Chapter 15

"How would you like to style your hair young miss?"

Kelly was an all-around maid.

Whether it was sewing, cooking, hair styling, putting on make-up and choosing accessories, she was good at it.

She's like a professional lady in waiting.

"Ugh...don't style it."

"Oh I know! I'll just braid it as flower bun since I haven't done that a long time. Don't worry, it'll only take five minutes."

Her hand then flowed into my hair making me feel like I was getting a massage.

I closed my eyes since it felt really good.

"Done! Look at the mirror young miss."

I can't really picture how it looks like from the back, but I guess it looks good.

"Oh, how stupid of me. Of course you can't see it from the back. I'll get another mirror."

Kelly took a big mirror in order to reflect what my hair looks like from the back.

"Wow.."

My hair looked gorgeous.

It looked like a carnation in full bloom designed with colorful jewel beads.

"With this, the young miss will be the most beautiful one in the party."

"Thanks.....Let's get going Kelly."

We went out from the room and encountered Justin.

"My Lady. Where are you going?"

"To a tea party."

"I'll go with you."

"But the escort will stay outside the estate..is that alright with you?"

"It is my duty to protect you my lady. I'll wait for the lady no matter what happens."

"Alright. Let's go."

The three of us rode the carriage and arrived at the Cornwall's estate after twenty-five minutes.

At the Cornwall's estate

"The knight is not allowed. The maid can come with you." The guard stated.

I looked at Justin.

"I'll wait here my lady." He smiled.

I nodded at him.

"Let's head inside Kelly."

The door opened and the interior design of the mansion was fabulous.

Luxurious furnitures, customized ceilings, and exceptional walls.

A lady then walked towards us and curtsied.

'Here she comes....'

"Greetings, Lady Moriana. It's nice to meet you." She said.

'.....'

"It's also a pleasure to meet you Lady Sabrina." I curtsied.

'Look at her. Long hair with pink locks and amber eyes. Now this is what you call an innocent type of villainess.'

"Oh please, the pleasure is all mine." She grinned and her eyes were darting torches.

"....."

"Look at the time! Come with me, I'll lead you to the table. The other ladies are also present." She beckoned.

'Don't stray too far.' I cast a stare at Kelly.

'Yes young miss!' She replied with her eyes.

We started walking to where the other ladies were sitting at.

They were chatting, gossiping and laughing.

When we arrived at the table, they were silent.

"Okay ladies, this is Lady Moriana. Daughter of Marquis Allisson. Please treat her comfortably." Sabrina introduced me.

"Greetings to all of you." I curtsied.

When I curtsied, I heard whisperings.

'Seems like they can't shut their mouths eagerly.'

I then sat beside Sabrina.

While looking at the ladies who sat one by one, a familiar head caught my eye.

'Heroine!?'

We met each others' eyes and she smiled at me.

'Wait a minute... Is this the time where Moriana was bullied and the heroine helped her? What the hell! There's no way I'd accept being bullied.'

"Wow, you look so beautiful lady Moriana!" A lady said.

'I recognize her. Brown hair and brown eyes. She was one of Moriana's persecutor once the bullying starts. Hailey Delacroix, daughter of a count.'

"You look pretty beautiful yourself Lady Hailey." I cast my prettiest smile and my most flattering voice.

"O-oh, th-thank you Lady Moriana." She stuttered and blushed.

"I'm curious about something. Where were you when the banquet started Lady Richmond?" Sabrina asked straight to the heroine.

Now, all eyes were darted to the heroine.

'Huh? Now she's targeting the heroine?

Here comes the war of words....'

"Right, where were you at that night?"

"Maybe the dress she wore didn't fit the banquet?"

"Ah! I remember her father didn't attend because..."

"Oh right! Her mother was very-"

"Oh my goodness, I think I saw her mother and father-"

"Excuse me ladies." I said in a serious tone.

I stood up.

I looked at the heroine and she wore an expressionless face. My volcano was about to erupt and I spread a gloomy aura.

"Talking about a person behind their back is not good. But gossiping about a person when she's present right now is the worst. I don't think you can call yourself as an honored noble." I said.

"I once heard from someone that nobles are special creatures. But I think what I heard was wrong when I saw all of you cornering a lady of nobility. All of you lost my respect." I loudly said.

"Please think about your dignity and reflect about yourself. I'll excuse myself first. It wasn't a pleasure to meet all of you. Goodbye." I added.

I walked away from them and glanced back at the heroine.

Her eyes was filled with surprise and I smiled at her.

'Even I, was surprised at what I did earlier. Hahh....I think they see me as rude person right now.'

"Greetings, Lady Anna." A person said.

I faced the person who said that.

'Crap.'

"Greetings, Duke." I curtsied. "Why are you here?"

"I had some business with Duke Seymour. And, I saw you arguing with the ladies earlier."

"Apologies if you took it rudely however, I only did what I thought that seemed right." I said

He fell silent.

"If there is nothing else, I'll get going first. May Nirvana's blessing be upon you."

I left him and walked.

'...'

"Young miss!" Kelly called in a whispering voice.

"You were so awesome earlier! When you left them, they wore a face saying 'I think what the lady said was right' and it looked so funny I almost bursted out!" She babbled.

*chuckle* "Enough Kelly, let's go home now." I said.

"Yes! Young miss!"

We went out from the mansion and saw Justin waiting for us. The three of us then rode back home safely.

*****

"How are you Duke?" Duke Seymour asked.

"Fine. What happened this time?" I said.

"There are bandits in the East."

"Bandits?"

"Yes. They are not normal bandits though. They are ex-sorcerers who explored the world of dark magic. And now, they are scattering in the area robbing things which are not theirs."

"Hmm. I'll send my special division knights to you." I replied.

"Alright, I'll also provide some of my knights. I'll convey this matter to the emperor. You may go first."

I bowed and left.

While walking, I heard many voices. It was the voices of ladies.

'It seems like a party was held.'

I stood behind the wall and watched them.

Then there was this lady. Black hair and blue eyes.

She wore an expressionless face and sat there nonchalantly.

Until.....

'She' arrived.

Moriana Allisson.

I first saw her in the banquet.

Back to the banquet...

We bumped into each other and I thought that she intended it to happen. So I  interacted with her as if we were close.

When, she suddenly yawned.

Her eyes were closed and tears came out from her eyes making it look like diamonds. She looked sleepy.

She apologized as if she knew that what she did was what I hated.

I escorted her to a lounge and left her there.

'Strange.....her hands felt so fragile as if they were going to break once someone squeezes them'

Afer that incident, I never saw her again.

Present time.....

Right now, few ladies were ganging up the black haired lady.

When suddenly, Lady Moriana stood up and spoke what she wanted to say as if she was running out of patience.

She defended a lady.

I never encountered a lady who defended a lady who was bullied. And I never thought that it would be her.

Moriana Allisson.

Not a clingy person, not flirty, not scheming, a dignified lady who sticks to her principles.

'She's new.' I grinned in my mind.

*****