'Excuse me...what? Did I misheard her? Maybe...' I prayed that it was the case.

"You shut that mouth before I rip it off!" Glared Helena coldly.

Yeah. To my dismay, my ears worked just fine. Nothing was wrong with it. It was this girl in front of us who had gone mental.

"I believe it must be the handiwork of fate that we met the way we did...And despite the adversary that I've been through, it doesn't change the fact that my heart burns with great affection for you, Alexander...As I stated earlier, love will claim triumphant in the end." Rambled lady Heliard about some some bullshit and whatnot.

Helena sucked in a mouthful of breath, cocking her neck sideways, budding with rage.

"Right. Love does triumph. It's just as you said..." She voiced a tone that sounded akin to a growling beast, gritting her teeth.

I thought she was going to start trouble then and there. But instead, despite being angry, Helena chose to step back, closer to me.

"But too bad for you, he is mine...Alex, hand." And with her eyes glued to the other party, Helena forced out a taunting smirk and bent her knee lightly.

Now, I may not be the sharpest at things like these. Heck, I knew just how dense I could be at times, but I knew that this was not my battle to fight. The best I could do for everyone there was to nod and play along like a good boy.

So, I did exactly that...

I lifted my hand up and found Helena's silky hair, stroking her head lovingly per our usual routine, ignoring the jarring development that occurred in the faces of our surroundings.

"See? He's mine." Declared Helena further, relishing the moment.

While I didn't exactly know what to make out of all this, one thing was for sure...whatever this was that Helena was doing, it was working like a charm.

And the proof of that would be the sight of Lady Heliard's face twisting like she had swallowed a bug.

"For now, Fifth Princess...But do you think it will stay that way?" Commented her grimly.

"It will stay as it is. Forever." Declared Helena firmly.

The other party didn't take well upon that. She strode forward, dangerously close, before she leaned slightly forward.

Whispering to Helena, "Why, they didn't say bliss is ignorance for nothing, apparently...Do you even know what's the word that's been going around about this whole facade you call engagement?"

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"..." Helena didn't say anything in response, freezing solid in her place.

"It will be over. One way or the other, it will be over, Helena...Did you honestly believe that the world will spin according to your little whims and wishes? Don't you think it's time for you to grow up, you spoiled girl?" Finished her.

I thought that was surely the tipping point. Helena would blow up, and we had to deal with whatever mess she made afterward.

But, apparently, I was wrong...

"It will be over? Ha! You got this completely backward, you dull vixen. It won't end, and one way or the other, it will be me who stands beside Alex. Spin it however you like. My whims and wishes? Yeah, I guess that works too." Sneered Helena exageratedly.

Well, to be fair, Helena had always been an excellent debater. Her many bouts with Sister Alyson and Howard served as proof of that. All the more so if we include cursing and screaming like a rabid dog on the table...

Yeah, no one could beat her at that...

"There's just no talking to you, I guess..." Lady Heliard heaved through her nose, her gaze full of mockery.

"Helena, dear...Is everything alright? People have been waiting for you...Oh, my! If it isn't young lady Heliard. You look as lovely as ever." Out of nowhere, Mother appeared with a smile akin to the warmest summer, putting a break on the showdown between the two girls.

"Oh my~ I can't believe my eyes! Your grace and beauty are indeed timeless. The resemblance truly reminds me of the gentle moon glowing in the blanket of the night. And each time I see you, you're only getting younger and younger." As though the previous escapades with Helena were nothing but lies, lady Heliard picked up the hem of her dress and assumed an elegant bow in front of Mother.

"Ho ho~ What a refreshing greeting, lady Heliard." Giggled Mother.

"...nothing's wrong, Mother. We were just talking, lady Heliard and I." Not about to get upped, Helena provocatively glanced at Lady Heliard, who flinched a bit, hearing Helena addressing Mother like a daughter-in-law.

"Madam Dawson! What a delightful occasion!" And yet another player soon entered the fray.

Fashioning a deep maroon long dress with a slit on her thigh, a woman that looked awfully similar to Lady Heliard approached us.

She had a sharp, pointy nose with a chiseled jaw and light teal-colored wavy hair that fell gracefully above her shoulder, bobbing and flowing as her long heels dominated the floor.

Something about her reminded me of Clara. Although Clara was often more playful and mischievous than this woman...

Anyway, with a glass of wine in her hands, the woman gave a light bow to Mother, to which the latter returned in kind.

"Madam Heliard. What a stunning dress. You look absolutely gorgeous!" Opened Mother.

"Oh, you always have your way with words, Madam Dawson...What a party we have here, don't you think? It's nice to see my sweet Giselle with her friends. I have met the fifth Princess on several occasions, but that isn't the case for this young man, I believe." Throwing the balls my way, Madam Heliard lightly sipped her wine as she casually took a glance at me.

"My name is Alexander Von Dawson, the eldest son of the House of Dawson. It is an honor to meet you, Duchess Heliard." I said, keeping it simple and with enough manners, just like how Sir Lodrick taught me.

"What a charming fellow. If I don't know any better, I might insist on having him as my own." Laughed the woman.

With her hand covering her mouth and her eyes moving to study others' reactions, I could roughly tell how and why Lady Heliard always had a habit of carrying a fan with her.

She was just trying to copy her Mother.

"Thank you, Duchess," I answered politely.

'Can you people just leave me alone...? Please...?' Whilst sighing for the umpteenth time inside.