Life is such a joke to me now. What do I have now? What will I do with the money and respect I have? In the end, I couldn't do anything with these to protect myself from my father's dirty tricks. I want to run away. Far away, where nobody can find me. God will be the only one whom I will worship. Angles will be my invisible partner. How long have I been dreaming of this?
My whole body was trembling like a dead leaf in winter. I was bearly holding myself together to not faint. Tears were about to fall from my eyes but couldn't. I'm adapted with these. Still, it was so hurtful.
"Keep it hold, keep it hold, Tiana. You have to adjust with them. You are similar with them. Don't cry. Don't cry..."
The hall's silence was interrupted by my walking sound. I was like a wild person. Searching for my bedroom to burst out my sadness.
Finally, I found my bedroom. Luckily, the door was opened. I pushed the door too hard and closed the door with big sound. Even if someone were disturbed by that sound, I didn't care. Why should I when my like is at stake? My anger finally decreased. But my sadness didn't fade. Why? Isn't sadness just another part of anger? Then why that?
"Oh god... What didn't I do to seek your attention? I spend my whole youth in the church's prayer, where noble ladies spend their free time by holding and attending parties, I just prayed in your house. Is this the answer that you give me for my prayer?"
Suddenly, I heard a knocking sound on my door. Quickly, I wiped out my tears and started to act as an elegant lady.
"Who?"
"It's Malenda, my lady."
"Come in."
Malenda Fresia. An exclusive maid of mine. Her father was a Baron when she was young. Through an accident, she lost her father. After her father's death, her mom went to depression and died by an unknown disease. Losing her family like that, her status fall off and she became a commoner. My father then took her as a maid of this mansion. Later, Because of my success in merchant guild, my father made her my personal maid as a gift. I kind of think lucky to get her as my maid.
"My lady, you have a few guests to attend."
"I don't remember anyone particularly."
"Lady Hemilaz, Lady Jasmine, and Lady Puniya are your guests, my lady."
Those pet dogs of Synthia are here to devour me. They work for Synthia to get her all the information in high society. It's too foolish of Synthia to send her dogs that quickly. Sure, they have come here with their own intentions.
"It's going to be fun...Malenda."
"Wish you good way, my lady."
Both me and Malenda smirked with bad thoughts in our minds. No matter how much life sucks me, I find an indescribable pleasure when I destroy a person's reputation.
"Before that, prepare a beautiful dress for me, Malenda. Also, I would like to change my hairstyle."
"Your wish is my command, my lady."
I gently brushed my long black hair backward. They came to me at the perfect time. Really, God has at least blessed me in it.
********
Muslin's threads were always stunning on me. Nobody said that to me, but I am confident. Eyes are all the same. What other people see, you also see that. So what's the difference? On top of Muslin thread, the black colour made a perfect match for my hair. Jewelry that I wore around my neck contained red gems. Resembling my eyes. Malenda really cares about my fashion. There was not a time where I didn't have the spotlight of any party, thanks to Malenda.
"Have you prepared tea and sweets for our little guests?"
"Don't mention it, my lady."
Me and Malenda step in to my residence garden. The moment Malenda opened the door, those ugly faces bloomed out in front of me. How lowly of them to sit like a queen even though I entered the garden. I'm the daughter of Marquis, and they are just some daughters of barons or counts. A deer thinks himself a king when a lion takes a little nap.
"We greet my lady with sincerity."
"I'm so happy that you all came here to spend your humble time with me."
'Noble ladies should know how to put on a face in a moment'. That's what my tutor taught me. I thought it was something not necessary; every lesson people should take seriously they learn. Like right now.
"Even though I don't remember to invite you all...still, I'm so happy to see you all."
"....."
They remain silent. Spouting nonsense doesn't work on me. They need some time to make up an excuse. But I will not let them. That's what I thought. Lady Rumi Jasmine broke my expectation on them. She was the only one who dared to break the silence. Lady Jasmine was so attentive in her class that she also put on a face of joy and offered me a chair in front of her.
"We, the daughters of lower families than you, can't even dare to waste your time by nagging you with our letters. So, we made up a time for us and calculated your free time; we suddenly showed up in your residence."
I accepted her request. Indeed, Rumi is my main target.
"Lady Jasmine really always shows her concern about me. I'm so grateful about Lady's concern."
I chuckled softly and took a light sip from my tea cup. Other ladies also started to take cookies from the cookie plate. Garden's coziness and our so-looking nice meeting could make everyone think jealous. Reality always hits differently.
"But Lady Jasmine, you know...I will feel more grateful if you tell me why you all are here."
Three of them flinched together. The way Lady Hemilaz and Lady Puniya looked at each other was indeed interesting and pleasuring. Lady Jasmine controlled herself and politely answered my question. At the end, she was waiting for that.
"My lady, I heard that you have now been chosen as the candidate to marry the emperor of Dormia."
She smirked but I flinched. I was about to take a light sip from my tea cup. So cruel. Still, I kept my smile; it was looking a bit creepy. Those humble ladies didn't notice because of my tea cup.
"It's really like a dream come true. Right, my lady?"
Words didn't come out of my mouth. This morning, it was confirmed. Within a moment, the whole society—I think the whole empire—now knows it. My smile was still visible on my face.
"My lady is so lucky that she has met her fated person. On top of that, he is the emperor of Dormia, Octavious Dormia."
Me? Lucky? Good joke. Being lucky is like catching a star just by raising the hand. There's no way I would be lucky. Getting married with the emperor will insure that I can not be a lucky person in this life. And she says that I'm lucky..
"The emperor is really a perfect match for the lady. It would have been so cruel of Marquis if he had gotten Lady Synthia to marry him."
"Lady Jasmine is right, my lady."
"I also agree with Lady Puniya, my lady."
These little three ladies teamed up together. Now, it's my time to smile. They were getting on my nerve that I wanted to peel off their skin from their beautiful bodies. I controlled myself and spoke out.
"If my ladies really think the emperor is the perfect match for me, then why don't you all agree on getting married to the emperor?"
"What? We don't understand my lady."
"Lady Jasmine, you know your father, count, has a huge amount of debt that he took from me. I lent him huge money. It's been 2 years that he has not paid that. Do you want it to be more troublesome for your daddy, my lady?"
" What's the relation of it with this conversation, my lady. It's so insulting."
"Oh my... I didn't mean to insult you, my lady. It was you who wanted to."
"What...."
Her voice got lowered. Remaining two ladies chose to stay quiet. That time, my smile was real.
"Please, my lady, don't take me as a fool. I know Lady Jasmine's intention. Synthia didn't even take a moment to spread this news. So sweet of her. But I think, Lady Jasmine is perfect for the emperor. You are quite the beauty. Also, your position will rise up. I will talk with father about it."
Why did I say that. When emperor ordered my father to gather some noble lady to send off, Lady jasmine, Synthia and 5 to 6 more ladies were also selected. Lady Jasmine was nearly about to become the candidate. So, she begged my father and her father to prevent her. In the end, father made Synthia the fiancee of the emperor.
"I-I...I..I'M SORRY MY LADY!!!"
"!!!!!!!"
"....."
She got down on her knees and begged for forgiveness. I took a enjoyable sip from my tea cup again. Now, my mood has gotten better.
"Please don't tell Marquis about it. I want to be the crown princess of this country. Everyone in Dormia will only harass me if I go there. Lady Synthia also forced me to. Please forgive me."
"I-I also beg for forgiveness my lady."
"We have committed a big sin. Please forgive us."
Yeah, I'm feeling so good that I want to dance like crazy. If only I could destroy Synthia and father like that.
"I'm tired. Please go back to your mansions, ladies. I will consider you all apologies."
I finished the tea from my tea cup and stretched my hands and stood up. After that, those three pet dogs of Synthia stood up, thanked me, and then left the garden. I started to walk to leave the garden and humming with pleasure. When I stepped out from the garden, I noticed that Malenda was waiting for me with a smile. She predicted everything from the beginning. I also smiled like her and approached her. Both of us started to walk toward my residence.
"How are you now feeling, my lady?"
"Killingly marvelous!!!"