You're Welcome To Try

The morning after that incident, numerous rumors flew about high society concerning the sudden appearance and visit of the Emperor of Theradia and the Crown Prince in a popular cafe at the Avenue. Much to my chagrin, rumors of the cancellation of my engagement to Wesley were also a hot topic.

Fortunately enough though, my acting yesterday was quite effective and so most of high society were on my side. That is to say, most of high society now looked down upon Wesley and Lady Matilda rather than me.

However, because of the speed at which these rumors flew, my parents immediately heard the news of our break off and confronted me about it last evening.

"What happened?" my mother, Duchess Lily Castillon, immediately hugged me as soon as I arrived home from the cafe. "Are you alright, my love?"

She knew exactly how in love I was with Wesley. She also knew that the rumors of me being the first one to break it off were true only because she understood that I had the reputation of our family to protect and yet it must have been painful on my part. Needless to say, I erupted into a ball of tears in my mother's arms last night and, since then, I have not shed a single tear. Not even in my sleep.

My father was and always has been understanding. He knew that all the things I did, despite my fashion sense and personality, were for the sake of our family's name. He knew that I knew that rumors were just that. Rumors. The fact that I am an intelligent and capable woman and not some frivolous flower is something he knows for himself.

He also knew that I was a woman of emotion. Thus, when I cried to mother, he didn't utter a single word and simply patted me on the head. It was his own way of saying, "You've been strong and I am proud of you still, my little girl" and "It's fine with me if you continue to kick that bastard's ass."

And so a new day arrived, and it was the day of the Summer Solstice Ball.

For the Acethenes, the Summer Solstice Ball was by far the largest annual ball held by the royal family since it was not only for the nobles but also for the commoners to attend. Not to mention, the royals invite at least one different foreign guest to attend the five-day ball each year. Thus, it was quite a large event in scale.

The ball was held in commemoration of the birth of the kingdom and the ascension of the first Acethene King. This year, the theme was 'innocence and love'. Thus, I expected there to be a lot of women dressed in either white or red.

How boring.

As the great Lady Anastasia Eleanor Castillon, I would never succumb to such cliche fashion. Instead and as per usual, I will rise to be the star of the evening. It is absolutely a must for me to stand out at all times.

For I wished it. And so, it shall be done.

"Aliesha, prepare my gown," I ordered haughtily while my maid simply smiled knowingly.

"Yes, m'lady."

As eccentric as I was, I never forgot my manners and standing in life. My manner of clothing and my attitude may have been prime reasons for garnering hatred among the female population in the noble circle, but people knew better than to outright disrespect me because of my lineage. Thus, I was more or less allowed to dress and act in whatever way I want to.

My thoughts then wandered to yesterday's incident. More specifically to Emperor Xavier.

What was such a man hiding in plain sight at a cafe for? And, judging by how his servant seemed to have frantically looked everywhere for him, did he leave unannounced to wander in the city alone?

What a strange man.

"Your cousin is quite interesting, don't you think so, Matthias?"

The memory suddenly resurfaced and I couldn't help but chuckle bitterly. His Majesty wasn't the first man to call me interesting. Thus, my heart couldn't help but feel numb at that statement.

What a waste, I thought. And he was so dashingly handsome, too.

Too bad I was heartbroken.

"Ugh, get yourself together, Anastasia," I scolded myself as I stood up from the bed and opened the curtains to welcome the bright and warm sunlight. I took in a deep breath and exhaled, my body instantly relaxing.

"You are more than just a woman in love," I told myself in all confidence. "I vow to never be fooled again."

"My lady, the bath is ready," Aliesha spoke behind me.

I turned around and smiled. Time to get the day started.

***

"You do know it's unnecessary, right?" Prince Matthias spoke to his friend who lay stretched out on his office sofa at that moment. In the middle of his busy office work, the nonchalant emperor dared to enter unannounced and threaten to disturb his precious work time with a ridiculous request.

"But aren't I a guest?" the silver-haired emperor blatantly countered. "Besides, I'm afraid I'm still not accustomed to your country's culture, Matthias. It would be nice to have a guide during my stay."

The Crown Prince sighed. "Yes, it would be nice, but why request specifically for a female escort? And my dignified cousin no less?" he asked exasperated, knowing Anastasia would butcher him if he agreed to this. "I can assign you a different escort, if you'd like. Just... just not her."

To this, Emperor Xavier's eyebrow rose. "Oh? And why not?" he asked with an amused look. "Are you one of those types who act like an overprotective brother with a sister complex?"

Matthias felt a vein pop. "Don't lump me in with those people," he barked then sighed. "Anastasia would make sure to make my life miserable if I ask her to be your escort for the next five days. She doesn't like extra work. In fact, she hates extra work. She's quite eccentric, you see, and very manipulative. My cousin always gets what she wants to the point of making my life miserable if I don't side with her."

"How pitiful," Xavier muttered under his breath with a smirk. Before the prince could ask him what he just said, he raised another question. "Then what if I ask her myself?"

To that, Matthias's eyebrows shot up before he laughed out loud, much to the emperor's curiosity.

"You think I can't do it?" Xavier asked in a challenging tone.

"No, I don't think you can," the prince replied with a pitiful look in his eyes and an amused grin. "But you're welcome to try."

And so the emperor did.