Sitting on her vanity mirror, watching her maids rushing behind her, as her make-up artist focused on her face, there was one thing in Francheska’s mind ‘deja-vu’. These scenes she had seen before, were way too familiar.
The door of Francheska’s room bursts open to reveal the servant of the duchess holding a large box in front of him for the maids to get it and revealing a beautiful purple dress contrasting with red and gold– the color of the theme of the said celebration.
‘What perfect timing the dress just arrived.’
Standing up from the chair, Francheska ignored her make-up artist as she approached her servants for them to change her. It took longer for them to make Francheska presentable for today's event, although she has been very much used to it now she could not help but notice their brows knitting together on her servant’s faces– she understands it of course.
These past few months the gossip in Francheska’s opinion has been much worse. The narrative of the writer is getting through everyone’s head– leading everyone, even their teacher and servants to do their job well or they might get fired by just one tiny incompetence the writer would pinpoint.
It was annoying on Francheska's side, she kept raising their morale and that they should not let such words affect their work– but she guessed her efforts were nullified and got her feelings mixed by the performance of her servants and teachers… overall it made her feel special and spoiled by giving their all to her– this was ‘her’ first time having such experience.
With all these months spent preparing each detail for this moment, Francheska was dazed of how the time never slows down that everything that she absorbed of every lessons of the day she hoped that tonight would go well and that everyone’s attention was not in vain– it was all up to her.
Francheska was the last one to appear in the front yard, they decided to move in one carriage to show their closeness to the public.
Marinette only gave her a nasty look as she followed their parents inside the vehicle, but when she glanced back Francheska rolled her eyes back to her.
The ride was their parents reminding Francheska and Marinette of their dance, and etiquette lessons, not only that but who they should greet first and what to address them, but it was more directly about Francheska– her sister on the other hand is already familiar to such celebrations but she was not pressured like Francheska.
The young lady of the Hartpinjer house feels a sense of deja vu. Her parent’s nagging was like her manager, that their panicking was also infecting her– Francheska hoped for them to shut their mouth and just give her peace of mind before panic settled in her too.
Unfortunately for both ladies inside the carriage, their parents would not shut up throughout the whole ride. They were now in the castle gates being inspected and yet here they were like a broken record reminding them hopefully for the last time.
As the carriage stopped at the front of the palace, the two sisters for the first time had a mutual feeling of their parents shutting up and out of the carriage to be informed of their arrival.
Walking behind their parents, all they could do was smile and be polite to whoever their parents interacted with. The hall was dazzling and shining brightly, and Francheska could not help but be mesmerized by the beauty of the empire’s richness. Francheska could not help but think of ‘what-if’ in her mind if the crown prince and her do get married.
Francheska’s eyes widened from the realization of what just went into her mind.
‘Married!?’ Did she just lose her reasoning to think of such a situation?
It is crazy, but Francheska cannot help thinking of not ruling out such a possibility, her options were limited, and the crown prince is undeniably the most suitable partner in the empire. She really cannot blame the ladies in court or even her sister gushing over him. Ironic even though he has the most chances of saving her life, also possesses the chance of being in the most danger.
‘One thing for sure, as long as Josephine is still around I have zero survival.’
“Are you alright little lady?” someone asked, which led all eyes on Francheska.
“Ah, I was just so enthralled by the beauty of the place that I could not even contain my happiness.” Francheska politely answered with a smile, which the crowd followed with laughs and giggles.
The little lady was so surprised by the numerous laughs, that she was conscious of her voice being too loud for everyone to hear.
Francheska opened her fan as she covered her awkward laugh from the crowd.
‘Shit, are they making fun of me? Did I say the wrong words?’
Slowly cold sweat was forming on Francheska’s skin and started fanning herself. Suddenly she noticed something, even though the crowd's eyes were on them there was one specific person who seemed to burn a hole in the back of her head.
Carefully scanning the area, she finally locked eyes on the person who shamelessly did not even try averting his gaze.
Barely hiding himself from the person who seemed to be his mother, was standing a confidently tall lad. Dressed expensively from head to toe, his long red hair was styled on a slick back with his daring stare at her with his red eyes like a hunter. Francheska could not help but think that their status might be higher.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
‘Of course, rich people are invited on this occasion. That is just the fact.’ Francheska answered her question and averted her eyes on the stranger.
Suddenly knights forming a line went to intercept the crowd and create a pathway in the middle, as they lay a long red carpet from the entrance to the podium of the hall. The crowd then quieted down after a trumpet was loudly played in the hall.
“Welcome everyone who spent a long journey to be part of this beautiful occasion. To witness another greatness of the empire’s history. Let’s all applaud and warmly welcome your imperial highness the emperor, seventh of his name Lindell Greyson Asopher, and his only son his highness– the crown prince Gerald Jon Asopher.” The announcer addressed the room as the crowd anticipated the appearance of the emperor.
The two knights guarding the door synchronize their movements as they turn the knob of the door behind them and widely reveal the emperor and the crown prince by his side.
Everyone then rejoiced by applauding their presence, as the emperor and the crown prince walked down the red carpet that was laid down the hall.
Following what Francheska had been taught, she too clapped with the crowd to match the atmosphere. Trying to have a glance at the emperor and crown prince as she tiptoed from her parents and sister’s backs, she could barely see them despite the heels she was in– She’s still young, and still has a lot of room for growing.
Sighing as she decided to stand still in her place, Francheska accidentally saw the stranger earlier and was laughing not for the arrival of the emperor and crown prince, rather it was obviously at her– her ridiculous attempt a while ago.
Locking eyes with him, Francheska only cracked a mocking laugh at him, reminding the lad that she knew what he was doing.
‘Oh shit, I forgot I should not even be locking eyes with a guy on these types of occasions. I’m sorry, my teachers.’ Francheska turns her head like an inanimate object as she focuses on the applause.
Francheska was now relieved to see the emperor and crown prince on the podium even with such distance. They were dressed so expensively for the occasion, that Francheska could not help but favor the fictional historical setting that such clothes, jewelry, and decorations were a feast to the eyes.
Even with her status as a Hartpinjer, nothing compares to the riches of the emperor and crown prince– now Francheska wonders who are the richest people in the empire, and if there is a list of where is her family ranked.
Still guarded, the emperor took a few steps forward for everyone to see his presence.
“On such a lovely evening I, the emperor, would humbly welcome you all to my abode to celebrate my beloved only son, the crown prince, of his historical moment finally debuting to high society. Unfortunately, the empress herself is still weak from her illness to come on such an important occasion, but she still means well to give everyone a gift,” Suddenly servants were handing out a green box with a gold ribbon wrapped around it, “-it is her sincere gratitude of witnessing the crown prince special day, and she wished that she could have greeted everyone personally.”
“BUT!” the emperor emphasized the word, “I prefer all of you to unwrap it after you have returned safely back home.” The emperor widely smiled at the crowd.
Gesturing his son to come forward to his side, the emperor's speech was still not done.
“Here, my most beloved son is crown prince Gerald Jon Asopher will give his very first speech to the empire.” The emperor then turned to his son, giving an approving nod as his highness took a step back for his son alone to the crowd.
“On this fine night, the shining decorations of the hall are nothing compared to what will happen today– as the crown prince of the empire, I will make this occasion burn to everyone’s mind that they wished to be in this very moment. Dear esteemed guests, let us savor every second before it strikes midnight!” Gerald then throws his hand open to the air as if trying to embrace the whole crowd in his arms. Then the band loudly played a song so questionable– like they just conquered a battle.
‘That was arrogant of him, really this is why it’s better to know a person personally rather than by letters. He probably paid someone who wrote those poetic love letters.’ Francheska criticized the crown prince inside her head, who had no choice but to laugh and applaud the ridiculous speech just like everyone else.
The speech somehow got the guests all hyped up that it got very lively unlike a while ago. Her sister Marinette who’s already in high society, politely left to join to reunite with her friends. Francheska, who has not yet debuted, just stood quietly behind her family. Behaving just like what she has been taught and not interrupting the conversation of the adults.
“Fine evening your grace, it's been so long that meeting you here felt like a dream. Truly we can never have time in our hands to catch things up, your grace.” The man with brunette hair spoke to the duke.
“I could say the same of your Excellency. Ah, so this is the lad you highly spoke of. Let me introduce to you my youngest daughter,” Standing aside, the duke showed his daughter and nodded for her to introduce herself.
Carefully Francheska tried not to look directly into their eyes and gave them a curtsy, “Good evening Your Excellency, my name is Francheska Del Von Hartpinjer the youngest in the family. I'm very honored to meet you.”
“You Hartpinjers sure have a strong cold bloodline, the little lady reminds me of her grace’s youth. So adorable, I bet my son and your daughter would get along nicely.” The countess giggled at her suggestion.
Stepping forward to introduce himself, he addressed the duke first with a bow and then the duchess as he kissed the gloved backhand of her grace, turning to the direction of the lady– he too kissed the gloved hand of the young lady.
“It's a pleasure to finally meet you my grace, my name is William Dante Cosimo the son of Count Benedict Ralph Cosimo and Countess Isabel Christina Cosimo.” Taking a step back to give them another curtsy.
‘That explains their fashion.’
From what her history and etiquette teachers, they are highly respected for they have been loyal to the empire, and they help boost the economy especially the business of the nobles. When Francheska reads about them, for her they are like their rivals.
“Your graces, may I share a word?” the count asked and he went to his graces side. “Something strange, the temple sent no one to this occasion. From what his highness the emperor said that this is going to be ‘historical’ does his highness suggest their threading alliance?”
The count was somehow relieved of the stillness and calm demeanor after hearing what he just said. The holiness of the temple is so sacred that they all feel like sinners just by uttering the word.
The sharp eagle eye of the duke scanned the hall for confirmation, “I know what you imply Your Excellency, I highly doubt their threading alliance. The ‘historical’ moment might be the highlight of the occasion.”
The count could only grin widely from the duke’s response.
“Your grace, does the rumor flying around not tickle your curiosity?” While the duke was only silent the count continued, “-or boil you into the anger of these wild imaginations of theirs?”
Francheska too was curious about the duke’s thoughts.
The duke closed his eyes as he took a deep breath.
“Rumors fly faster than the messenger birds, but they do not matter to me.”
“Alright your grace, I’m aware. How about we grab a glass and talk over there, we got a lot of things to talk about.”
The duke looked back at his wife which the countess then interrupted, “My grace, I have something to ask of you. As a mother, I wanna know how you managed to be strong when his grace wasn’t around.” The countess took her graces hand to hers, with a pleading look on her face.
“Your excellency, I would love to but my–”
“Do not worry, Your Grace, I will take care of Lady Francheska,” William assured the parents before him, who were already beside Francheska.
“As expected of my son! And besides we’re inside the most secure place of the empire it is time to have fun, just like what his Highness crown prince said in his speech. Now let's be on our way then!” the count happily exclaimed as he took the duke to where the lords were gathering. The countess too gladly escorted the duchess for them to talk the night away.
Standing silently and sinking in the commotion of the two houses, Francheska who is an adult inside a young girl's body was surprised how she too barely understood the behavior of an adult. is it perhaps she forgot how she used to be?
"lady Francheska, how about we indulge ourselves with the meals prepared over there?" the boy smiled.
"lead the way my lord." Francheska replied back.
Following the son of the count, Francheska hoped that after midnight everything will be alright.