The month, following her antics with Spot, passed quickly for Anne. She'd decided to take up swordfighting classes to improve her stamina and muscle strength. Her father had insisted on helping her learn so, despite his demanding schedule, Duke Nachtnebel would spend two hours in the early morning, teaching his daughter the way of the blade. Anne fell into a familiar routine. It was similar to her previous one as a police officer, exercising and sparring in the early morning while studying or working (and in this case, improving her sword skills and her magic) through the rest of the day.
It was peaceful. No forced interactions, no social gymnastics. To the aristocratic world, the daughter of Duke Nachtnebel, had seemingly disappeared from the social space. It did cause a few rumours, some wondering if she'd hidden in shame at her fiance ignoring her. Or, if she'd been sent away by her father to a correctional institute, to fix her cruel behaviour. When the Duke or the Ducchess were asked about the situation, they would grimly reply, "She's ill." But, not once did any of her 'friends' or even her dear fiance, would visit her to see what was truly happening.
Then, at the end of the month, a letter would be sent to Lady Annette, inviting her to the Marquis' celebration party. It was meant to be a big ordeal. The Marquis, Marius Feltworth, had recently discovered an entire vein of diamond ores near the border of his territory and in mining the same, had exponentially improved the kingdom's trade economy.
Anne, upon receiving the letter, accepted the invitation, while making it known that she had healed from her 'illness'. The events are unfolding as it did in the novel. Anne thought as she stared at herself in the mirror. Mary was brushing her hair, humming sweetly. Anne could only smile.
There was no Annette to bully the heroine, Penelope, and the novel's plot was moving forward by itself. This, was a good thing. Being able to meet the Marquis today meant that Anne would be able to talk to him about the ores he'd recently discovered. While Anne did not care about the vein as such, what concerned her was what would happen after the discovery.
Wasps. The size of horses.
In the original novel, the celebration party had been rudely interrupted by a group of demonic wasps that had nestled themselves deep in the vein, and upon being uncovered, had flown out to attack people. The party, that was being held in a mansion near the vein, thereby descended into chaos. It wasn't an unusual situation, newly discovered mines and ruins sometimes harboured demonic entities as these areas also acted as untapped sources of mana. Despite a similar incident happening at a different mine, the Marquis had been assured that the ones he'd discovered were safe.
When the attack ensued, the original Annette had tried to sabotage Penelope by throwing her at the wasps. Penelope, in her fear and determination to help others, had awakened her ability to dispel demonic presence. Then, Emal and Marius, with Penelope's help had been able to deal with the army of wasps. Annette, for her part, had been punished by Emal for putting Penelope in harm's way.
Anne cringed, remembering the original concept. She sighed. She'd tried to help the Marquis, of course, in the month she'd kept to herself. She'd sent him two anonymous letters, warning him of potential dangers of being near a completely unknown ore vein. Since her own handwriting was different from the original Annette, she wasn't too worried about being discovered. However, the venue had never changed and Anne hadnt been able to devise a feasible excuse to keep them away, so she'd assumed that her warning had been ignored as a prank.
"Miss, you look lovely!" Mary quipped, having finished doing Anne's makeup.
"Thank you for helping, Mary." Anne smiled at her before she began to stand and grabbed her purse. "Let's get going, then."
Her purse blinked at her. "You look lovely, Host."
Anne smiled. "Thank you, Lily. "
"Remember what we've practised, Host!" Azzy cawed, perched upon Anne's head, shaped like a small hat. "And dont try to be a hero, okay? With the current power you have, you'll be turned into chopped liver."
"I know. I know." Anne grumbled. "I'll be careful."
Azzy had, a week prior, done a tour of the vein and had confirmed that Anne's hunch (that she totally didn't have because she technically knew the future) was right. There was something demonic in the mines. Though, at Azzy's current level, he wouldn't be able to deal with them by himself. So, scanning and assessing the situation was the only option viable.
Anne closed her eyes as she took a seat in her carriage. She could already imagine the stares and the whispers she'd have to deal with, the moment she reached the Marquis' mansion. They'd talk about her month-long disappearance and the fact that in the time she'd been 'sick', her fiance had never visited her.
-+-
"Good evening Lady Annette." The Marquis welcomed her with a smile. He gently took her gloved hand and kissed the back of it with a bow. "I'm glad to see that you were able to join us today."
Anne smiled. Despite being a male lead, Maurius had been polite to Annette no matter the situation. It made him the most bearable of the lot. "Thank you inviting me." She said.
"The dance has started. Will you be able to participate?" Marius said, peering at her with eyebrows upturned.
"Of course." Anne laughed. To think the Marquis cared more for her health than her fiance did. "Though, I might have to wait a bit. I do not have a dance partner as of yet."
Marius' smile widened . "Oh? Is that so? Then, would you mind giving me your first dance?"
Anne blinked. "You wish to dance with me?"
Marius chuckled, his smile softening. "If you'll allow me, then yes."
"... Sure?" Anne stretched out her hand for him to take. Well, he was probably offering out of politeness. There'd be no point in thinking about it too much.
Marius guided her into the dance floor, his steps slow and methodic as he moved with the music. His hold on Anne's waist was gentle and he looked at her with warmth. "How is your health, Lady Annette?"
Anne swayed alongside him to the music, their bodies twirling together. "I'm doing better, thank you. " She smiled. "And, congratulations on your discovery. I assume that you've already inspected the work there?"
Maurius shook his head slightly. "I've been terribly busy, unfortunately. But I'd love to visit the area and check up on the work. Though, since I'll be living here for a while now, I might be able to visit it. "
Anne flinched at his words. "Ah... I see." She twirled at his instruction and then drew closer to him. "Have you been told of anything odd happening there?"
Maurius frowns. "Odd? Whatever do you mean by that, Lady Annette?"
"I-I mean-" Anne quickly looked away, her smile twitching. "You know, it's an unexplored territory. There's always the possibility of something unwanted residing in there. ...Remember what had happened at the Seram mines?"
The young Marquis nodded grimly. "Of course, there's always the possibility of a similar accident recurring." His smile returned. "But please rest assured, my Lady. My men have thoroughly searched the depths of the vein. There's nothing to be worried about."
That's what's been said in the novel as well. Anne tried to hide the wince that had formed upon her smile. "I-I see... "
Marius chuckled. "You seem rather worried for my sake, Lady Annette. If it would soothe your mind, would you like to accompany me to the mines and take a check?"
Anne's eyes widened. "Right now?"
Marius laughed, his voice soothing in an odd way. "Of course! I've been made to host this party at the wishes of my father. But I must say, talking a walk across the property with you would be far more interesting than being stuck here with the rest."
Anne could feel a light warmth spread across her cheeks. Her eyes darted in all directions but towards him as she nodded shyly. "W-Well... That would be appreciated." Is he flirting with me or am I overthinking this?
As the music ended, Maurius would guide Anne out of the dance floor. He took her hand and guided her out the ballroom. Anne couldn't help but feel light-headed.