Layne’s Point of View
“My Lady, you have to stay still”
“I can’t,” tears were cascading down my cheeks.
“You have to bear with it My Lady, this will be the last pull.”
“Three…”
“Two…”
“One!” with full force Anne pulled the strings of this corset. This is what they call this thick fabric that is wrapped around my waist. It was so foreign to me.
“Ouch! It’s painful!” my scream definitely echoed into the halls. Do women need to wear this? “My lady, you have to inhale more. I can’t seem to tie the strings. I am afraid, I have to pull it one more time” My jaw dropped; I can’t do this anymore.
“Alright, in three…two…one!”
“AHHHHHHHHHHHHH”
Lady Montes’ Point of View
One day ago
"I am in." Miern's face brightened. Despite feeling a bit held back, I did realize one thing ...
Maybe he is right, it's time to face destiny.
“Wise choice” Miern pleasingly said.
“You dragged us here, so I am assuming that you have a plan,” I said, and he smirked. “There is, just a moment.” Miern grabbed papers beside him. I am pretty sure they were just for show.
“What’s funny?” He asked seriously but in contrast, I shook my head while giving a soft chuckle. “Here’s the plan.” He looked me straight in the eye and pulled a piece of paper and pen. He then carefully placed it on top of the table.
“First, you need to file a divorce against the Archduke.” my hand trembled. These are divorce papers. I was young and naïve before, all I wanted was to escape from the clutches of Elynos. It didn’t matter whether I divorced him or not.
This will shake Axen.
“Can you do it, sister?” I clenched my fist and didn’t say a word.
“Don’t tell me you still love —”
“I can,” I said immediately. My heart ached as if it was being stabbed by thorns.
“This will signify your return and then we will drop the bomb.”
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What bomb?
As I looked puzzled, Miern continued, “The bomb is… Layne’s existence. We will introduce her to the noble society.”
“How soon will all these happen?” I asked and Miern smiled widely.
I don’t like that smile, how cheeky.
“Tomorrow, you file the divorce, then the day after, we drop the bomb.” Great, it is that soon. I rolled my eyes. “How are we dropping the bomb? I am assuming we attend some sort of gathering, like a ball.” I said. As a noble who attends balls all the time before, this is usually an opportunity to make connections, create scandals, and reveal shocking news. Overnight, this event can make you the most hated or talked about person in Axen.
“You caught on.” He nodded pleasingly, “With the shortest time we have, Layne will be trained by Aunt G.” I heard that name again.
The old lady is still alive huh.
Layne’s Point of View
A day before the Grand Ball.
Yesterday, Mother told me we will stay here. I am assuming that Uncle Miern was able to convince her. She thoroughly explained that it was now time to live the path I was meant to instead of running away.
Navigating this new identity will be hard for me, especially when my first task as a noble is to attend a Grand Ball. What’s even worse is, it will be held tomorrow night!
I screamed inside.
I don’t know if I will be assured or not because Mother said that I would not be sent unprepared. Thus, someone would teach me the basic etiquette. Right now, I am on my way to the said study where this will all happen. Anne is with me so I will not get lost like last time
To my surprise, just like last time, I have encountered Rafaelo, again. He stopped right away, placed his right fist on his left chest, and bowed. “Greetings, my Lady.” He said with respect. I just smiled back and went on because his mere presence made me nervous.
In the study room.
I was patiently waiting; the door could open any moment. Minutes later it creaked open, slowly, which added much tension to my nervousness. A figure of an old lady is shown wearing a purple dress with hair that is tied sleekly clean. She is the epitome of grace as she walked with poise towards my direction. I can feel her pensive blue eyes scanning my existence from head to toe.
“Stand.” Her autocratic voice made me stand right away. She circles me; her clanking shoes make my heart pound even more. “Eyes and hair like the Brevont’s, a stature like the Theone, interesting.” She mumbled.
She finally stood up in front and looked at me straight in the eye. I couldn’t even breathe. “To formally start, I am Gina Vientte, Brevont’s etiquette teacher, I prefer to be called, Aunt G. Both our families have a close history, we have served the Brevont’s for centuries. I was responsible for Miern and Montes’ etiquette lessons back in the day…” She paused for a moment, “they were brilliant, fast learners. So, I am expecting you, my child, to be as good as them.” I gulped and beads of sweat were rolling down my chin.
“Your mother told me a lot of things about you as I arrived here. How you were raised in the small village and knew nothing of proper manners and etiquette.”
She grabbed a small bell from inside her sleeve and rang it. The door suddenly opened, and two individuals came in, carrying a huge luggage.
“Your shoes, take them off.” Aunt G said. “Pardon?” she raised an eyebrow which made me quickly remove my shoes. What’s wrong with them? Her assistant rushed towards me. One grabbed my shoes and the other gave me a new one. “Put them on.” She ordered.
It was hard getting into the shoes because it is higher and slimmer. “To be a proper noble, your posture must be flawless” Aunt G walked slowly back and forth while giving this lecture. “These shoes” she grabbed the ones I just removed “are garbage, if nobles saw you wearing this, they’ll mock you and create gossip about you with just a petty little thing. House Brevont cannot uphold that shame, don’t you agree?” without mercy, she threw the shoes out of the window which made me jolt.
Is she crazy?