However, the moment I was about to open my mouth to protest about why the maids had entered without a warning…
The pair of maids slowly walked closer, holding a dress
on A hanger.
"Please, wear this dress for the ball, Your Highness!"
One of the maids exclaimed with a sense of glee in her voice as the other just looked at me. Urging me to accept this gift from the Crown Prince
"This… Is it?"
"The gift Of the Crown prince!"
The other Maid exclaimed as she looked at me, as they brought it over to me.
"Nothing looks better on you today than this dress!"
I hesitated when I saw the dress they had brought me. The dark blue gown spread out to the floor, ruffles and frills that brushed against the floor in a ceramic white colour.
There was a silver powder that glistened over it.
The colour that spread out gradually met with the finely embroidered gold thread at the bottom and at the neckline of the dress.
A dress… how can a dress resemble the calm, moonlit sea at night. It was a gift from the Crown Prince. Leonardo… I'm not fond of materialistic things, but this was clearly an act from my husband.
I grimaced a bit when I saw it. It wasn't the style I was used to wearing.
"It's the one and only ceremony where you should shine more than anyone else, Crown Princess!"
"Just this once!"
"You really wouldn't want to disappoint the Crown Prince on such a joyous occasion!"
"That's right, my lady. The things you've often worn in the past are a little dark and simple for a woman of your status"
"But of course The Princess is beautiful in all types of clothes, her beauty Is unmatched as the tabloids proclaim!"
The maids were waiting with an eager expression on both of their faces, yes? They might have wanted the best for me… but it seems they didn't like my modest
look that I wore every time I went out.
'What is this?"
"Is this some sort of joke?"
"The Crown Prince? He knows if wouldn't wear something so vulgar, even if it the style of this part of the empire"
The maids trying to persuade me with all their might, looked a little sad.
"Just this once! Your Highness"
Eventually I nodded slightly as I let out a small sigh. I never thought I'd have been ordered around by the maids in the palace.
"Really? Are you serious, my lady?"
"Well, then you're going to wear accessories with the dress! I believe that the hairpin you have matches it perfectly?"
"My mother's hairpin?"
"the golden one with ornate blue flowers and gems hiding off it?"
The maid expression, slightly darkened at the mention of the former Grand Duchess of Murcadina, yes? My mother was a well-known woman wasn't she… I didn't mind talking about her, after all? I have very few memories of my time with her.
The maids were happy after I put on the dress.
Suddenly, I remembered all the times that I had encountered, The Prince's anger.
Maybe I would also be angry if someone wanted to be involved in your marriage.
It really? It left quite the bitter taste in my mouth as all I could think about was Leonardo's hatred and despisement of me.
All the dresses and accessories were ready and I slightly didn't recognise myself for a moment as I looked in the full-length mirror that was in my chambers
The maids were filled with praise and admiration again as I looked in the mirror, them both complimenting my beauty and how much prettier I looked than usual.
After they were finished, I asked the older maid, Emaline, for refreshments to take a quick rest as I felt the effects of not being able to sleep properly. Catch up to me.. After a while, Emaline brought me a fresh and clean blanket so that I could rest without ruining my dress.
I still had around 2 hours until I had to find the Crown Prince… and start greeting the guests for the ball.
I slightly glanced down at My hand, as I snuck the Amethyst bracelet that I had received from the Lord. If anyone asks about it? I'll just say it's a gift from Leonardo, no one would question it after all.. we were the perfect couple in the eyes of the neighbouring Kingdoms and the Citizens of Rodwine.
*
*
*
The guests started entering The Imperial Palace around 8pm, I mentally filed through all the arrivals as I greeted them with the same calm and collected elegance like I was taught as I stood beside The Crown Prince, My Husband.
It was difficult to pinpoint one person through the large and abundant crowd of the guests that had travelled far and wide to be able to be here and celebrate New Years.
There were various prestigious and well known guests attending, such as. The Grand Duke Howard and His wife who controlled a smaller region of the south. My father and my step-mother, Some kings and Queens from other kingdoms, The Emperor of Jinyi - a kingdom that is larger than rodwine. And various other prestigious guests.
The problem was that they did not come in twos or threes. Just from the Grand Duke and his wife, there were also the knights, the servants, and escorts, and then multiplied that number by several times to account for the other guests.
I didn't know if the letter came from a woman or man, if they were young or old, or what status they were. It was almost impossible to determine who Yeowang's owner was. Although I was just assuming they were here as they seemed like a noble by the way, they addressed themselves in the letter as 'lordship'.
I don't know who you are.
I considered the matter a little more as I scanned the ballroom For a moment, as I kept my arm entwined with The Crown Prince, My Husband… Leonardo De Von Montreal. The Future Emperor of Rodwine.
Do you know who I am?
Finally the festivities of the event had begun and everyone seemed quite happy as they danced with their partner, or convulsed in the corner of the room beside where The punch and various delicacies were offered to eat at your own will.
I was chimed in by the sound of a glass being tapped lightly, I turned around as I slightly wondered where Leonardo had gone. Weird? But I shrugged it off as quick as it came.
I didn't need anything to ruin this joyous night.
The Empress of Rodwine, tapped Her glass as she exclaimed in a quite joyful manner as she motioned for me to stand Beside her.
"My Guests!"
"Thank you for attending this Ball! We all hope the new year will be good to everyone!"
"May you be blessed and gifted of the highest presence that the Gods wish to bestow"
Cheers ran out across the room, as people thanked the Middle-aged Empress for her Words of wisdom and how she had always Wished the best in everyone, a kind smile that Was genuine across her face.
Slightly, The Empress glanced over to me as she whispered in my ear.
"Ellie? Do you wish to say anything"
"I'm sure they Would all love to hear of what the Crown Princess thinks"
"Ah - Your majesty"
"I really don't Know what to say, I've never done one of these toasts before"
I whispered back as I looked at her, a nervous expression on my face as I slightly clenched my hands on my dress.
"I think it would be best if I go and find my husband, Your majesty"
"Ah, very well then dear"
"I'm sure i'll see you The place, I have faith and trust that you will be a great Empress for this empire"
"Thank you, Your Majesty"
I said quietly as if looked at her before I then quickly walked away from her, I glanced around the room searching for Leonardo.. not seeing a trace of him at all… he couldn't have abandoned me to surely be with his concubine, we agreed on at We would act like a perfect couple in the public eye.
I then slightly caught the eye of my father as I heard him talking with some other nobles, as he exclaimed quite happily. Sounding proud of me.
"Ah yes!"
"My daughter! Elisabeth"
"She is the Crown Princess after all! I'm very proud at all that she has helped this great Empire do"
"The Crown Princess? You mean to tell me that the woman who bears no resemblance to you is her?"
"Yes!"
"She has the former Duchesses face, for a second.. I really thought i was looking at a ghost"
I kept searching the room for Leonardo as I saw no sign of him and his concubine, even though it was already getting quite close to the main event of the fireworks.
I let out a sigh, as I slightly rested in the corner of the room for a moment, sitting on one of the orante red plush chairs that had golden emblems on them.
"History would be made tonight"
"It's always is on such a gleeful occasion that would make any child's heart skip a beat"
I muttered under my breath as I scanned the room for a moment.
"Like a fairytale i suppose -"
I said as I let out a small sigh as I kept scanning the room. My heart grew more Anxious and concerned as I contemplated all the possibilities of where Leonardo had gone and where he would reappear next.
After sitting down for around 2 hours, The Emperor and Empress announced that the main event of the fireworks would be starting.
I quickly got up as I made my way to the balcony, pushing past the nobles as I heard the loud crackle Of fireworks as they illuminated the sky in various patterns. The whispers of other nobles fading into the background.
As I stood there, admiring something so beautiful.. something I'd never thought I'd see in each Life I had been reincarnated into, from the same moment as the wedding ceremony.
"It's beautiful is it not"
Leonardo said, as he slightly placed his hand on his shoulder… Gentle?
"Yes, it is quite beautiful… Leo"
"I thought you would like it"
"I see that you're wearing the dress I sent? It exaggerates your beauty even more"
"Ellie,"
He said as he leaned in closer to me, his Voice dropped to a whisper despite The loud crackle of the fireworks.
"Duchess? Your really the most perfect wife, I could have asked the heavens for"
"We may quarrel in private? But with the happy and joyous expression on your face?"
"I don't want to argue with you for a moment"
I slightly glanced Up at him, my voice the same whisper as his as I said, sceptical of why he was acting so unusually nice and kind to me. It was weird.
"Leo… why are you being like this?"
"Oh? There is no reason Elisabeth"
"Do you not appreciate this Act of kindness"
"It - It isn't that Your Highness"
I said calmly as I kept looking at the fireworks, admiring their beauty as myself and Leonardo acted like the perfect and ideal couple in front of the large crowd of people. Yet only the staff and The Emperor and Empress knew how much we disliked each other.
*
*
*
"!"
That's when I heard it, a loud explosion from far away as the screams and loud cries echoed in my ears.
I then felt myself get knocked out by the same comforting dark void that I was used to experiencing, I thought this was the end… really I did, I was scared, anxious..
In the background, I heard the loud screams and cries of people as I heard more explosions go off.
I tightly gripped onto my mothers hairpin that was in my hand, scared to lose it… don't let me die please, God.
"..."