Chapter VI - Sneak-off Buddy

  The next afternoon was a literal battleground. My room looked like a silk and lace factory had exploded.

  "Nyx, please, I can’t feel my ribs," I gasped as she gave the corset strings one final, merciless tug.

  "Beauty is pain, My Lady. And tonight, you must be the most beautiful 'pain' in the room," Rana replied with a terrifyingly professional smile while fixing my hair. Nyx stepped back to admire her handiwork.

  By the time Rana was finished with my hair, I looked less like a girl and more like a porcelain doll designed for a high-end horror movie.

  I looked in the mirror. Lady Celeste looked stunning—ethereal, sharp, and expensive. But inside? Inside, I was just Cindy, wondering if I could hide a sandwich in these voluminous skirts.

  Knock. Knock.

  "My Lady, Lord Kaede is here"

  I haven't even opened my mouth to answer when the door swung open. Kaede. He didn't wait for an invitation. He stood there, dressed in the dark, sharp military formal wear of the Vespera Duchy, looking like a younger, perhaps even more dangerous version of our father.

  He didn't smile. He didn't even step fully into the room. His eyes—cold and analytical—swept over me with the kind of scrutiny a general gives a map before a massacre.

  "You look... acceptable," he said. 'Wow, he sounded so genuine that I almost believed him'

  His voice was a flat, low monotone that sent a shiver through the room. Even Rana and the other servant bowed lower than usual.

  "High praise coming from you," I replied, trying to keep my voice from wavering. He's probably thinking how I'm talking back at him. Well, Celeste's kind, yes, but I'm Cindy and I definitely talk back.

  Kaede walked toward the vanity, his black boots clicking sharply on the marble. He stopped just inches away, towering over me. He didn't look at my face; he looked at my reflection in the mirror.

  "The Emperor has confirmed his attendance tonight," Kaede stated, his eyes narrowing. "Which means the Crown Prince will be there as well."

  I felt a cold knot tie itself in my stomach. The Crown Prince. Celeste’s fiancé.

  "The Imperial family is not as forgiving as the Temple staff, sister," Kaede added, his voice a low warning. "One slip of the tongue, one 'inelegant' gesture, and you won't just be embarrassing Father. You'll be handing our enemies the rope to hang us with. Do not speak unless the Prince addresses you first."

  "I'm aware of my 'duties', Kaede," I said stiffly.

  "See that you are." He leaned down, his voice dropping to a whisper near my ear, cold enough to frost my skin. "Stay close to the western pillars of the ballroom. The eastern side is full of the Queen's spies. If you embarrass the name Vespera, I will personally ensure you are escorted home before the first dance."

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  He straightened up, his face an unreadable mask of ice. He didn't wait for a reply. He turned on his heel and marched out, the cape of his uniform snapping behind him.

  "What a jerk" I whispered, though I looked at the mirror.

  'Western pillars. Stay away from spies. Got it.'

  ★

  The carriage ride to the palace was suffocating. The Grand Duke sat on one side, a statue of pure authority. Kaede sat next to him, a statue of looming judgment. I sat across from them, feeling like a prisoner being transported to a very fancy execution.

  Finally, the Duke spoke. He didn't turn his head.

  "The Imperial family will be attending this ball," he said, his voice cutting through the silence like a guillotine. "Be sure to entertain your fiancé well."

  "Your behavior thus far has been... unpredictable, Celeste," the Duke continued, his eyes finally shifting to mine. They were devoid of any fatherly warmth. "You will greet your fiancé with the grace expected of a future Empress. Do not let your recent 'eccentricities' at the temple cloud your judgment."

  "I understand, Father," I replied, my voice sounding smaller than I wanted it to.

  Kaede finally turned his head. He didn't offer a comforting look. Instead, his eyes narrowed, sharp and accusatory.

  The Grand Duke’s eyebrow twitched—the only sign of his irritation. "See that you are. You must secure Vespera's ties with the Imperial family. Ensure the Prince remains satisfied."

  I looked at my hands, hidden under my silk gloves. The Crown Prince is going to be there. My 'husband-to-be' who probably thinks I'm a puppet.

  Suddenly, the thought of Kier crossed my mind. I wonder what he'll think once he found out that I am "Empress-to-be"? Will he stay away from me?

  I lowkey wanna see him. But with the Duke’s eyes on me and Kaede watching my every move, how the hell was I supposed to sneak away?

  No one spoke after that. The only sound was the carriage wheels and the occasional clink of Kaede’s medals. Every time I looked up, Kaede was staring at me with those piercing eyes, as if daring me to breathe incorrectly.

  Gosh, this family needs a hug and a therapy session, I thought, clutching my fan.

  As the palace gates came into view, glowing with a thousand magical lamps, I felt my heart do a nervous little tap-dance.

  Keep your head up, Cindy. We're surviving this, we'll free Celeste from these strings. We'll go back to Earth.

  But as we stepped out onto the red carpet, all I could think about was a quiet garden and a guy who didn't even care no matter how many times I've shown inelegance.

  "We are here" Kaede announced.

  The door opened, and the roar of the palace crowd flooded in. Kaede stepped out first, offering a hand to me.

  "Smile, Celeste," Kaede whispered, his face a mask of terrifying perfection. "The vultures are watching."

  ★

  The ballroom was loud enough to trigger a migraine. Music, nobles, fake laughter—it was a festival of plastic. Plus, this corset was clearly designed by someone who hated the concept of breathing.

  I took a sip of champagne. Puta, gross. This tastes like spoiled apple juice pretending to be expensive.

  Rana whispered behind me, "My Lady, please do not leave the hall without proper notice—"

  "Of course," I said. Then I immediately left. Hehe.

  I slipped through the crowd, acting like a suspicious raccoon escaping a trash bin. I spotted a side door leading to the veranda. Target locked.

  But as I was about to close the door behind me, a familiar voice drifted through the dark.

  "Running away again?"

  I nearly swallowed my tongue. I looked to my side and saw him. Even in the shadows, I knew it was Kier. It was like the universe was saying, "Here, have a temptat—I mean, a challenge."

  He was leaning against the wall, looking way too attractive for someone who just witnessed my failed stealth mission.

  "I'm not running," I said firmly. "I'm... checking the structural integrity of the door."

  "The door?" he repeated, smiling. Illegal. Totally illegal.

  "Yes. Safety first, you know."

  He stood up straight and stepped closer. "In that case, allow me to accompany My Lady... for safety."

  My brain is screaming NO, CINDY. YOU’RE ON A MISSION. HE’S A DISTRACTION.

  My mouth: "Sure."

  Mouth, you traitor!

  We stepped out onto the quiet veranda. Fresh air, moonlight, zero fake nobles. Paradise.

  "So," he said, leaning on the railing, "what is Lady Cindy actually doing?"

  "Huh?" Keep playing dumb, Cindy.

  "I doubt you leave events just to inspect doors."

  "I don't like crowds." True.

  He didn't answer, so I kept going. "I get bored easily." Also true.

  He just stared at me, amused.

  "I... want to stretch my legs?" Barely true. "And I’m very allergic to nobles." The truest of them all.

  He chuckled—a low, soft sound that made my knees vibrate. "I see. Then consider me your designated companion for future escapes."

  I blinked. "Ha??"

  "Well," he said, tilting his head, "someone has to make sure you don't wander into restricted places again."

  I coughed aggressively. "That only happened twice."

  "And once today."

  "But—but the hallway looked friendly!"

  He smirked again. "Then let us wander together."

  'Say no'

  "O-okay." What?!

  Kier offered his arm, formal yet playful. "Shall we?"

  I placed my hand on his arm before my dignity could stop me. And just like that—totally by accident, totally unplanned—I got myself a sneak-off partner.

  ? ? ?