Chapter 31: Premonition of the Ball of Tragedy
I haven’t seen Julian-sama’s face for two years. He went to a neighboring country with his uncle, who is also a younger brother of the king, for social studies under the guise of friendship between the two countries. I’m sure Julian-sama didn’t study abroad before. I don’t understand why the world has changed like this.
After Lili disappeared, I became a spoiled Duke’s daughter Aliseteen. But at night, I regretted my actions and cried while trembling with fear of the future that would come someday.
My mental state right now is really messed up.
“Aliseteen, you know tonight is a very important day, right?”
“Um…What was it about again?”
“Well, what are you saying! Tonight is the ball celebrating Julian-dono’s return!”
Come to think of it, that’s right. It was my first official ball as Julian-sama’s fiancée. Okaa-sama had been having dozens of dresses made for a while now. If you add mine and Okaa-sama’s, it was quite a number.
“Now, let’s polish your bodies until they’re shiny. Let’s tie your hair neatly, put on makeup, and wear perfume.”
“… Do I have to go today?”
Okaa-sama didn’t miss my murmured words and opened her already large eyes even wider.
“What’s wrong, Aliseteen! Did something unpleasant happen earlier? Do we need to fire that maid?”
“N-No, that’s not it, Okaa-sama! I’m just nervous because I finally get to meet Julian-sama.”
I hastily wave my hands in front of my chest. I hope I can apologize properly to that maid while I’m still being a good girl. But it’s probably impossible.
Okaa-sama seems to understand my feeble excuse and tickles my cheek with her supple fingers.
“My adorable Aliseteen. I’m sure His Highness Julian is surely looking forward to meeting you. After all, His Highness has been sending letters so frequently.”
“…I see.”
I was too preoccupied with myself to even think about the ball. Even though I had just fired a maid for my bad temper since morning, to be honest, I was only feeling depressed about the ball.
I managed to play it off in the letters, but it wouldn’t be easy to do so in person. Julian-sama seemed to have taken a liking to the current Aliseteen, but that was when Lili was still here.
“Nina, I entrust the preparation of Aliseteen to you. Please make sure everything is perfect.”
“Understood.”
The one who lifted her apron dress and replied obediently was my maid, Nina, who had come to replace Lili. She was very compliant and would follow my orders no matter what, unlike Lili.
Although she was very different from Lili, she was a convenient maid for my selfish self.
“Ojo-sama, please come to your room.”
“Alright, I understand. But don’t come right away. I want to be alone for a little while.”
“Understood.”
Nina answered with an expressionless face and quickly followed behind me.
With a deep sigh, I slowly climbed the stairs to my room.
Although a ball would normally be a thrilling event, it feels like the first stage of condemnation to me now.
The moment I thought that, I remembered the chilly sensation of the prison’s cold floor, and shuddered involuntarily.
No, I must not let that happen. You have to be careful, Aliseteen.
I repeated these words to myself over and over again, stepping on the soft carpet.
However, a few hours later, I found myself yelling and nitpicking over dozens of dresses, unable to make up my mind.
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