Prince." Anne said. "It was a mere coincidence. The boutique is quite popular amongst the aristocracy and I wanted to wear something new for the Marquis' party."
"Don't you think your coincidences are too frequent? Conveniently going to Emily's favourite boutique as if waiting for a glimpse of me by my sister's side. " Emal countered. "Wherever I am, you always seem to be there. How many times have I told you to not cling to me like this? It's extremely discomforting and-"
"Alright. I'll switch to another boutique."
"See? This is what annoys me about you- wait what?" Emal stared at Anne with googly eyes.
"I wasn't aware that this boutique was Princess Emily's favourite, since we're not close, " Anne said, her voice showcasing no emotion. She bowed to him, curtseying. "I apologise for invading your privacy yet again. I didn't mean to. However, I promise to take extra steps to stay away, so as to ensure your comfort from now on."
"Wait. That's not-"
"Mary, let's go." Anne entered the carriage without letting Emal finish his piece.
Emal stuck his foot into the carriage and looked up at Anne. His expression was desperate but also angry. "Lady Annette! Do you really think I'll give you more attention if you play hard-to-get?!"
"..." There was a pause as Anne grit her teeth, his words stinging. "I'm sorry you think so lowly of me." She said slowly. She was running out of patience and it was only because he was a prince that she hadn't yet yelled at him. "I know I've behaved abysmally in the past. And now, I see that I've been so desperate that my methods have been extreme enough to scar you."
"What in the world are you-"
"I promise you, Crown Prince Emal Badeaux." Anne looked down at with him with a soft, gentle smile. Her smile held neither malice nor expectation. It was detached, almost indifferent. "Starting today, our interactions exist merely as business partners, as our engagement was originally meant to ensure. Rest assured, I will neither expect nor need your affection anymore. I finally understand where I belong in your heart. Thereby, I do not wish to chase you or bother your time spent with others. " She steadied herself and looked away. "Sir Penn, let's go. " She told the carriage chaffeur.
Emal stood there dumbfounded. Anne's words were hard to digest. He was lost, staring at Anne in disbelief. In fact, he was so distracted, that he did not notice the stink eye Mary gave him before she entered the carriage.
The carriage left, leaving Emal in inner turmoil. His brain couldn't process what had just happened. Even if it was true that he did not like her, why did she say that she had stopped caring about him? Was it because he'd scolded her for bullying Penelope at his birthday ball? No, Annette wasn't the type of woman who could live without him. She was obsessed with him, she loved him. She would eventually return to him once she realised how much she missed him.
Yes, Emal knew that Annette would return to him. And when she did, he would make her regret for humiliating him like she did today. After all, there was no way, that she could've fallen out of love. Right?
-+-
Miles away, Anne was looking out the window, her expression sour. Even though she wasn't the original Annette, she'd found Emal's words to be crude and mean-spirited. What was his problem? She was trying her best to leave him alone! Even then, he found a way to insult her.
Mary noticed the expression on Anne's face and couldn't help but feel sad for her. Despite her very best, Prince Emal was still treating her poorly.
"Miss, would you like to visit the cafe you like to frequent?" Mary hoped a fruit tart and iced tea would help lift the blonde's spirits.
"No." Anne politely declined, still gazing out the window. "Let's go back to the duchy. I want to practice my magic. It's high time I start." She closed her eyes. "It seems I'll have to make sure people see that I've changed."
No. I'll make sure that Emal sees that I am not the Annette that used to fawn over him. This novel's plot is getting annoying.