#10: Preparations for Ball

We soon went back home. I was given a lot of holy water and disgusted/worry glances from my father. I mean 'her' father. He was scowling and worried. He was the only one who could pull off that so clearly.

He soon came toward me, sat beside me and held my hand.

"Recover quick, make so sure no scars. ", He said, in the most beautiful and clean murder of grammar.

He spoke as though he were talking for the first time. He trembled a bit. He too was worried for his daughter.

What about mine? Am I alive or dead? If I was dead in my world, are my parents and brother sad? If I was alive and in a coma.. are they sad? worried like how the marquis is for Elizabeth... at least did they visit me?

Somehow tears fell from my eyes. It was painful. It felt like my mind and heart knew. I didn't belong here, not even a bit. This body is not mine, this family is not mine, the attention I get is not mine, all like robots just acting out their part. The only friend I have is Hendrick..

Aren't all just characters of a book?

As I was immersed in my own thoughts and was crying, the Marquis was flustered as to what to do to make me stop crying.

Apparently he never consoled anyone and suddenly felt guilty about me crying.

"Umm.. you.. ah.. are you okay? ", He asked, mumbling a bit.

"Yes, I was just a bit tired. ",I lied .

Marquis must have felt I wanted to be alone for a while. He soon got up and left.

After he left, it was all a mess. The tiny bit of control was now gone and I began wailing out.

Crying actually felt good. After crying, I got up, the wound was healed up but there was still a throbbing sensation which was slightly painful... God... How did Elizabeth even get impaled and then continue her day to day life without fear...

I got up and sat beside the window.. A ball, the next phase, and I am still in chapter 1. The next 73 chapters.. How the hell am I going to even survive? ... I would be alive but.. the fact that Ian loses some ability at the end scares me. I didn't even read it properly, But I know, in the final battle, the villain tries to make Ian limbless and torture to death for fun.. but somehow Ian wins, with only some part of him hurt for life, was it the hand?... I should ask that author..

***the next day***

From now on, I need to be the perfect Elizabeth ever . I was given a revision of the etiquette here, it wasn't that hard to learn, The ball was in a week and everything was prepared. The ball was also a warzone, just without weapons, but their words as sharp as one. My father(I mean.. Elizabeth's father) was of the imperial faction, supporting the Royalty, whereas the one trying to assassinate me was from the noble faction, led by the Duke of Garner.

The other faction, the neutral faction was led by the Sebastian Marquisate, they were just a bunch of cold people who rarely involved in policy making fights, but would only fight for themselves, they are nicknamed as the 'Selfish ones'. Since the ladies of this faction would never leave home, the secrets behind them was a mystery.

But still, It was going to be a mess, I must first greet the duchess Stacy, the leader of our faction. But if I am in front of other high ranked noble or the Royalty, they are first.

After that, the noble faction, after that the great quest given to me by the author, at times like this, i regret having to have skipped the pages of the novel..

The next day, the dress assigned for me arrived, it was a dark blue dress, with silver roses embroidered on its skirt and awesome starlike design, perfect with a star necklace. It was the kind, actresses would wear at galas and movie premiers. The dress and all was perfect.

I tried it on, and loved it. The dress emphasized her curves perfectly, it wasn't loose nor tight, but perfect. I can't even begin to describe it.. This world apparently has the best tailors, I don't even get a proper sweatshirt or jeans back home. The maids helped me take it off, and I was given a massage. It was like heaven.

At night, I was waiting for Hendrick to come and visit me, but he didn't I kept on waiting, but no, I slept at last. And woke up to a shocking news in the morning.

"Miss! Miss!", The maid said.

"Hmm.. I didn't sleep yet, I want a bit more ...tim..e...", I mumbled.

"But Miss! Sir Sebastian has come to meet you!", she screamed at me.

"Sir who?",

"Sir Sebastian, the same noble knight at the tryout.". she said.

"Wait what??!", I woke up then,

"Yes, he has come and directly spoke with Marquis, but Sir Sebastian requested your presence,". she said freaking out a bit.

"What?? Shouldn't he inform of the visit beforehand?", I asked as the maids immediately began taking me to the bath and making me dressed up.

"Let's make it quick, and Miss we shall be applying a lot of make up in order to hide your identity.", They said, scrubbing me hands and puling my hair.

"Yes, fast is good, but rough, not much.", I said.

"We are very sorry,", They apologized.

After the great struggle, I looked at myself in the mirror, that girl standing there was awesome. Elizabeth was beautiful, but makeup, made her deadly gorgeous. I was soon taken to the meeting hall, where Lucas was sitting, he wore way too formal clothes and I am sure he took his time doing his hair as they were quite ruffled during the tryout, but here... it was classy.

"Greeting, Miss Elizabeth, I am Lucas Sebastian.", he said.

"Yes, Nice to meet you, Lord Sebastian.", I said.

"Lucas is fine.", he said

"Yes, Sir Lucas, I wonder why you have suddenly visited us?", I asked, though a bit rude.

"Yes, About that, I am sure you know that, my father, supports neither faction and is neutral."

"Yes."

"I would like to break apart from that. I would like to join your faction, the imperial faction.", He said

"Oh, I suppose its the Duchess of Camber, whom you should inform.", I said using the famous noble smile.

"I do know, but my joining of faction is slightly different.", he said showing a disgusted expression.

"Please Elaborate sir.", I said.

"Well, Miss Elizabeth Claire Ainsworth, I, Lucas Sebastian, sincerely request your hand in marriage. A proper marriage.", he said.