Chapter 63

For once, Alexis didn't groan when her corset was being tightened, she didn't complain about the time it took to wear so much unnecessary pieces of clothing. She patiently sat down when Emilia arrived with her box of make up, ready to slaver and pound the powders and creams on her face.

Her stomach would growl occasionally, and was ignored for the past three hours she spent getting pampered. The growling was a nice break from insistent squirming, the jitters of nerves that travelled all the way down her body would stop, for a mere moment before continuing.

She wanted the time she spent getting ready to be as long as possible, but of course, soon Emilia shut her box with an excited smile. The bottles and jars, where now packed away, tidy and neat, allowing for Alexis to head to the mirror so she could marvel at the master piece they made.

She hesitated, fear gripping her heart. Not an her appearance, but at the end of her procrastination. With a gust of fake courage she walked the mirror.

Her eyes met with a girl who looked to be from a princess fairy tale, except her face looked so worried and concerned that she couldn't marvel at the beautiful girl she saw. A tiara, held by graceful fingers, lowered onto her head, with clear jewels that further enhanced the glow of her silvery dress.

It looked she was getting married. She wasn't. But that nervous expression and glittered appearance was enough to fool anybody.

"Perfect", Emilia smiled, grasping Alexis' shoulders in excitement, "My pla- I mean you look absolutely beautiful!" She was trying reassure the nervous girl who just nodded meekly in return.

"Thank you for all the help", she said to Delila, Emilia and her dwarves who were doing odd jobs making sure things were all in place.

"There's no need to thank us, this is our line of work", was all Delila said.

Alexis nodded at the words, absent to all but her own turmoil of thoughts that clattered on about so many different things.

"Now, let's head off to the ball. Everyone must've arrived, so you will have a magnificent entrance", Emilia chatted and then frowned, "you need to smile Alexis. Those nobles will pick up on any emotion where possible", she pinched the silent girls cheeks.

"Ow. Sorry, I'm… nervous I guess" she rubbed her cheeks gently, hoping to not smudge the powders on her cheek.

"That's natural, my dear, it's your first debut into the society. Just stay with Alastair and everything will go smoothly", she reassured the young girl, pushing her plans into place all the while.

They walked to the ballroom which was also the throne room. Alexis had waltz through there a few time, literally. With its high ceiling and drooping chandeliers, curtains so thick and lustrous giving way to tall windows that illuminated every corner of the room. But most of all, it was the throne that attracted her, perched high up, coated in solid gold, with the royal families emblem sparkling of it.

She had sat there a few times, pretending to be Alastair. It was fun in the beginning but, soon it became boring and even a bit lonely. Being so different, treated differently and ostracised due to such a status gap.

She imagined it'd be a pain.

Emilia grasped her hands, halting just before she entered with Alexis.

"I won't be able to enter beyond this door. It's a bit sad since I've left Tairy all alone, but I know you'll keep him company", she said, a solemn look on her downcast face.

Alexis frowned. It was blatant racism.

'I hope after all this, maybe the Kaedmen Empire can be more like Dai' she nodded to Emilia who stepped back into the shadows as Alexis marched proudly forward.

"The royal mage! Lady Alexis Dirt, has arrived!" The loud voice of the soldier announced.

The loud chattering voices mixed with the sound of classical music became silent all too suddenly as they gasped at the beautiful fairy that elegantly descended the steps to the ball. A confident smile laced across her face and she didn't once look away from the crowd.

'So many…' Alexis thought shakily at the people who stared at her in wonder. She wanted to tell the musicians to play once again but first she had go by Alastair.

She looked up at his high figure, perched atop the frightful throne. His face as cold as ice, an expression she hadn't seen in a long while. She realised he was containing himself, keeping every frown and smile to his mind, but never on his face.

The crowd of nobles held so many familiar faces, Alexis almost gawked.

She spotted Hector with his beautiful lilac hair, standing near Adam and the Crotina Heir, David. Then Wallace who seemed to have his hand on the shoulder of the silver haired girl from the Silver Dukedom. The Jewel Duke and Duchess who waved at her in familiarity, and their daughter who glared in contrast.

Then there was a gaze filled with so much animosity and disgust it was hard not to notice. The long haired man that sneered at her in disgust, Bentley man, or at least that was what she would call him.

'Ah… that's what Alastair meant when he said I'd see him soon' just as she thought that she met a pair of mystified eyes, that gazed at her through flushed cheeks.

She almost faltered when she realised who was giving her such a glossy eyes stare.

It was Dwayne. The Scumbag Prince.

She ignored him, and the heads of familiar green, blue and pink that surrounded him.

She looked at Alastair.

When she stared at him, it was as if time had stopped and the only thing that mattered was the two of them. She stopped before him.

"Happy Birthday, Alastair Fredrick Constantine of The Kaedmen Family. I wish you a long life and good tidings to come", she smiled at the man. Her stiff shoulders relaxed at bit as she received a smirk.

"Thank you, My royal Mage. My only wish is for you to stay to see the most of it", he replied.

'Ah- Eh? Alastair?' She felt regret grip her heart.

"Of course, your Majesty. I have also prepared you a gift", she said and fumbled for that invisible pouch she made. The only problem with it was that it was also weightless.

Thankfully, she found it before she decided to just drop everything and strip. Her hands grasped the item she searched for and like magic to the eyes of their audience who clapped at the sight of the golden rose she held in front of Alastair.

"It's a rose made of gold, but is as soft as a real rose and with a scent that steals the heart of any who catches a whiff of it", she pitched as if she was selling it as commodity. In all honestly, she had wanted something with more meaning and depth, and when Hector proposed this idea she was against it.

Until she learned it was downright impossible to make and nobody had actually ever made one.

It was special, holding a clear meaning.

'I'll achieve the impossible if it's for you'.

The crowd murmured in excitement at the sight they didn't believe existed.

"Thank you", Alastair spoke, softly and kindly. He reached for the rose, holding it with a vague expression.

As rehearsed, Alexis stood to his right.

The music played once again, and the dance floor moved.

Alastair sat, his eyes conveyed nothing and stared coldly at the people before him. The black suit he wore was perfectly fitted on him, matching his handsome looks.

Alexis was trying not to ogle the man.

'That suit! And him! Ohhh he looks so good!' She internally squealed, her exterior face passive.

She made eye contact with Alice who stood ostracised from the group of humans who danced joyfully with each other, throwing her snide stares. She nudged Alastair.

'I don't like this one bit, but she looks way too lonely to be a guest' she clenched her fist.

"Please dance with Lady Lovelace", she whispered. He finally turned his head.

"Let me decide who I want to dance with", he replied coldly, his eyes pierced into her so harshly she looked away.

"She's a guest, you should treat with hospitality" Alexis continued.

Alastair was quiet after hearing her words. He felt such irritating conflicting emotions that he decided to just dance with the lonely elf lady. Alexis stared after him, thinking he must've been so excited with how fast he strode towards Alice.

'But then again, she's so beautiful. Unlike me' she sullenly thought.