The maids came in along with a female designer. They started measuring and making me wear sample dresses.

“What kind of dress are you making me?” I asked.

“That’ll remain a secret, Your Majesty.”

I looked suspiciously at the designer.

“Don't worry,” she laughed. “We will make sure it will be simple and breathable and suitable for the ball. Just like the lavish black nightwear we made with-”

“Ah!” I shrieked. “Then that's fine.” Yes, the spy clothes she made me was the best. So easy to move, light and breathable.

Dulaire took a step back. “Well, the fittings were alright so I guess we will do the finishing touches for the dress.”

I nodded while taking off the sample dress. “I see.”

“Well then,” Dulaire took the sample dress I handed her, “May Arlene give blessing with the work.”

“You too!” I called before they left the room.

Adonis came in.

“Surprisingly the weather became much better and the road seems stable now,” he reported.

I looked out the window. There were small puddles here and there but it should be fine.

“Shall we go then?” I asked,

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Although I was meant to help Lucian adjust to the sudden work as a Duke, I wasn’t much of a help. He would occasionally ask questions, but he seemed to be somewhat handling things well. The most things I did was overlook his new knights, choose new maids and throw out the unloyal ones and plan out the debutante ball and the coronation.

Normally if someone from the Lune duchy changes the heir they would go to the temple for purification or something, but this time he was way too busy, plus we’ll have the ball which will be tomorrow. They apparently do that to get Lune’s blessing but Lucian clearly already had his blessing. The proof was his dark blue eyes. I’ve been studying his eyes but they were really beautiful. Blue with maybe a tint of silver on the outer part.

And then after tomorrow… Will finally be my coronation.

Finally. I'll have to go to the HQ temple of Arlene and ask her to grant my wish, and then hopefully after that I’ll be able to die in peace.

“Your Majesty, it is time.” Adonis took his leave as the maids came in.

It was time to put on the surprise dress and go to the debutante ball.

They hustled over, carefully putting the dress on.

“What kind of hairstyle would you like, Your majesty?”

“Anything really.” I replied.

Finally I saw myself in the mirror.

The dress was a totally different thing that I imagined. I thought it would be the basic pack but no. The texture itself was different, very lightweight. The colour was white and it was a sleeveless dress. The end of this piece of fabric was attached to my ring finger. There was a small cape-ish on the back, where my back was left exposed. Sara put on a big golden ring by the middle of the dress. The other maids combed my hair and did it in a loose bun, and put on a small silver circlet. It had a small moon in the middle. This was a casual type of clothes you’ll normally wear when casually hunting or when you are at home, but the gold made it different. Also the fact that it had the puffy thing underneath the dress making it more volume-y than the casual ones.

“Is it to your liking?” Dulaire asked. “Our team has been told that you like casual and comfortable clothes so we decided to just go exactly with your words, adding gold, and silver as your small crown.”

“Um, thank you.” I wanted to tell her that it was very nice, the golden touches and the simplicity of it. Also I really liked the silver crown with the moon in the middle-

“The party gang is starting to get impatient, Your Majesty, as they await your entrance. The Young Duke is waiting for you as well. Oh and the Second Prince has just arrived.”

“I see.” I shifted the small crown on my head and walked out of the room.

Lucian was wearing something similar to mine. Casual, loose and comfortable. A white toga with a silverish blue He looked this way as he studied me.

“Your tastes are...” I noted.

“Well,” he dropped his gaze. “I like casual and comfortable. I don't like suits.”

‘Omg same! Dang I have a groupie!’ I wanted to say. But not in front of all the maids.

We linked arms and entered the ball from the very same place where we held the other ball few months ago. Except this one was more grander and the person escorting me was the new young duke.

The crowd applauded as they watched us step down the stairs.

“Her clothes-”

“Look at his eyes-”

“As beautiful as always-”

“Were the rumours true?”

I stopped in my tracks. What rumours?

Aeson came as he greeted me. Has he grown taller?

“I greet the Second Prince.”

“Congratulations on being a Duke, Lucian.” Aeson said, although judging by his tone it felt like he was mocking him.

“Well then,” I gestured to the chair where we should sit. “Shall we sit?” Aeson and I, leaving Lucian behind with the nobles and Adonis and Liam following us, sat on the throne-ish chair.

“How was your stay there?” Aeson’s tone felt warm and composed unlike the last time I saw him.

“It was fine. Relaxing I guess. Didn't have much to do.” I wondered if he missed me. Not that I cared. “By the way, were there any rumours circulating about me or Lucian?”

“Oh. Uh I’m rather surprised that you haven't heard. Since you were staying at his place everyone thought that you guys were together. And now since you guys came in together well, ” he shrugged, “I have no idea how things will go. Sorry, I should’ve told you beforehand.”

“No, it's fine.” I gazed at the ballroom. Lucian was surrounded by famous nobles, young ladies who were maybe trying to ask him for a dance.

There was Amira Choud, (Literally the only friend I know.) wearing a light purple dress. It was sort of puffy and formal. The other ladies were also wearing very formal dresses. Were my clothes okay? I felt like an odd one out. Then again, Aeson wore a somewhat matching outfit with me. It’s ok, I told myself.

Aeson gazed out at the crowd as well. I followed his gaze and saw him staring at Anna. Anna was talking with her friends or something. She wore a dark pink dress with a short beige coat on top. Wasn’t she warm enough? Well, it was getting chilly.

The thing we were wearing was quite different. The guys and I wore light clothes and the rest wore formal clothes which were pretty.

“Hey,” I tapped Aeson’s arm. “You just dropped your drool.” I teased.

He unconsciously wiped his mouth. “Stop kidding. I had my mouth closed the entire time.”

“Mmm.” I said I was a little disappointed. I leaned behind just enough to see Adonis’s arm.

“Don’t you want to go down and dance with a few people?” I asked.

Adonis’s face remained neutral. “I don't know. But if Your Majesty insists-”

“Look, I won't force you.” I quickly intervened. “It was only a suggestion.”

“What about Your Majesty?” he asked.

At first I wasn't quite sure what he meant, then I realized what he meant about my dance partner. I gazed at my partner waiting to be noticed. Our eyes met and I smiled. “Yes, although I’m only going to dance to one song.”