Chapter 4

Turning around to see Isadora, her eyes finally shifted away from the palace and moved towards me instead "Let's head inside, Isadora," I said, walking towards the entrance of the palace. With my head held high, I marched into the palace. Beside me were royals and the rich, dressed in their elegant gowns and suits. Even though I wore the same as them and are similar in status, I can't help but feel out of place.

Ah whatever, that is not important.

We entered the palace, and right away I took note of how beautiful it was inside. The way the lights glow made the place seem as if it was enchanted. The decorations with the flowers and curtain looked expensive, more than what most can wish to afford. I doubt the viscountess could afford this type of stuff, let alone this many. Every inch of this hallway, down to the carpet we walk on, was extravagant. As expected of the royal family.

Finally we reached the ballroom. I stood there, stunned and bewildered. The hall was large. The ceiling was high and a chandelier decorated with jewels and crystals hung. Everyone gathered, chatting with one another, their appearances regal and sophisticated. I took a look around, it really did feel off standing here right now.

Everything was a reflection of the kingdom of Cresia. Simply beautiful. It feels like a dream.

Ah, I'm really lucky things turned out this way aren't I? Who knew that I was going to be reincarnated into the world of my dreams. This fairytale-like place from the story I love most…

I shook my head, gripping my dress. Get it together, don't forget what happens later on. This may be a wonderful place, but I won't be here for long. I should try to live and enjoy life right now, so I don't waste this opportunity. There's so many things I want to do here in this story. Let's not waste any time.

Turning to Isadora, I gave her a small smile "You remember your promise right?" I ask "How do I look?" She paused for a moment. Her eyes scanned me up and down, her mouth opening to give me her answer "You look wonderful, my lady," Her tone was somewhat nervous. I don't blame her though, this environment is new to her. And me asking this so suddenly would come off as a bit weird. Ah, oh well. I got all the confidence I needed.

"I'll be going to look for someone, you can do whatever you want here Isadora," I said. A look of confusion was on her face, but I merely got a glimpse of it before I walked away. Sorry Isadora, I know it's your first time coming to this event, and you did say it was an honor to come to this ball with me. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I have other things I have to do.

Now, where's Lance?

I came to this specific ball just for him. 2 of the love interests will be making appearances in this ball, but Lance is the one I want to meet the most. He's here in this ball room somewhere. Though, this place is massive. Walking and stumbling around, I quickly search for the young man. It might take me a while, but I'll do whatever it takes to find him!

My eyes scanned the ball room for his strawberry blond hair. In such a crowded place, I can't make sense of anyone. I tried to recall other details that would make him easy to spot. Hm, what did he wear to the ball again? He wore a dark gray coat and white pants. Black dress shoes and minimal accessories for this particular ball. 

Once again, with the new information I had recalled, I began scanning the area. In the corner of my eyes, there stood a man with the exact outfit I remembered. I quickly snuck over, trying to get a better view of him. 

Strawberry blonde and blue eyes! That's Lance! It looks like he's having a conversation with some noblewomen. There was a smile on his face as he spoke. A kind, warm smile that was comforting. He looked happy to be chatting with the refined noblewomen. 

Crap… It'll be awkward to go up and talk to him now.

I look over at his face. A large smile on his face as he chatted. He just looked like he's having so much fun. He's a natural, talking without a care in the world. My heart raced at the thought of going up to him to chat. The idea of approaching someone who's leagues ahead of me makes my hands sweat. Still, I take my chance. This is a new life! I'll do what I want! I stepped forward and walked up to him. The sounds of my heels against the floor notified him of my approach. 

"Greetings, Lord Lance," I greeted, talking in the most confident tone I could muster. He turns full attention to me, looking away from the noblewomen. His brilliant hair shining from the lights as his eyes gaze over me. 

"Good evening, you must be Lady Violette Itzal," He spoke, his voice smooth. Smooth, but that's it. 

"My, you already know me? I don't think we've properly met, so I feel honored you know who I am."

"Why yes. I take pride in knowing all of the nobility of Cresia," He said, his smile small and faint.

"Goodness me! You are truly brilliant, Lord Lance! Not only are you incredibly handsome, but smart as well," I complimented "Your hair is beautiful, has anyone ever said that? I love your sense of fashion, your clothes look stunning! Oh! Your aquamarine pin looks gorgeous! Is that your regalia? It looks expensive, you have good taste!" 

I blabbered on, showering him in praise and compliments. A large smile on my face as I went on and on.

"I see…" He mutters. The look he gave me "I'm sorry, but I feel rather fatigued," His eyes looked away from me.

"A-ah, really?! Please, let me-!"

"No no, I'll be alright on my own," He lets out a sigh, turning his head. He spun the other way, and began walking from me and the noblewomen. The noblewomen tried to stop him, but he went past them without a second thought.

Fatigued? Was he feeling alright? The way he walked away like that makes me really worried.

The noblewomen turned to me, an irritated expression on their faces. I froze, studying their incredibly annoyed faces.

"What were you thinking?!" One of them said angrily. She wore an olive-colored dress with transparent sleeves, lots of jewelry but a lack of makeup. Her blonde hair was tied in low pigtails with olive ribbons. She looked to be a year or so younger than me.

"H-huh?" I stutter, "What do you mean by that?" I was confused by her frustration. Frankly, I felt a bit nervous because of her tone alone. This young noblewoman's blue eyes narrowed, glaring daggers at me.

The other one scoffed. She was a bit older than me, not by a lot though. Brown hair was tied neatly into a braided bun. Her elegant sleeveless blue and silver dress contraindicated the nasty look she was giving me. Her gray eyes staring at me like I'm some sort of insignificant piece of trash. "Hmph, Lady Violette Itzal. I do believe Lord Lance didn't enjoy the nonsense you were blabbering," Her voice was low, her tone full of venom. "Did you not see how you annoy him?"

Annoyed him? Me?

"W-what are you saying? I stuttered. The woman walks up to me, her frown vivid. "Honestly, I never realized you never you could speak so improperly. It sounded like wild birds screaming," Her tone was bitter, like vile medicine.

"And here I thought you upheld strict standards and class. How irritating," She scoffs.

"Let's go Lady Kamille," The blonde-haired girl said "Let's ignore her. We have to catch up with him!" They both spun their heels, turning their back towards me. I tried to reach for them, but they were out of my grasp. 

As they slowly walked away, I felt my heart sink. Did I really annoy him? Did I talk too much and came off as weird? There's no way I made such a horrible first impression. All the confidence I had mustered up went into flames. 

"Can't you see you're annoying us?"

My chest tightened, my eyes twitched.

Turning around, I had walked back the way I came from. Even the uncomfortable shoes I was wearing didn't concern me. So much was going on in my head that the pain went unnoticed. 

Am I an incompetent person?

The words of the noblewomen echoed in my head. I thought that since I'm this gorgeous young aristocrat I could have a chance to talk to someone like Lance. That I could get close with him now that things were different. Now that I live in this wonderful world, I should have been different from my old life.

I guess I'm still the same person as I was in my old world. Uninteresting, ordinary, boring. Unlike my sister, I was stale. I was not special.

Speaking of sisters, where's Isadora? Maybe I can talk to her for some advice or something. 

She's the protagonist after all, she should know. 

I looked around trying to find her. She was nowhere to be spotted. Great. Walking around the ballroom trying to find her was ineffective. My feet were sore, and guests obscured my view. In the novels, she was said to just be wandering around. That did not narrow my search down whatsoever.

At this point, I don't feel like bothering anymore. She could be off doing whatever. The enthusiasm I came here with was gone.

"You there, come here," I called out to a server who was holding a tray. He walked over, the round tray was full of glasses of wine. I grabbed 2, to the surprise of the server. Gulp 1 glass down in seconds, put that glass back onto the tray, and then walk away with the other glass in hand. God, I just felt miserable.

I slowly walked to the corner of the ballroom, my fingers tightening around my glass. Standing there in that corner, I felt irritated as all hell. The wine I gulped down didn't help me whatsoever. Hell, it probably made me more irritated. 

As I scanned the ballroom, I kept track of everyone and everything here. The brilliant light, the beautiful decoration, the sophisticated guests who attended. Even though I had such strong expectations, this was so different. Too different. 

I had entered the palace with aching feet. I had drank wine so informally in front of a servant. I had made a fool of myself in front of some noblewomen. I had made a fool of myself in front of the man I had wished to meet. I had looked forward to this event for the whole week, and here I am. Violette's sister was nowhere in sight, and I stood in a lonely corner of the royal palace. I felt out of place. It was as if I was better off being the same background character that was in my novels. If I had played the role of Violette Itzal. Let others take the spotlight and hide out in my room. In my lonesome, and in the shadows of someone else. Looking down at the ground, I felt any happiness I had the days prior left me.

I just want to go home.

"His majesty the Emperor and his family shall now make their entrance!" A servant shouted. As every other guest in the room started to bow, the despair I had moments ago was replaced with curiosity. Like everyone else, I took my bow. Though I still held onto my glass. Taking a peek up, I tried to get a glance of the royal family.

Helix Amaris, the Emperor of Cresia, walked down the hall with Levana Amaris, the Empress and his wife. They both walked hand in hand, followed by their children. Nova Amaris, the young princess and the birthday girl shines brilliantly. Her beauty was indescribable. Behind her was her older brother. The main lead of my novel, Oberon Amaris. No amount of treasure, paintings, and tapestry in the world could match his beauty. 

The white hair the father and his children had shines like glitter. Their skin was fair and flawless, like fresh snow on the first morning of winter. The Empress herself stood out amongst the 4, as she was the only one with golden hair. Yet her beauty was indescribable like the rest of them. It was like the gods themselves sculpted every single member of the royal family. 

Their presence caused many in the ballroom to whisper. They gossiped about many things. The beauty, the brilliance, and the elegance of the royal family. However, what I heard most about was about the person who walked beside Oberon.

The person was a woman. She wore a dark red dress, tailored so perfectly to compliment her and her tall figure. She wore minimal, yet expensive jewelry. On her right middle finger was a flashy fire ruby ring. Her regalia. On the other hand, a moonstone ring on her ring finger. Her skin was pale, flawless and fair. Her red hair resembled a raging fire. The length of it was short, reaching only about halfway down her neck. The colors of her eyes were pink. So vibrant, they reminded me of a flower that only blooms in spring. Walking arms in arms, her and the prince made their way behind the princess.

For a moment, I was so stunned I couldn't recall who this person was. Her beauty rivaled the royal family. She left my mind scrambling for answers that I almost forgot about my glass.

"So it's true then! The prince has a lover!" Someone from the crowd said. That's when it hits me. I know who exactly that is, and it's the person I wanted to see less.

The villainess, Duchess Marian Xipil.