Lianne was at the greenhouse the next day when Malerna began to express her excitement on the coming ball of the Regaleria Mansion. Apparently, King Garlow decided to host a ball in welcome of his son back to the Regaleria Kingdom, but surely, for the princess, it wasn’t the only reason.
“This would be a wondrous occasion! It has been quite a few years since we had a big party like this!” Malerna, with gleaming eyes, announced to the other maids in attendance. They were picking fresh tomatoes and lettuce for a salad later tonight and the princess requested to come along with them in hopes of killing her boredom inside the mansion.
“It’s all the same for me,” Princess Lianne commented, frowning. “This ball would be the same as others, largely extravagant in order to fit Garlow’s whims.” She pulled a perfectly ripe tomato from its branch and threw it to her basket with a little bit less care.
What she didn’t notice though was that she was observed by a young girl of ten years old. Gina, the youngest daughter of the chief cook of the mansion, batted her eyelashes in disbelief.
“Oh, you’re not excited, Princess?” Next to Malerna, Gina asked Lianne with hope in her eyes. She saw the princess not only as someone of royal blood but also as her big sister.
Lianne was taken aback.
Both Malerna, Erza, and two other maids simultaneously looked at each other and were anxious about her response.
“I… I am excited too Gina,” Lianne started, trying her best to give out a calm answer, “but you know me, I don’t like parties that much,” she continued and then showed a forced smile. Her answer may be a big, fat lie, but the young girl’s innocence and honesty were comforting to Lianne that she didn’t want to taint it just by telling her the truth. Gina never did knew how much the princess hated the royal residents of the mansion and Lianne wanted it to remain that way.
In response, the young girl rounded her eyes even more. “Wow, Princess! You are the very first lady I know who doesn’t like parties and such.”
Malerna chuckled at the comment, threw a fleeting eye on the princess, who in return winked at the older woman as if giving a silent message. Malerna then picked the basket of tomatoes and then stooped low to level herself with Gina’s frame of vision.
“You see dear, our princess here is not used to joining parties. That is why it is a must for her to join the ball tomorrow.”
Letting out a silent protest, Lianne looked pleadingly at the older woman, but Malerna dismissed her.
“I’m sure, when she will attend the ball tomorrow, she’d be the most beautiful woman there is!” Malerna added as she crossed her arms to her chest in delight.
Gina’s eyes gleamed even more as she looked back at the princess who quickly hid her dismay with a sweet smile.
“Oh my! I can’t wait for tomorrow! I am even more excited now to see what Princess Lianne would look like!”
“I… I don’t think you should be, Gina. I… uhm… I’m not going to-” Lianne was at a loss for words just by looking at those cute bright eyes of the girl.
She remembered herself on that same age: carefree, full of innocence, and wonder. Everything around seemed like a fairy tale. Everything around seemed to end in a happy ending. But of course, to Lianne now, Gina’s sunny disposition was but a reminder of what she used to be.
It wasn’t an enough excuse for her to break the excitement of the child though. She wouldn’t be able to forgive herself if she disappointed Gina’s expectations.
“Now, now. I am sure the princess meant to be humble,” Malerna butted in, patting the girl’s shoulder. “There’s still a lot of princesses of the other kingdoms joining the party tomorrow, dear.”
Gina gave a good amount of frown and bit her lips in disapproval. “No! I don’t think that will be the case, Auntie Malerna! I’m sure Princess Lianne will be the most beautiful of them all!”
Lianne, hearing this, smiled sweetly again, admitting defeat.
Thanks to this little girl, she would force herself to join the ball tomorrow.
***
“I am attending the ball tomorrow,” Lianne announced to the Head Servant when they were inside the kitchen that evening.
Lady Faye was busy preparing their evening meal, but upon hearing it, a faint smile appeared on her lips. “Now that’s a real change, Your Highness,” she commented, but thereafter lifted a brow, clearly wondering what brought the change of mind.
“Oh I know what you’re thinking, Lady Faye,” Lianne replied, her shoulder’s sagged whilst she sat at the center of the table. “But I can’t help it. I don’t want to taint Gina’s innocence! I don’t want to disappoint the girl. She really is so excited for me tomorrow that I couldn’t just tell her the truth.”
The Head Servant smiled some more. “It seems that the child did have some influence on you huh?” She opened the main course of the meal and offered the princess napkins for her lap. “Then I am relieved just by hearing that,” she then said plainly.
Lianne released a heavy sigh and after that, remained silent for the remainder of her dinner.
The governess sat beside her and also started eating.
It was only after they finished when she broke the silence between them. “I know tomorrow’s event would be hard on you my dear but think about it, it is still your freedom we are talking about here. All I am sure of is that the more exposed to the public you will be, the harder it would be for the King to enclose you here.”
“So, I should go to great lengths like going to the ball just for that kind of assumption?” Lianne clarified, eyeing her.
“Yes, it’s a chance you could take,” Lady Faye answered, nodding. “Either way, there is no harm in joining a ball, right?”
Lianne stared at the old woman who had an honest smile on her lips. She was right, unfortunately, but there was this nagging feeling in her heart that balls in Regaleria meant trouble always.
***
Afternoon, the day of the ball, Lianne hastily walked towards the kitchen looking for Lady Faye, and she did find her inside the room doing quite such a busy work supervising the other maids in preparation for the ball.
“What is it, my dear?” Lady Faye asked.
“Lady Faye, I don’t seem to recall anything about ordering a new gown, but why is there a big box with an expensive-looking gown in my bedroom table?” Lianne breathlessly recounted.
The governess was calm amidst the princess’ confusing look, and only replied, “Hmm, that is for you my dear.”
“Huh? What do you mean?” Her brows rose.
“You are to wear that gown in the ball tonight, Princess.”
“But, Lady Faye? Where did you get it? It looks so expensive! And I haven’t even fitted the gown, how would you know it fits me well?” The princess was worried, but the governess only patted her shoulder in comfort.
“My dear, you are a princess and you have the right to dress like one. Take that gown and wear it this evening for that creation yearns to be worn by royalty. You need not worry about all the details.”
“But Lady Faye…” She was unsure what to do, but the governess only comforted her more.
“Think of it as an advantage to make Gina happier. She did expect you to be the most beautiful of all women tonight, right?” With that statement, Lady Faye then went back to the kitchen room, leaving the princess on the verge of crying. She was sincerely thankful for such a dress, but she felt a little bit uneasy about it.
***
The Regaleria Mansion became alive that night now that the ball was near. All of the chandeliers of the mansion were lit, the heavy curtains were opened, and there were many servants busily passing to and from the grand hall.
The front gate of the mansion was adorned with crystal carved lamps, and along the way to the massive portico, porcelain vases with huge white candle wax lit the way.
Guests from all over the kingdom and beyond started pouring in with their respective carriages lining up all the way to the gate.
Princess Lianne was anxious. She had never been like this before even when she had her first ball at the Soulisse Mansion. She was no oracle but something about this night was different to her. Something foreboding. But to keep her sanity intact, she threw the thought away.
‘Everything would be just fine. Everything will be okay.’ That was her chant to comfort herself.
Two hours ago, the majordomo of the Soulisse Mansion arrived with a message from General Cain. It seemed that the general would like to escort the princess to the ball.
Although it was rather unnecessary, considering the servant’s quarters and the grand hall was on the same floor, the majordomo insisted on behalf of the general in which Lianne could not refuse.
“Lord Cain will escort me,” she muttered to herself as she stood in the front of her bedroom window staring blankly at the night sky.
She reminded herself that Lord Cain’s presence would soothe her anxiety. He was after all her good friend before the confession happened. It was the right thing to do for her to accept Cain’s offer. This way, she wouldn’t feel like an alien in the mansion she had lived for so many years.
“Everything’s going to be alright” she uttered again, then took a deep breath to calm her pounding heart.
She began to walk towards the bedroom mirror and stood there looking blankly at her reflection. Erza left her earlier after helping her dress for the party.
She donned an empire cut gown, fleshy-white color, embroidered with pink tiny roses and sequined with silver Swarovski crystal beads. It had a three-inch trail, enough for her to manage when walking.
To her relief, the gown was modest enough to cover the swell of her breasts, but it had a slit above the knee exposing the soft skin of her legs.
She blushed at the sight of her own reflection.
The dress was beautiful indeed. To own such a thing like this was an honor. Surely, she wouldn’t hesitate to ask Lady Faye again where she had procured such a creation.
The gown didn’t need any jewelry with it. It was perfect on its own. But, as she scanned through the box again, she saw a bodkin with a flower ornament at its head, and two twisted, long metal shavings dangling over the pin.
Her hair was kept in a perfect do with groups of thin curled hair falling to her shoulders.
Upon seeing the bodkin, she instantly knew where it would perfectly suit. Somehow, Lady Faye knew that the gown and the hairpin would be a great match.
Wearing her white silk four-inch sandal, she walked towards the front door of her bedroom, ready for what lay ahead.
It was time.
She walked through the maids quarter’s hall all the way to the front of the foyer, and to her surprise, Lord Cain was already standing at one of the foyer’s receiving table holding with him a glass of champagne.
He was wearing a black regal tuxedo with a bloody rose at the right side of his pocket, looking ever the dashing man she had known him to be.
He smiled when their eyes met. Lianne realized at that moment: instead of relieving her anxiety, Cain’s presence actually added more.
“Why am I like this?” she whispered to herself, her lips quivering.
Lord Cain quickly approached her with a wide smile. He bowed when he was an arm’s-length away and then reached for her gloveless right hand to kiss it.
“Princess Lianne, you honor me tonight with your presence,” he stated smoothly right before kissing her hand.
“Please, Lord Cain, formality is not needed here,” Lianne expressed feeling flushed by the touch of his lips on her hand. She should have worn a glove, she thought, but it was already too late now.
“But, I feel it is a must. I don’t want to waste your precious presence by acting casual with you,” he replied.
She smiled in response and let out a breath of defeat. Let him indulge whatever he likes, she thought. It was only for this night anyway.
“Well, how do I look?” she asked, aiming to divert the subject. “I think I had overdone myself with this gown.”
Cain shook his head in disapproval.
“Don’t be Lianne. You look absolutely ethereal tonight. But, always have been and every day for that matter,” he responded, his gaze never away from her.
He offered his arm for her to hold and motioned for them to enter the grand hall.
Truly, it made Lianne more uncomfortable. The thought of sharing the same room with the man she hated gnawed at her bones. He must be in his usual extravagantly decorated royal table. All she needed to do was to stay as much as possible away from that table and everything would be fine.
She knew that she would have to control her raging emotions then. Yes, for the sake of Gina’s feelings, and hers, especially her craved freedom.
Beyond the main door of the grand hall, there were undoubtedly loud voices all over the area.
A band of musicians had played waltz to encourage the guests to dance at the center of the grand hall.
It was Lianne’s first time to behold what was happening in this area even though she had been living in the mansion and had experienced Garlow hosting a lot of parties in the past.
‘So, this is it. Truly, why am I not surprised?’ she spoke to herself.
They both descended to the grand marble staircase towards the main hall. At the same time the waltz ended, halfway from their descend, Lord Jared, who was at the top of the grand staircase announced their arrival.
“Welcome, General Cain of the House of Von Cavill and with the princess of Regaleria Kingdom, Princess Lianne.”
All of the guests who have noticed their arrival stared at the descending couple with awe and pleasure in their eyes.
Half of the guests were the same guests that were in attendance at the Soulisse Mansion ball and the House of Astoria party. Princess Lianne noticed some noblewomen waving their hands directly at General Cain and others seemingly displeased by the sight of them together.
The bachelors of the kingdom, Dukes and Duchesses, however, welcomed the princess with delight and warm smiles on their faces. There was the Duchess of Equinnoel in sight also to Lianne’s glee.
When Lord Cain and the princess reached the assigned table of the generals, trumpets were blown, an indication of the royal entourage’s arrival at the grand hall. Lord Jared quickly climbed up the stairs and stood directly at the entrance portal, and then announced with all his strength the titles that were mandatory.
“Welcome, Crown Prince Ruen of the Regaleria Kingdom,” he stated first, then followed by the overly created introductions of the King.
Prince Ruen stepped inside the grand hall casually as ever.
He wore no expression on his face nor a hint of a smile on his lips, but he did bow low to welcome all of the guests before he descended the stairs.
He was followed a few moments later by his father, King Garlow, who managed to smile haughtily to everyone.
Ruen’s eyes were fixed on the princess as he passed by their table and it made Lianne even more cognizant of his unusual attention.
When they reached the royal table that was situated at the edge of the grand hall, centrally to all of the tables aligned, King Garlow quickly announced that the party be started. Immediately after, the band of musicians played their first batch of songs and everyone started to enjoy the ball.
Most of the guests near the general’s table, however, had their eyes keenly observant on the princess’ every move, and the royal council was also quite meticulous of her presence at the party. She did refuse many invitations from the councilmen after the Astoria party, so she did make a real inviting impression on the nobles because of it.
The royal table was elevated three stairs high from the ground of the hall itself. King Garlow was sitting at the center of the table apparently talking to a royal council at his left side.
What leaped Lianne’s heart as she perused the table was the man beside Garlow on his right, sitting calmly and what looked like staring back at her with those devilishly brown-green eyes.
How could she feel comfortable when she knew that many eyes were upon her, especially his? She shouldn’t have worn this dress in the first place.
“Relax, Princess Lianne,” Lord Cain whispered close to her ear to her apparent surprise. Under the table, she felt his hand clench her own and then he beamed a sincere smile on her way. “I am here, you don’t have to worry.”
Lianne smiled back, but her anxiety only grew worse as she saw Lord Jared approach them in a speedy manner.
Cain frowned by the sight of the old man and he knew instantly that he was bringing a message from the King.
As the majordomo neared their table, he bowed low in respect with the generals in assembly and then approached the major general even closer whispering something in his ear.
His displeasure was immediately evident as Lord Jared whispered the King’s message, and without any word, he stared worriedly at the princess on his side.
“What’s the matter, Cain?” Lianne asked, heart pounding hard, but Lord Jared instead offered his hand to her and said:
“Your Highness, Princess Lianne, you are requested by King Garlow at his table.”