Chp.22: Replacement

Her father and mother arranged a grand event for her debut ball and invited everyone. Even the royal family of the empire. It wasn't just a birthday party, but the count had clear intentions of finding Rachel a groom.

All the guests and the ladies who invited her in the past as a child, were really afraid of what would happen in this ball. Her nature and personality were already rotten and moreover they wouldn't lift their fingers to complain since that would only spoil their relations with the count.

But this time everything was diffrent. The lady that walked down the grand stairs alone had a charm.

An elegance that everyone could clearly see reflecting from her walk. Her confidence.

Only a couple of people didn't attend her ball that year and they were Princess Claudia and her mother, empress dowager. The count was a little upset since he really wanted the empress dowager to attend. He even told this to the king as they were standing there beside the stair case when Regina went to have a chat with the ladies.

The king just laughed away the count's complain and then they moved on to talking about a new topic.

The only thing that remained as the highlight of that evening was, Lady Rachel looked as if she had changed. Not particularly changed but turned to a totally new person.

And people loved this new Rachel more. She was cool and above all the looked as if she was trained by a very top notch coach.

"You are ready for the drama sweetheart. " Her father whispered in her ears.

"Yes, count D'Azure. I will be taking your orders." The lady who represented Rachel whispered back to the count.

The count smiled at the lady and everything was set for that night.

Rachel was presented in front of the noble society in her finest form. She was just perfect - from her smile to her gestures and the way she just influenced everyone in that single night.

Rachel D'Azure that night was just like the high society wanted her to be like. All smiling and laughing along with their fake faces and political jokes. And Count D'Azure was satisfied.

Well the reason why Count D'Azure was more than happy and satisfied was because he had found someone as a perfect replacement.

-------

Regina, an assassin and someone who was skilled in the art of disguise was someone who came to the count as a last ray of hope.

He had always had a political standing in the Kuravos empire and he was very proud and closely aware of it. He always had eyes on the royal family. And thus he was very happy when he had a daughter.

But somewhere his calculations went wrong when he saw Rachel's behavior in all the social events. As she grew up she caused more and more chaos. And that's where things eventually became a problem.

So much so at some point he didn't even once hesitate to look for a substitute. Someone that could become a replacement for Rachel in all the formal events and most importantly in front of the royal family.

And so here was a replacement for her - Regina.

-----

Back in princess Claudia's room in the Central Palace.

Claudia was a little shocked when she did not get any kind of reaction from Rachel.

"Is she supposed to be this calm? Why isn't she even a little bit nervous? She didn't even flinch." Claudia thought trying to regain her composure.

"Leave it your majesty. I am excited to know how was your stay here yesterday?" Claudia asked.

"What kind of question is that princess?" Regina said as she scoffed and tried to supress her laugh. "What kind of extraordinary thing would happen at night while I am staying here that won't happen in the day?" Regina asked with a tinge of sarcasm in her words.

Regina picked up as biscuit and said, "Your highness, you make it seem like I won't have good relations with my husband by default. Why so?" She was serious.

Claudia was caught off guard by this question.

"No, Rache... I mean your majesty, that wasn't my intention. I was just..." Claudia couldn't seem to find the right words.

Regina gave her a calm smile and said, "It seems that you are having a hard time addressing the new queen it seems."

Claudia knew that something was wrong with Rachel D'Azure.

"I am not quite able to put my finger on it. But it seems like she has definitely been replaced by someone." Claudia thought as she observed Regina.

And as she was going to say something about it, an announcement was made.

The guards outside Claudia's room announced, "Please bow down. His majesty, the king has arrived."

By the time he completed his announcement, Duncan had already opened the door and dashed inside.

Both Regina and Claudia got up an bowed to Duncan. Gordon also came from behind him.

"Hey, D'Azure..." Duncan was already panting heavily.

"I pay my greeting to his majesty the sun of the empire." Claudia said knowing very well why Duncan must've come there or atleast she had her assumptions.

"I pay you greetings to his majesty the sun of the empire." Said Regina as she made her bow as well.

This was the second time both of them were seeing each other.

"She looks perfectly fine." Duncan thought to himself and let out a sigh of relief.

"Good afternoon Sir Gordon." Regina said giving him a bright smile. And immediately clicked to him that he is supposed to make a bow to both Claudia and Regina.

"I pay my greetings... " Gordon was saying but Regina interrupted him. "There is no need for that Sir Gordon. But I would love to know the reason why his majesty and yourself have decided to crash our tea time?" She asked with a confused look and smile.

"Ah ... um..",Gordon was already having a hard time since he was just dragged there by Duncan. So he kept looking at Duncan but to his surprise, Duncan had already calmed down.

"I would love to join you ladies for a tea." He was already settling down on the table.

"Hey..." Gordon's expressions screamed as he was having a hard time answering the queen's questions.