Chapter 7: The Mass

SOPHIA'S POV

Possession? Wait... Me? His possession?!

I didn't know why, but I could feel my cheeks suddenly burning. Hold on—wasn't it a bit too early for him to claim me as his? I paused and thought about it. Fine, I mean, why not? He's a hottie.

"Because she is my only sister."

I shot my head up so fast, faster than a lightning strike. What? Wait—sister? When I looked at him, the corner of his mouth curved into a smirk. It felt like a swarm of moths replaced the butterflies that had been fluttering in my stomach, and my world slowly collapsed into confusion.

Am I hearing things? Did I hear that right? His sister? Me and the Colonel? Brother and sister?

Two weeks later

"Young lady, might I respectfully request that you cease your constant fidgeting?" Lea said, clearly a bit annoyed, as I had been fidgeting non-stop. I almost laughed at how frustrated she looked.

"There. You're done," she said as she helped me finish getting dressed. "You are exquisite, young lady. Your skin is as fair and flawless as porcelain, no sign of any blemish, or freckles, your nose delicate and refined, and your lips! Oh my, it's naturally crimson. Your eyes, large and beguiling framed by long thick lashes, are truly captivating. I dare say, when the gentlemen lay eyes upon you at Mass later, they will be quite smitten."

I felt my ears almost stretch out from her praise, and I immediately turned to look at my reflection in the mirror. I nearly dropped my jaw when I gazed at my reflection. Aside from my almond-shaped eyes and long, black hair—clear indications of my Asian heritage—I now looked as though I belonged to them, blending in as one of their own.

My gown was a long, grey dress with floral designs, and my white top had lace sleeves. Wow. I literally look like one of those ladies in Bridgerton. Daphne who?

"This dress is too fancy. Isn't it a bit over the top?"

"For a member of a noble family and as the sister of the Duke, this attire is most certainly befitting."

Sister of the Duke... Right. I almost forgot about the reality of it all. It's been two weeks since I arrived at this place, and it's also been two weeks since the Duke—or the Colonel—told me to pretend as his sister who just returned from the country in the East. Lol. And for two weeks, I've been learning everything about this country and their era—from their food, their manners, their greetings, and even politics—until I feel like I've completely forgotten that I'm actually from Korea.

Well, it does make sense. As the Duke's sister, I need to be at least modest and presentable in front of others. And that guy... Who would have thought that the handsome, imposing, and cold man was such a high-ranking noble? Not only that, he's also a Colonel—the head of the Imperial Guards! Imagine? He holds a noble title while also being the highest-ranking member of the Imperial Guard? If that's not insane, I don't know what is.

I snapped back to reality as Lea started to style my hair.

"Your hair is incredibly soft, almost akin to that of a doll, with its vibrant hue that causes it to shimmer so brilliantly. I dare say, your hair is the softest and darkest I have ever seen among all the nobles I have encountered in my entire life." Lea commented with a smile as she combed my long hair.

"Girl, I told you, it's all L'Oréal Paris." Well, given the lack of advanced beauty products in this time, I wouldn't be surprised if my hair was the softest and most beautiful thing she'd ever touched.

"L'Oréal Paris?" she repeated.

I just chuckled lightly. She wouldn't understand, anyway. After waving it off, I sighed deeply.

"Young lady, I noticed that you've been sighing a lot, and you don't seem quite at ease..."

"How can I stay calm? It's crazy! Being called the Duke's sister—sister! And learning so many things I don't even understand, in a short period of time at that? It's really stressing me out!" I sighed again. "But what do you think? Why would the Duke want me to pretend to be his sister?"

"Apologies, young lady, while I wish I could provide an answer, I, too, am uncertain. But I am deeply grateful, for it is because of you that I now find myself employed here at the Duke's estate. Truly, it never once crossed my mind to work in such a place, let alone meet the Duke himself."

I was taken aback by her words. "What's so great about the Duke?"

Her eyes widened, and she quickly covered my mouth. "Young lady, you must never speak of the Colonel in such a manner. He is one of the greatest war heroes, having devoted his entire life to the Imperial family. He has triumphed in countless battles, and he carries royal blood! He is the king's nephew, and I have heard that the king holds his counsel in higher regard than that of the prince. You must never disrespect such a pivotal figure in our country."

Wow, where did that come from? With all the things Lea had just said, I stood there in shock. Well, that explained why everyone respected him. A war hero, royal blood—who wouldn't be afraid of someone with such achievements?

"Got it, Lea. Anyway, thank you for making me look pretty. You've been such a friend during my darkest days. I wish I could share a glass of soju with you." I winked at her.

"Soju? You speak many peculiar words, my dear. 'Tis best we prepare ourselves forthwith, lest we find ourselves tardy for the Mass." she said with a smile.

"Okay, let's go!"

"Hold up, young lady." She approached me and gently touched my head. I looked at the mirror to see what she'd done. A hairpin?

"There. It enhances the beauty of your long, black hair with that flower-shaped pin," she said with a grin.

It did look good. Lea truly had a sense of style.

"Thank you, Lea! Alright, I'm ready. Let's go!" I urged.

As we were heading downstairs, I couldn't help but think about the Duke. Would I see him today? It's been two weeks since the incident, and I haven't seen his handsome face since then. He's always been this busy and didn't even bother to check on me?

Wait - what if he's waiting downstairs, and as I walk down, our eyes meet and he's stunned by my beauty, realizing he shouldn't have called me his sister, but perhaps his wife instead?

Oh my gosh! I'm crazy delusional.

When I was almost at the bottom of the stairs, my big smile faded into a frown. I had reached the ground floor, but there was no Duke to greet me.

"Where's the Duke, Lea?" I asked, confused.

"Oh, I forgot to mention. The Duke already left for the church, young lady."

Ugh! I was so excited for nothing. That Duke! After taking me in, feeding me, dressing me, he just abandons me? How rude! He's canceled—canceled!"

"If you have no further words, let us proceed, young lady," Lea said with a smile, motioning me to get in the carriage.

I was so frustrated, and honestly, I just followed Lea. The whole trip was full of irritation, and I couldn't help but let it show. After what felt like an eternity, we finally arrived at St. Helwig's Cathedral.

"Oh no, Young Lady, it appears we are late for Mass," Lea said, as a hint of concern in his voice when we arrived.

I quickly glanced at the closed church doors, trying to assess the situation. "Maybe we arrived too early, Lea? Could it be?"

"No, that is not possible," Lea replied with certainty. "The Mass commences precisely at nine o'clock in the morn."

I think for a moment. "Well, there's only one way to find out." I lift both of my sleeves and approach the door.

"Wait, Young Lady, what is it that you are doing? Why, pray tell, are you lifting your sleeves?" Lea asked as her eyes wide with panic.

I couldn't help but chuckle at how flustered she looked. "Come on, help me open the door."

"Ha?! No, it's simply unthinkable!" Lea exclaimed in near panic. "If the mass has already commenced and we were to open that door, it would be an utter breach of decorum! Such an embarrassment would be unbearable!"

"Well, what if there's no one inside yet? Then we'll have arrived early. Come on, Lea, help me! We'll open it together. I'll take the right side, you take the left."

"Young Lady, I beg your pardon, but I cannot allow it! The Duke is within, as well as the reverend, along with all the esteemed high-ranking officials, nobles, and aristocrats from the Duchy of Prush!"

"Lea!"

"Very well, I shall go at once! Just please, I implore you, do not be angered!" she said, reluctantly closing her eyes as if bracing for impact. I couldn't help but laugh at her overdramatic reaction.

What's she so afraid of? We're just opening the door. There's nothing to be embarrassed about.

"On the count of three, we'll push, okay?"

"All right then!" Lea replied, still squeezing her eyes shut.

"One, two, three!" We pushed the door open, and as soon as we did, every single person in the cathedral turned to look at us.

"Ohhh..." I gasped.

I felt the ground beneath me threaten to swallow me whole when I saw how packed the church was. It was like walking into a stadium, and everyone's eyes were locked onto us.

"Lea, you didn't tell me this cathedral is as huge as the Seoul Olympic Stadium!" I whispered in disbelief.

"Young Lady, this is so embarrassing." Lea mumbled, her head still down and her eyes squeezed shut.

"Lea, have confidence!" I blurted out, but I felt like I wanted to sink 10 feet below the floor and disappear, especially with everyone staring at us. Still, I forced a smile, trying to act like nothing was wrong. Well, who cares? Just walk, Sophia. Keep going!

As I walked, I could still feel the weight of the stares. I wanted to turn back, but I knew that would make it worse. I kept walking, my heart pounding, when suddenly my sandal got caught in my gown.

"Shit! No, no, no! Ahhh!" I gasped as I stumbled. Before I could even register what happened, I was on the ground. "Ow! That hurts!" I winced, clutching my waist. I could still hear the gasps of people around me, and as I looked up, I noticed that they were all staring at me. I quickly hid my face behind my lace fan, desperate to shield myself from the embarrassment.

"Young Lady, are you alright?" Lea asked, her voice filled with concern.

"Shocks! Are they all staring at me?" I asked while my face buried in the lace fan as I'm still kissing the floor.

Lea cautiously lifted her head to peek at the crowd. "Yes, Young Lady. Even the reverend appears displeased. This is truly embarrassing."

"And the Duke?" I asked, dreading the answer.

"Oh my, Young Lady, I can no longer bring myself to look up. This is far too embarrassing," she said, cringing.

"I'll peek then," I said, lowering my fan slightly to glance around. But as soon as I saw the whole room still looking at me, I quickly raised the fan again. This is insane! Why are they still staring? I thought. I wish I could just disappear into thin air.

"Young Lady, please rise. You are attracting far too much attention by lying there." Lea said, her voice trembling with embarrassment.

I quickly got to my feet, folded my lace fan, and stood tall, trying to ignore the eyes still on me. I had to keep going, but it was hard to shake the feeling of humiliation.

"Qu'est-ce que c'est que cette indécence, Mademoiselle ?" ["What is this indecency, Young Lady?"] I heard from a voice in the front.

I froze as I turned to see the reverend glaring at me from the altar.

What? What did he say?

"Lea, what did he say?" I asked Lea in confusion.

"I am uncertain, Young Lady. My knowledge of French is indeed limited. In the circles of high society, the aristocracy and nobles oft converse in both German and French, and the reverend appears to favor the latter." she said apologetically.

What? If not German, do they speak French? As if I'm not already struggling with their deep, almost drowning English. My gosh.

"I guess, he's telling me to sit down? Right?" I thought, assuming it was something along those lines, so I started walking toward a seat, but just then, something flew toward me.

"What the—?" I exclaimed as I looked up to see a cup soaring through the air toward me. Did he just try to hit me with that? So rude!

"Hey, Baldy! That's rude! No wonder your hair is falling out, you bad weed!" I shouted, my anger flaring. But as soon as I saw him start walking toward me, my confidence faltered.

What is he going to do?

"Non éduqué ! Impoli!" ["Uneducated! Rude!"] he muttered, his face twisted with fury.

I quickly raised my hand to shield myself just as he reached for me.

"Nous sommes dans une maison de culte, Révérend." ["We are in a house of worship, Reverend Thomas."]

Just then, I heard a familiar voice—deep and commanding. I looked up, and my eyes widened as I saw someone familiar standing in front of me, holding the reverend by the arm.

Duke?