I was carried by Sir William when my punishment is over, and now. I am being healed by my old place.
I am not alone this time, the Duke Theron helped me to improve my place and a lot of servants and knights was here.
Lady Critesa is done at cleaning my deep wounds and crying while taking care of me.
"Stop crying already, I told you. It's okay now, my punishment is over and everything will be alright." I look behind me and she gently wipe her tears.
"I will make some beverages and food that you like, your highness. I will be right back." She stand up after saying that and leave all at once.
I lean back at my bed, and start to read some books that will might help me at political tactics.
This is the real battle field. The official announcement of my engagement will be the day after tomorrow, and it will be held at the mansion of the Duke.
I am also thinking what will be my look at that day, and before that. What my sister will do before the engagement.
I have a bad feeling that she will do anything to stop the engagement, even my father already allowed my marriage with the Duke.
"A revealing dress, the same one at the time when my mother become a concubine." I said and stand up, get some paper and write down what I like the details of my gown.
Lady Critesa opened the door and bringing a lot of cold drinks and food.
"Can you make a appointment to this designer at the capital, for my gown at the engagement night?" I asked and Critesa put down the tray and nod energetically.
She seemed excited.
"I will make an appointment right now, sit back there and relax. Your servants at the Villa is here. You can remove your eye silk and the knights will inform you if there is someone who is here that is not familiar with you." I smile and waved to Critesa.
"Just be careful, tell the coach man to take it slow." She nod and bowed her head before heading out.
I sit back again and drink some cold beverages that she bring. Reading the politics book and understanding each of the laws that is effective to my empire.
My father is being unlawful last night, and there's a punishment for that, once that my innocence is proven.
The people who is my witness is being held at the safe place, under the care of Duke.
Every mistakes that they commit will be my bullet once I strike back to each of them.
I am reading peacefully, when I feel that there's something at the balcony.
I am aware that that visitor isn't welcome here, maybe an assassin.
I laugh hard and didn't look around the place. "I know you're there, if you're planning to kill me now. Think twice. I didn't wear my eye silk, you might get killed on your own if you try." I took a deep breath and close the book.
"Behind the curtain." I didn't move and hold the glass firmly.
"I am giving you a chance to save yourself, a lousy assassin like you won't kill me, or can't harm me." I stand up and walk out of the room.
Successfully get out the room and the knights barge inside my room.
Checking each corner of it.
Duke Theron was here, looked worried and checking my body if I got a new bruises.
"I sensed that there's a intruder to your room, so I went here!" He draw his sword and check my room.
"He already escape, told him that he is not capable at hurting someone like me." I looked at the mirror at my vanity table. My eyes is glowing, and I sensed fear. It fades and they confirmed that the assasin already escaped.
"I told you, he run away. I bet he saw that I am not joking around." The knights looked afraid and vanish instantly even they aren't affected by my curse.
"Prince Terrence and Princess Hannah didn't learn their lesson huh." I smirk and drink some cold lemonade.
"The mercenary king will take care of it. I sensed that he's back, but didn't show up for a while. I don't know why." I put down the glass and the Duke is looking at me.
"How sure you are that he is loyal to you?" I look away and think. Should I tell him the truth or a little bit of lie with the touch of truth.
"I know his name. Does it mean he's my possession?" Duke Theron massages his forehead and took a deep sigh.
"You already build a strong background, even we didn't meet." He stands up and kneel where I am sitting.
"You have connections to the people that you supposed to connect with, that's nice. You're ahead before we execute the plan." Duke Theron kissed my hand after saying it and looked amazed.
"You never failed to surprise me, what else are you capable off?" I also asked myself.
What I am really capable off? Am I stopping myself, to show what the real me is?
What else I can pull off? Maybe I already have this before I met the Duke. He just pushed me to do what I need to do, and support me when no one can support me.
"I don't know actually, I am also surprised that I can do what you're expecting me to do." I raised his hand and placed it to my cheeks.
Closing my eyes and feeling his soft hand.
"But I can assure you one thing, once that every is set up, and went according to the plan, it's unstoppable. We have to be careful and execute all of it perfectly, because we can't make a mistake, we are tip toeing to the lava. One mistake might be our last breath." I opened my eyes and look straight to Duke's eyes.
What a lovely green eyes of him.
His face is getting near, when the door opened and we distanced ourselves.
"Your highness, the designer is waiting at your drawing room." I nod and look at the Duke.
"I need to prepare my gown for our engagement and our marriage," I said and he nod. Duke Theron's cheeks is all red, and when he looked away, his ears are also red.
Such a cutie.
"Will be there, I'll change." The Duke walk out of the room and Lady Criseta look clueless why the Duke is blushing.
I just smile and went to changing room.
...
"Just add some details to this dress, I want to look miserably gorgeous at that night." I said and the designer looked worried on my suggestions.
"But it will expose your bruises," I smile and she still look clueless.
"Is that bad?" I act stupid and she nod slowly.
"I'm so sorry your highness, but let me hide your bruises, it might bring a bad impression to the nobility, even they already know that you got punished, I'm so sorry for my insolent," she explained and bowing her head.
"It's okay, I am open to your suggestion." Her face lighten, and showed the other designs. Revealing but it's capable of hiding the whipped bruises that I got last night.
"I remember that my mother is the one who created the gowns for the concubine of the emperor, your mother. Do you know where is it? I can modify it into your likings, if ever you want to embrace the tradition of your mother's root?" My mind glow and I nod.
"Lady Critesa, can you get the box at my changing room, there's one box there that I kept." Lady Critesa ran and didn't wait a second.
I smile at the designer and she looked happy, appreciating my body and it's like a simp.
When she noticed that I am looking at her reaction, she's surprised and look down.
"I am sorry, I just can't help but to appreciate you. My late mother said that your mom is the sexist woman at the empire when she came here, that the genes of Lady Yella is really amazing, and you got them all." I looked at my curves, and that's true.
My sister Hannah has the similar figure of the empress, but I am slimmer, taller and my complexion is much better.
Maybe Lady Criseta really take care of me, that's why my skin glow.
I removed my eye silk and I saw fear in her eyes, but at the moment she saw my eyes, she's surprised and like an idea came into her mind.
"Red eyes, then white stones suited for you." She said and Lady Criseta went inside with the servants, holding the box.
They showed the gown and the designer cried.
"My mother's creation is timeless. And size of this gown is similar as yours, your highness." She helped the servants to put the gown at the mannequin.
"You can stay here, if you want to finish the dress early. Just get your tools and I will lend some room and servants to help you, you can also bring your assistant if you need one." I said and she's still busy at checking the condition of the gown.
I hide that gown, but I didn't believe that my mother wear that when she's pregnant with me at the ball.
"I will, your highness. I will assure you that this gown will be modified on your desired," she said and bowed her head.
I am excited for the result of the gown, what my father will react if he saw the gown of my late mother.
I know that even they are mad at me, their appearance at the engagement party is needed, and that will be the best night of my life.
Seen them miserable, my father who didn't like the engagement, my step mother who is mad at my whole existence. My brother who is threatened by the Duke and my little sister who is obsessed with the duke.
Their misery is my happiness.
"Your highness, can you choose what will be your jewelry ahead of time?" I looked at her and take a sip at my cold wine.
"So I can modify it and make a harmony to the gown." I nod and I sign the servants to bring the jewelries that the Duke gave to me.
I am actually planning to wear the jewelry that his late mother used at her engagement with Duke Theron's father.
Like a tradition of his family, even the Duke is like an orphan already.
But let's see if it will look nice to the violet gown that I have now.
They came inside with jewelry boxes and they helped me to wear the gown. It's a bit loose to me, maybe because my mom gain some weight when she's bearing me.
"This box is the jewelry of late duchess." Lady Critesa open the box, and it's the diamond. She carefully helped to wear the jewelry and the tiara.
"I get it now." The designer said and get her sketch book.
"Thank you so much, your highness. And I am sorry for making a demands—"
"It's okay, I want to look stunning at my engagement party, so do as you please, tell my butler if anything else is needed. He will assist you, and if you need me, call my lady in waiting. I will be there as soon as possible." She nod and bowed her head.
"I really appreciate this opportunity, your highness, I won't disappoint you." I patted her shoulder and smile.
"You have a good intention in me, you didn't get affected by my curse, I like you." I said before walking away after they removed the gown and the jewelries.
"I'll rest now, have a great night here." The door opened and I don't know why my visions become blurry.
I just heard their voices, calling my name before I kneel and lost my consciousness.
I'm so tired.