To Stay Or Leave

EVIE

"I can't believe that the Emperor himself has requested our presence at their Ball. He must have been really impressed," Joyce commented as she checked herself in the mirror.

'I know,' Evie's shoulders hung in defeat.

After the Emperor showed up at the library, he talked to her privately, giving her the conditions before he helped them make it back.

"If you become Edin's Hyouka for a year, I will open a portal for both of you."

Evie's hands flew to cover her ears unintentionally as she recalled the exact words of the Emperor.

She tried to argue with him that she was not Hyouka and she didn't belong here. It was kind of him to say that he was offering it as an option for her.

But it appeared like it was not just a choice because they couldn't find a way to go back by themselves, even with the King's help. It seemed like he also had limitations even in his authority, unlike the Emperor.

"Thank you for patiently waiting. The tutor has finally arrived. Please get yourselves ready, my ladies," the duchess' voice echoed through the room they were in.

It was a large space that was probably meant for small gatherings in the Palace. But now it will be used as a dance studio for the ladies who will be attending the ball.

As usual, the place is designed elegantly with ruby-colored velvet curtains draping every wall. Each pillar must probably be made from pure expensive stones.

There were also other Edinian noble young ladies present who started whispering excitedly as the dance tutor entered the room.

"I can't wait," Joyce whispered to her as she stood up from where they were sitting and bounced towards the odd instructor.

Like the Edinians in the library, she was also odd-looking. She appeared like a giraffe with her ridiculously long neck and extremities. She was wearing a normal dress. But underneath it was a skin-tone-like stocking with brown spots.

Joyce didn't seem to mind.

Evie gulped as she also stepped forward, since all the ladies in the room were drawing closer to her.

The tutor introduced herself in an elegant fashion and arranged the women to maximize the space throughout the enormous room.

Evie positioned herself farther at the back while Joyce was at the front, mingling with the other ladies whom she had just met for the first time.

'Do I really have to do this?' Evie grunted as she waved her hand in the air while watching the others do it in a more graceful way. She has no plans to attend the ball, anyway.

"Tilt your chin higher, young miss," the instructor lifted Evie's chin with a stick. "There, that's better."

'I don't see the point,' Evie continued to grumble inside her as she obeyed the instructor in a lax manner while her thoughts were still on what the Emperor said.

'It would be fun to stay in Edin for some time. But to be Hyouka? The destined queen of Edin? I would rather go back and live my screwed-up life. At least I am free and not tied to some destiny.'

'There must be another way where we can get back without the help of the Emperor,' Evie contemplated before the lady mentioned her again.

"You're not paying attention, my lady. You might be left after the class so you can do the steps perfectly," she was now glaring at her with an insincere smile. The other ladies who were beside her were now glancing her way.

Evie's eyes widened as she thought about herself staying in the room alone with the tutor until midnight.

With determination to leave the room as quickly as she can, her eyes narrowed at the tutor as she did the steps again from the start.

Her actions may not be as refined as the other ladies in the room. But if she puts her mind to it, she can memorize the steps better than them, which she did.

And because of that, she was able to leave the room at the same time as the other practicing ladies.

"Whew, that was fun," Joyce wiped her sticky neck as they walked along the hallways while Evie didn't even remove a single bead of sweat.

They were already nearing their Chamber. But Evie has no plans to rest. She was planning on combing the Palace and looking for a way out. But to their surprise, the duchess seemed to be waiting for them. She was at their door with her chambermaids.

"I would like to let you know the Emperor has already sent a word to all the nobles that both of you will be attending the ball. The Emperor also will be making a big announcement. So please be on your top self. That is all, my ladies. If you'll excuse me," she quickly withdrew after she had delivered a piece of devastating news.

Evie's chin lowered to her chest. That means everyone will be expecting her to show up. And the announcement might be her being their Hyouka.

"I can't believe how gallant their Emperor was to us. I wish my dad would see me at the ball. He is fond of royal stuff, you know," Joyce babbled on as she gathered her clothes before taking a warm bath.

They were already inside their room, resting after three hours of nonstop dance class.

"He'll surely be thrilled with my stories when we get back – if we'll get back," she sighed as her head hung low. Then she added, "Do you think our families are looking for us by now?"

Evie nodded her head, even though her stomach hardened as she heard her question. "They would be looking for you."

'If my own father would be looking for me, I am sure it is not out of concern,' her teeth grinded.

Thoughts of her dilemma flew back to her mind. Will she just stay and be Hyouka so that her father could not find her anymore?

Or will she go back and run away from him where at least she is free to live the kind of life that she wants?

--------------------------------------

If your head tells you one thing and your heart tells you another, decide first whether you have a better head or a better heart.