"The Sapphire Duchy will be hosting a banquet two days from now. I suggest that you both attend it." The duke said firmly with a bright smile.
Alexander also paused for a moment before nodding. "Rumors are already spreading that sister's is not well in health, which will cause us further complications. If we engage in a public event, it will seem as the rumors were false."
*Yeah.. And people already know how protective Duke Dandelion is of his daughter. And if he lets her go to the Sapphire Dukedom's banquet, it'll definitely be enough to prove the rumors wrong.*
The duke smiled at Alex and complimented. "Bright as always." The duke looked at me with expectant eyes, waiting for my opinion.
I sighed at them. "Father, brother. I don't think it's necessary that I'm there-"
The duke looked at me with a soft gaze. "It is, my decision is final, my dear. This is for the duchy and most importantly, this is for you."
Alex nodded as an agreement to the duke's statement.
"Yes, father... But isn't there too much people-"
"-I'll make sure to have 10 of my trusted knights to be with you and Alex." He cut me off immediately.
My eyes widen for a fraction before I school my emotions. "That's too much, Father. Know that I'm just your ONLY daughter, but not a FIVE year old." I said with complaint visible in my eyes.
The duke laughed, "Having amnesia gave you a sense of humor."
*Sigh, he's laughing it off. Cunning as a politician.*
"Father. 10 knights are too much. And too much is suspicious." Alex reasoned logically.
"Then I'll let a trusted individual tag along with you both, she's more than enough but not too much." The duke decided after contemplating.
I nod immediately.
"Father, may I shop for dresses then?" I asked softly.
*Alexandria's wardrobe was way scandalous than I thought I wrote. Geesh. There's not a decent dress there. The one's I'm wearing was specifically sewed up by Lina.*
The duke smiled brightly. "No, we'll bring the designer here. You're not going out."
I sighed and nodded as a sign of agreement.
~After dinner~
Alex went to the duke's study to discuss business. And Astrid accompanied me back to my room.
The moment Astrid opened my bedroom door, I immediately threw myself on the bed and burried my face on the pillow.
Astrid chuckled softly and tucked me in gently. She brushed a few stray strands of my hair away from my face before bowing and leaving the room.
I rolled over and lied down on my side then propped my head with my hand, looking sideways towards the window.
*I'm going to see the heroine huh...*
"It's Hail we're talking about so the other male leads will probably be there... Sapphire's Dukedom is influencial after all. Even the crown prince is gonna come..." I mumbled.
*Let's see... In that banquet, I'll see all three male leads and the female lead. So... Hail Sapphire and then Luke Graham, the famous and powerful successor. Alexander Dandelion, my brother and captain of Royal knights. Lastly, Caleb Raycroft, the crown prince.*
"And they all hate me 'cept Alex... I'll be damned... Even Blaze will be there..." I mumbled again.
*Eh, it'll be fine... If you die, you die.*
I shrugged and tossed and turned until I fell asleep.
~Two days later~
Lina and Astrid waked me up early in the morning to prepare for the banquet.
"Uh?.. but the banquet isn't till... three hours later." I said drowsily.
Lina placed her hands on my shoulder with a determined look. "Which is exactly why we need to get ready right away, my lady. Three hours isn't even enough time to prepare.
My eyes widen slightly. "Three hours isn't enough? You guys don't need to exaggerate..-"
"Absolutely not, my lady. We need to make sure you're the most beautiful there." Astrid said firmly.
I chuckled nervously as I saw their sparkling eyes.
~Exactly two hours and thirty minutes~
I was dressed in a purple dress that complimented my eyes and my hair was styled beautifully as well. My face brighter with the light make up. I'm wearing pearl earrings and a smaller pearl necklace. Creating an elegant and beautiful output.
As Astrid opened the door, I saw Alex waiting for me beside the carriage that we will be traveling with. And the duke stood next to Alex in order to see us leave.
Alex turned his head to my way as I walked towards them. The horseman froze when he glanced at me.
The duke followed Alex's eyes and turned my way. He smiled warmly at me with adoration in his gaze. "My beautiful daughter. It feels just yesterday that you were running around the halls with your tiny feet."
"Father, you sound like the head maid." I said jokingly.
The duke laughed amusingly. "Comparing me to an old lady, how cruel." He said with a fake hurt expression.
"You look beautiful, sister." Alex who was quite the whole time finally spoke.
"Thank you, brother. You look breathtaking." I complimented back.
*He was seriously breathtaking. I can't even count how many hearts he'll steal later. Tsk, tsk. I made him too handsome.*
Alex froze for a moment then nodded as a response and offered his hand to help me get in the carriage. I took his hand and got in. I sat down and glanced at Alex who still didn't get in because the duke talked to him.
The duke smiled at me as he catch my staring, then looked back at Alex. "Take care of your sister."
Alex nodded. "I will. Do not worry, father."
"Hm. Be safe, both of you." He smiled at Alex then at me and went back to the mansion.
Alex got in the carriage and sat across me. The carriage finally moved after a while.
I looked at Alex which was also looking at me.
"Stick to me the whole time, sister." He said sternly.
"Don't worry, I'll behave." I said casually and leaned back on my seat and looked out the window.
~After 20 minutes of life draining silence~
*Gah. We finally arrived... I thought I was going to die there. Unlike our daily walks, he was silent the whole time! Probably because he's going to meet the female lead so he's nervous?.. Anyway, crisis over. I can breathe now. Is what I would have said if the male lead's carriage didn't arrive at the same time as ours!*
"Young duke, what a coincidence. It is a pleasure to see you." Luke Graham greeted Alex with a charming smile. "You too, Ms. Dandelion." He said as he turned his gaze from my brother to me.
*Hah. His smile turned unnoticeably fake when his gaze landed on me. But still... If Alex was breathtaking, Luke was jaw dropping! And I'm not even kidding.*
"The pleasure is ours, Mr. Graham." Alex nodded as he glanced at me and then started walking towards the venue of the banquet.
*Yeah, he's kinda cold at Luke since they are love rivals after all. And he said "Stick to me, sister." When he's leaving me here!*
I glanced at Luke and then followed Alex and walked closely behind him. "Brother, is he someone I should avoid?"
*Say yes. Say yes. Say yes.*
"Yes" Alex said sternly while walking.
*Yes, now I can avoid that guy without getting suspicious.*
We arrived at the door and the guard standing on the side announced our presence. Everyone turned quiet for a moment and then the room that was once noisy got noisier. And people's gaze was ALMOST overwhelming.
*Almost*
Majority were glaring at me without a hint of restraint. And a lot of girls were glancing and giggling at Alex.
*Ps. very understandable.*
We entered the room and Alex's eyes immediately landed on a girl with pink wavy hair and innocent blue sapphire eyes that's wearing a white elegant dress with golden laces. He stopped in his tracks and froze like the world stopped and as if his breath was stolen. I followed his unwavering gaze and saw that girl.
*Alex's reaction was understandable. The lady he's looking at is the most beautiful one you'll ever see. Hail Sapphire... The female lead of "Dreadful love"... more beautiful than I could ever imagine. We finally meet, my female lead.*