Chapter 4 - A New Potential Ally?

  ?

  FOR THE PAST month, I've been attending so many tea parties, social gatherings, and balls that I feel like my face is about to crack from plastering on a fake smile for too long.

  Is this what Celeste has been doing her whole life? It’s exhausting!

  I'm currently sitting on the balcony. One of the things I love most in Teves is the air. It's so fresh compared to Earth’s. Back on Earth, it felt like you were breathing 30% air and 70% pollution.

  "Rana," I called, and she immediately stepped closer. "Where's the Grand Duke?"

  "He is in his study, my lady."

  "Hm."

  "Whatever you are thinking, My Lady, you should probably give it up. You will just end up getting punished if you do something against His Grace's wishes."

  "Tsk. I know that, I just want to know where he is, okay? You’re being so extra," I explained. Of course, I was lying. I just hoped that monster would leave again so I could sneak out.

  I couldn't exactly escape anyway, since Rana and Nyx never left my side.

  Rana, I could handle, but Nyx? She’s the problem. She might snitch on me again.

  Sigh. I slumped down in my seat. My room is the only place where I can move freely. The moment I step outside, I have to be "perfect." It’s like even a single stray strand of hair is a crime.

  Is this really normal, or am I just overreacting?

  Hais, being a noble lady is so hard. Just give me back my life as an invisible person.

  My sweet, beloved peace was shattered by a knock on the door. Don't fucking tell me that's another order to attend some hellish gathering.

  Give me a break already!

  "I will answer the door, My Lady," Rana said.

  She spoke to the visitor and returned minutes later with excruciating news.

  "My Lady, you have an appointment with Lady Scheur, the owner of Scheur Boutique."

  I gave her a confused look.

  "They will be making your dress for your coming-of-age ceremony," she continued.

  Oh, right. Celeste is turning twenty soon.

  "But my birthday is still months away?"

  She looked puzzled. "It is better to prepare early, My Lady. The dress will take a long time to craft; it must be perfect, just like you."

  Perfect. Yeah, right.

  "Ight," I gave up.

  "Wait," I realized something, my eyes glistening. This was my chance to go outside. "When are we going to the boutique?"

  "Lady Scheur will come here, My Lady."

  My shoulders slumped instantly. Are you kidding me? Son of a...

  "Uh, is it possible for me to go to her boutique myself?" I asked with puppy eyes.

  "I do not know if that is possible, My Lady."

  "Just tell Father that I want to go to the shop so I can see the dresses personally. I mean, what if their work isn't to my liking and I end up looking like shit at my own birthday party?" I explained. Mwehehe.

  "I will relay that to His Grace, My Lady," she said.

  Rana stepped out to deliver the message and returned shortly with a small smile.

  "My Lady, the Grand Duke has granted permission for your personal visit to the Scheur Boutique."

  I almost jumped for joy. I knew it. That monster can't say no when it comes to Celeste's public image.

  I smirked. I’m a genius.

  "Ready my bath and my dress," I said happily.

  ★

  The appointment with Ms. Scheur was a whirlwind. She was so energetic that she drained my "elegance battery" dry.

  "My lady, please stay still! If the measurements are off by even a millimeter, the dressmaker will have my head!" Rana pleaded, pulling a measuring tape so tight around my waist I thought I’d be sliced in half.

  "Rana, I can’t breathe. Is the goal for me to look pretty or to undergo basic military torture?" I wheezed.

  "Beauty is pain, my lady," she chirped.

  Classic line. Even in another world, people still believe that lie. Apparently, the "Coming-of-Age" ceremony wasn’t just a birthday party—it was a debut. A "here I am, please marry me" bazaar for the elite. And I was the main attraction.

  "So, about this... engagement," I said, trying to sound casual while a seamstress pinned a hem near my foot. "Who exactly is the lucky guy again? My memory is still a bit glitchy."

  The room went dead silent. The seamstress froze. Rana looked at me with wide.

  "My lady... you truly don't remember?" Rana whispered. "It is the Crown Prince of Elandris. His Imperial Highness, Prince Dastan."

  My heart did a somersault, and not the good kind. The Crown Prince? Of course. Because being the daughter of a Grand Duke wasn't enough drama—I had to be tied to the future Emperor.

  "Is he... nice?" I asked.

  Rana’s silence was the loudest thing I’d ever heard. She quickly turned her attention to a pile of lace. "He is... very powerful, my lady. And very handsome."

  Cindy's Translation: He’s a red flag. A giant, handsome, powerful red flag.

  I sighed, looking at my reflection again. The long brown hair, the perfect skin—this body was built for a fairytale, but my soul was still Cindy from Earth, the girl who wore oversized hoodies and cried over K-drama and anime.

  I looked down at the glowing symbols on my wrist. They were still there, faintly pulsing. If I was going to survive the Capital, the Prince, and this "engagement," I needed to figure out what these letters meant.

  ★

  "Shall we go straight home, My Lady?" Rana asked once the appointment ended.

  Of course not! I didn't endure hours of dress-up just to go back into the cage. No way!

  "Ah, I'm famished! I want to eat something," I said, clutching my stomach. "Do you know a good restaurant here, Rana?"

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  She hesitated; Rana is from the North, so she doesn't know the Capital well.

  "Nyx?" I turned to my human-robot servant.

  "Yes, My Lady."

  "Alright! Let's go there," I said cheerfully, as if I hadn't been half-dead an hour ago.

  We arrived at the restaurant Nyx recommended, and wow... it was so fancy. Crystal chandeliers, white tablecloths, plates that looked like they cost more than my entire life on Earth. The girl has taste. High-end.

  But it didn't matter. I wasn't here to eat anyway. Mwehehe.

  I scanned the room. One entrance, diners everywhere, a corridor to the kitchens. Kitchens always have backdoors.

  "Rana," I said casually, "remember that delicious-looking cheesecake from that bakery three blocks back? Can you and Nyx buy it for me? Please? I've been craving it."

  Rana hesitated. "My Lady, we should not leave you alone—"

  "But I really want that cheesecake," I said, clutching my stomach dramatically. "Come on. The guards are just outside. Go, go, go," I shooed them away.

  I saw a long line at the bakery earlier—perfect. That would buy me plenty of time. As soon as they stepped out, I exhaled like a criminal who had successfully bribed a guard.

  Thank God I brought a shawl. I covered my face to stay incognito, slipped through the kitchen corridor, and out the backdoor. No one noticed.

  Freedom!

  I wandered the streets of the Capital, but even with the shawl, my fancy dress was drawing eyes. Should I buy a disguise? No, no time.

  I walked until my feet screamed. I found a quiet bench and slumped down like a stressed Tita resting after shopping in Divisoria. Fuck elegance. No one is looking.

  I closed my eyes for a second.

  "That is not really lady-like, My Lady."

  I nearly jumped out of my skin. I felt like my soul was about to leave my body. I looked up. God? An angel? A handsome Grim Reaper?

  Standing there was a man who looked like he stepped out of a masterpiece painting. And he was smirking at me—the girl sitting like a disgruntled frog.

  "Am I too handsome, My Lady?"

  I snapped out of it. Did I just gawk at him? Damn it, Cindy. He's going to think I'm thirsting over him—which, okay, fair. Whatevs.

  "You've got a lot of nerve, mister," I snapped. He blinked, clearly not expecting a noble lady to sass him like a jeepney conductor who shortchanged her.

  He chuckled. Is it normal for a laugh to be that hot?

  "Do you not recognize me?" He noticed my confusion.

  Then, realization hit me like a slap. How could I forget that face? Ivory hair, deep green eyes, and pink, luscious lips. Damn. A total snack.

  "I will send a portrait of myself to your estate if you want," he teased, "so that you can stare at my face for as long as you wish."

  Great. I look like a creep in front of this arrogant hottie. Nice job, Cindy.

  I rolled my eyes and looked away. Act a fool. Act a fool.

  "Whatever! What would I do with your portrait?! Hmph!"

  Smooth, Cindy. Oscar-worthy.

  "What's wrong with how I was sitting?" I diverted the topic. "I was comfortable since no one was looking."

  "I did not say it was wrong, My Lady. I just said it was not lady-like."

  "Well, it's not gentlemanly to stare at a woman's eyes for so long. Especially if she's not your lover," I shot back.

  He went quiet, a small smile playing on his lips. Yeah, that's right. Be quiet.

  "B-by the way, I remember you now. You're the guy from the Imperial library, right?"

  He nodded. "Yes. That was me, My Lady."

  "Kier," he added, as if reading the 'What is his name?' sign on my forehead.

  "I didn't ask," I huffed. But internally, I was screaming. I like the name.

  "May I at least know My Lady's name?"

  I was about to answer when I spotted Nyx across the road. Rana was behind her, holding a cheesecake box. My soul did a backflip. I stood up and ran so fast I probably left my dignity on that bench.

  I reached the restaurant just in time, panting. But I realized... I forgot the library guy.

  Kier. I couldn't help but smile.

  ? ? ?

  "MY LADY, HERE are the invitations approved by the Grand Duke" Rana gave me a bunch of invitations.

  So these are only the approved ones? It's already too many, how much more if the unapproved ones included?

  I'll die if I attended all of these. Hais, just show me the entrance fo Earth okay?

  "What about the tea party at Marquis Pedere's Estate, My lady?" Rana suggested.

  I secretly rolled my eyes. As if that's any different from other tea parties and gatherings.

  "Lady Estella will be there, My lady" My neck almost broke when I suddenly turned to look at Rana.

  "Weh??"

  "Yes, My lady." She assured.

  "How did you know?" I asked suspiciously.

  "The Duke said so, My lady. I think he said the guest list is in the other letter." She explained.

  I looked at the

  envelope and there was another paper there. I read the content of it and she was right, it is the guest list.

  I suddenly felt ashamed. That's what you get for complaining all the time.

  Alright, I'll attend this one."

  ★

  I'M SITTING at this long table Lady Pedere prepared. Almost all the ladies are here already; we're just waiting for the rest to arrive.

  And yep, I'm not late this time. I don't ever want a repeat of that last grand entrance—everyone staring at me like I orchestrated a royal parade. Never again.

  As I'm looking around, someone enters the garden. Wow. She's shining. My "bff" Estella steps in gracefully, scanning the place until her eyes land on me. Her smile widens instantly, and she hurries to sit beside me.

  "Lady Celestee!" she squeaks.

  "Lady Estella. It's nice seeing you again."

  "Mm! I was really looking forward to this!" she says, practically vibrating. I just smile a little.

  The host arrives, and the tea party goes on. Gossip. Politics. More gossip. Boring, as usual.

  "Celeste—"

  I almost drop my cup when Estella suddenly whispers right in my ear.

  "Yeah?"

  "I heard the Marquis Pedere's here in their manor today," she says.

  "R-really?" ...okay?? And why is this gossip important?

  "Yes!" She leans back, palms on her cheeks. "Haah! I wish I could see him."

  "Do you... have a crush on him?" Oof, my voice got a bit louder. Nice going, Cindy.

  She goes bright red. That's just my guess—but look at her! I can't help but grin.

  "I-I..." Her whole face is a tomato at this point. I started laughing a little too loudly. Wait. Marquis... So her crush is old?

  The other ladies pause, turning toward us.

  "Ah-hehe..." I smiled at them awkwardly. I glanced at Estella and she hides her entire face behind her hands.

  "Lady Estella has a crush on someone?" Lady Sierra asks, teasing.

  Estella recovers enough to answer, "No, no! It's not like that, I was just..."

  Right. She can't fangirl in public cuz of mage management thingy.

  "Haha, I was just teasing Lady Estella," I cut in. "It's nothing."

  They nod and return to their own conversations while I lean toward Estella and whisper—sorry. Me and my big mouth.

  ★

  Me, Estella, and a few others chat. Some of the ladies warm up to me quickly—probably because of my rank. They're not even that sincere.

  Everything goes well except for one thing. If stares could kill, I would've dropped dead by now. One lady at the far end is glaring at me like I stole her inheritance.

  "Lady Jane, you should mind the way you look at Lady Celeste." I blink. Estella noticed too.

  Lady Jane freezes, she's clearly not expecting to be called out.

  "I-" she starts, but everyone jumps in before she can finish.

  "Lady D'Arden is right. That kind of look is disrespectful. Do you not know her standing?"

  "So inappropriate!"

  "She must have lost her mind."

  "A mere daughter of a baronet daring to glare at a grand duke's daughter?"

  "Isn't their business failing?"

  "They barely made it into the nobility—what did we expect?"

  Aaand now it's spiraling. Lady Jane's face is flushing with embarrassment.

  "Wait—I heard The Grand Duke ruin the Baronet's business? No wonder she is acting that way. She thinks she can glare at Lady Vespera?"

  "A baronet's daughter has no right to hold a grudge. She is dirt compared to the Lady."

  Oh?

  So that's the reason behind the death stare.

  Lihim akong napangiti. I found someone with a genuine grudge against the Duke.

  Step 1: Gather people who hate the Duke.

  Step 2: Make them my pawns— allies.

  Step 3: Stop grinning like an evil person in front of everyone.

  a'right, It's showtime. It's time for my Oscar-worthy acting.

  "Ahem... Guys, it's okay," I said, hushing them. They all look at me, astonished.

  "What do you mean, Lady Vespera? She disrespected you."

  "It's fine. I don't mind." I smiled gently. "I understand what she's going through. Their business must be struggling. She must be devastated. I know how tough that is."

  The ladies soften instantly. Pfftt. Too easy.

  "Oh my, you are so understanding, Lady Vespera."

  "Lady Vespera is so forgiving!"

  "She is a saint!"

  See how cool I am? I got an Image boost plus a potential ally in one move. Two birds, one stone.

  "Hmp. She is probably only faking it." I blink at Lady Jane's jab.

  I heard everyone gasps. Here we go again.

  "She must have lost it!"

  "What nerve—after the Lady defended her!"

  "Mouth and attitude of a commoner!"

  Hm, it's obvious that they haven't accepted her in the nobility, they even refuse to call her by her Last name. They just straight out calls her using her name, which is not normal in nobility, mind you. If you're not close, it's inappropriate to call someone by their first name—especially if they have a higher position.

  "Guys, enough." I feel bad for her. But also... girl, why do you keep poking the beasts? "It's fine. Let's not make a big deal out of it."

  "B-but, Lady Vespera—"

  "It's fine." I give them a reassuring smile.

  Lady Jane stares down at her cup, pretending to be tough, but her trembling shoulders say otherwise.

  ★

  The tea party ends, and we prepare to leave.

  Estella holds my hand as we walk side-by-side.

  We're about to exit the garden when Lady Jane steps in front of us. She's looking down while clutching her skirt.

  Estella immediately puts an arm in front of me like she's shielding me.

  "What do you want, Lady Jane?" Estella asks.

  "I-I'm..." She looks like she's about to cry, terrified I'll eat her alive if she says the wrong thing.

  She exhales sharply, then turns and runs away.

  "What was that about?" Estella mutters.

  "She probably felt bad about earlier," I say. "Good if she realized her mistake."

  "Yeah."

  Did I soften her? I hope so.

  We head out, and the moment I get home, I collapse into bed. The public is exhausting. Hais.

  ? ? ?

  ? Tevian Codex ?

  I. Formal Attire for Court and Ceremonial Gatherings

  1. The Dress Tier System

  Tier I - Regal Attire: Worn by royals and direct heirs during ceremonies. Distinct for their heavy p - Lesser Nobility &; Debutantes: Lighter fabrics, pastel palettes, and limited ornamentation. Debutantes are encouraged to avoid red, emerald, and imperial gold-colors reserved for higher ranks.

  Cindy's Note:

  The wearing of colors signifying a higher rank than one's own is considered a grave insult—unless deliberately permitted by one in power.

  II. Personal Attendants in Elandris:

  Duties Include:

  - Managing schedules, events, and invitations.

  - Acting as silent advisers during social gatherings.

  - Reporting behavioral anomalies to the household head.

  Cindy's Note:

  For debutantes, attendants also serve as subtle guides for posture, gesture, and appropriate silence