"Just calm down Aderi, alright?" Lucas said as he looked at Aderi who was silent throughout the whole carriage ride.

"Are you sure people won't judge?" Aderi asked Lucas when the carriage stopped moving.

"They won't-- who would even dare?" Lucas answered smiling, suddenly the door was opened by the carriage opener for the guest at the palace. Lucas stepped out and offered Aderi his hand.

Lucas smiled and Aderi took one deep breath and took Lucas's hand. She went out of the carriage with no problem.

Lucas linked his arms with Aderi as they walked to the palace entrance.

"Who is the lady with marquess Stefan's son?"

"Who is that pretty lady in the blue dress?"

"Isn't that marquess Stefan's son? Who is that lady he is accompanying?"

"Doesn't she look like the late duchess Veronica Callista?"

Aderi looked down at the pressure of everyone looking at them and talking about her. Lucas noticed Aderi looked down.

"Chin up," Lucas whispered, Aderi quickly looks back up. Other nobles were lining up in a line so they can be announced 1 by 1. There were also many journalists.

"Do you know where my grandparents are?" Aderi whispered to Lucas. Lucas looked around.

"By the looks of it...they still haven't arrived, a lot of nobles are attending, after all, so the entrance is packed" Lucas answered. Aderi nodded.

"I hope I won't meet my father in the crowd," Aderi said chuckling. Lucas also chuckled and nodded agreeing.

"Good thing your stepmother is on a vacation" Lucas replied. Aderi nodded agreeing with what Lucas said.

"You all will be announced one by one...please line up nicely" the man who will be doing the announcing said. People quickly fixed their hair, clothes, and their postures.

"Lady Emily Louise Rosaline and Lord Daniel Mark Rosaline," the announcer said as he announced the first pair to go in. The two are the newlywed couple. The rosaline couple.

The announcer started calling everyone one by one in pairs.

"They were right after all...they all have escorts, some are their fathers or siblings," Aderi thought to herself as she looked around.

"Aderi were next" Lucas whispered to Aderi. Aderi gulped and fixed her posture.

"Lady Aderi Nova Callista and Lord Lucas Albert Stefan," the announcer announced as they walked inside. Everyone's eyes were on them.

"Calm down" Lucas whispered, Aderi gave a slight smile at everyone as they made their way down the stairs.

"No way! The rumors about the Callista's having a daughter or son are true!"

"She looks like the late duchess..."

"Why is she only attending now? She's now the most powerful young maiden"

"I thought the rumor about someone ordering a dress at the boutique with the name 'lady Callista' was false..."

"Isn't the marquess Stefan's son? What could be their relationship?"

"Aren't the Lacita and Stefan close?"

Aderi was uneasy since it was her first time in these kinds of things...even in her past life she never went to any parties, let alone a ball. And to make things worst, she was the talk of the nobles.

°

°

After all, the nobles were announced the party started, people were already chatting and drinking while everyone was waiting for the king and queen.

"You don't need to go start a conversation with the other nobles, so ease up a little," Lucas said as he leaned on the wall next to Aderi and started sipping his wine.

"Lucas is right dear...I and your grandfather will be going to talk to the other nobles, so excuse us" her grandmother said as they walked away, Aderi sighed.

"Do you want a glass?" Lucas turned to Aderi who was sitting on the couch next to him, Aderi shook her head.

"I may be at the age of drinking, but I will only be celebrating my debut next month on my 19th birthday...those who haven't celebrated their 18th birthday aren't allowed to drink" Aderi replied with a smile.

"Ah yeah...sorry, I got a little too excited there" Lucas chuckled.

"Hello, lady Callista!" A noble approached her, there were two girls one with blonde hair and one with red hair.

"Greetings... who am I have the opportunity to speak with?" Aderi answered with a smile as she stood up. She was nervous of course but tries to stay calm since confidence is the main thing they look at to determine if their opponent is weak or strong.

"I haven't seen you on any occasions yet...why is that? Is this your high society debut?" The one with blonde hair asked.

"Yes, indeed it's my high society debut, I didn't find the right time on making my high society debut before" Aderi answered confidently. Lucas was eyeing her and by her response, he looks proud.

"Oh? So that's why you are just attending now, is there a reason you think this is the right time?" The girl with red hair asked. Deep down Aderi knows what these girls want. They want dirt on the most powerful young maiden in the room. After all her family background is from the two dominating houses.

"The king ordered everyone to join the banquet, and also I think it is the time for me to join gatherings, especially since I've already passed my 18th birthday, before turning 19 next month I want to attend a ball or banquet" Aderi smiled at them, the girls were not happy with the answer Aderi gave. Why? Since Aderi was confident with her answer.

"So...is marquess Stefan's son your lover? If so, you're so unlucky...choosing someone who has lower status than you?" The blonde girl stated, and the two girls giggled looking at Lucas. Lucas didn't give a reaction and chose to ignore the rude comment toward him.

"No, he is not my lover. Our relationship with each other is simply friends, he is my dear friend for a long time now. And what if I indeed choose someone who has lower status than mine? We are all living humans, and treating someone harshly, or differently because of their status is simply obnoxious" Aderi replied with a smile, but her eyes say a different thing, it shows anger and hostility.

"You don't know anything yet lady Aderi huh? I mean it's very rare to see someone debut in high society late, especially a daughter of a high-ranking noble, and you are hanging out with a son of a marquess..." The blonde-haired girl said.

"Seems like you are the one who knows nothing...first of all, who permitted you to call me by my name. And second, you insulted not just the Callista but also the Lacita's. Third, who have you the right to judge someone by their title" Aderi asked with a glare. The girls were taken aback. The Aderi now may be a different one, but her villainess aura from the novel remains.

"Y-you-" the girl said raising her hand.

"Do you dare lay a hand on me...the daughter of Duke Callista and the former late Duchess Lacita Callista?" aderi asked raising one of her eyebrows, the girl stopped in her tracks.

"If we're talking about status...I can simply not talk to you, since after all I'm considered the most powerful young maiden here" Aderi said with a kind smile.

"Let's just go!" The girl with red hair said as she dragged the girl with blonde hair.

"I'm pretty impressed," Lucas said smiling.

"I just gave her a piece of my mind," Aderi said with a smile as she sat back down.

"I've never seen you use your status to overpower someone," Lucas said smiling.

"Sometimes...it can't be helped" Aderi gave him a small sad smile.

"I finally saw a side of you I've never seen before, you were quite scary there" Lucas smiled proudly, and Aderi looked down.

"I'm not saying it's bad...it's just that most of them think that they are respected due to their title," Lucas said explaining.

"Respect needs to be earned, it's not always about the titles we have" Aderi spoke as she looked at Lucas.

"I know that, I also think back then that titles were everything, my father taught me that, but since I met you, my point of view of others changed," Lucas said as he gently twirled the drink inside his wine glass. Aderi smiled as an answer.

"If I may please all have your attention!" One of the guards said, everyone, looked at him.

"I present to you, the king and queen, and his royal highness's-- Caelias Beau Keane and Ronan Christopher Keane," The guard said, the door to the top of the staircase opened. Reveals the king and queen that are standing with their arms linked.

Aderi stood up and everyone along with Aderi bowed at the appearance of the king and queen of skite. The king and queen move out of the way, revealing the two princes of the kingdom.

One was Aderi's assassin in the main storyline and the other is just some unknown side character in the original novel.

Caelias Beau Keane has white hair that represents the Keane bloodline and he has blue eyes like his mother. While Ronan Keane has white hair that also represents the Keane bloodline and he has pink eyes like his mother.

The king and queen along with the two princes came down the stairs when they reached the bottom everyone greeted them.

"Blessings to the sun and moon of the kingdom and their stars," everyone said, the queen smiled happily, indeed the rumors were true, and she has completely recovered.

"I would like to thank you all for celebrating this day with us, this party is for my wife that recovered recently, and of course my son Caelias's first appearance. Let the party begin!" The king said, suddenly the music started playing and everyone quickly went on the stage with their partners.

Aderi sat back down on the couch in the corner, and Lucas was leaning on the wall still sipping his wine.

"You wanna go dancing?" Lucas asked, Aderi shook her head.

"I'm not in the mood" Aderi replied. Lucas smiled.

"Suit yourself, I'm gonna go get another drink," Lucas said with a smile as he tilt his empty glass before walking away.

°

°

°

"Aderi...Aderi..." All that Caelias can think about was looking for the girl he longed for so long.

He was scanning the ballroom where people are dancing, it was crowded and the chance of seeing the one you were looking for is slim. Except when you find the right moment to get a glimpse of them.

"Has anyone caught your eye?" The king asked Ronan as he noticed Ronan was scanning the room.

"If you wanna go dance, go ahead," the queen said to Ronan, Ronan just nodded to the queen.

"How about you, Has anyone caught your eyes yet?" His father asked as he also noticed Caelias scanning the room.

"No, not yet father" Caelias smiled at his father.

"How about you Ronan? Has anyone caught your attention now to be your first dance partner?" The queen asked Ronan softly.

"Yes, your majesty" Ronan said as he turned in a direction.

"The girl with the pinkish hair is quite stunning despite sitting there," Ronan said, Caelias looked in that direction, then...someone moved out of the way and he saw the one he was looking for all this time.

Aderi Nova Callista

"Oh my...she is sure stunning" the queen praised also seeing the girl.

"I've never seen her in any gatherings before...but I know she is the daughter of the late duchess of the Callista," the king said.

"You know her?" Caelias asked. The king chuckled.

"Of course! His father and mother were our close friends. And your mother here is friends with the late duchess" the king said smiling.

"Now that I looked at her carefully...she looks like her mother" the queen commented, Caelias nodded. Suddenly Aderi is covered again amongst the crowd.

"I Didn't know that Duke Callista has a daughter, why didn't the duke introduce her early on?" Ronan asked.

"That is something I cannot answer, I just knew he has a daughter since the birth of their daughter was delivered by the imperial doctor" the king answered.

"I'm gonna go and ask her to dance," Ronan said standing up, Caelias did the same.

"I will get a drink," Caelias said as Ronan and Caelias left.

Caelias went in another direction to avoid being caught by Ronan who is also going after Aderi.

°

"Lucas is surely taking his time" Aderi stood up, then she saw Caelias and Ronan standing up and walking in her direction.

"Oh no..." Aderi said as she stood up, Caelias turned right and Aderi went left to avoid Caelias. Aderi wants to avoid Caelias at all cause.

Suddenly she bumped into someone again.

"My apologizes!" Aderi said as she looked up, she was met with blue eyes.

"Ah! The pretty lady I bumped into town a week ago!" The girl said the girl has black hair and blue eyes.

"Ah! The girl I bumped into the town, I'm sorry for that day and now! I was in a hurry" Aderi said apologizing.

"It's okay! No need to worry. My name is Ari Noelle Duncan, I'm the daughter of Baron Duncan, nice to meet you Lady Callista" the girl who introduced herself as Ari did a curtsy.

Aderi froze...she finally met the real female lead in the original novel.

"It's a pleasure to be your acquaintance," Aderi also did a curtsy, Ari smiled.

"The pleasure is all mine! Sorry to take much of your time, your precious time was wasted on a daughter of a baron like me" Ari said apologizing as she turned red out of embarrassment.

"Not at all! I consider you my friend Lady Duncan" Aderi said smiling, Ari was shocked. A daughter of a duchess and duke called her 'lady' and considers her a friend. She was always the subject of bullying by the other girls due to her having lower status than others. So for her, this was new.

"A-are you serious Lady Callista?" Ari asked shocked by the words of Aderi. Aderi chuckled and nodded.

"Call me Aderi," Aderi said smiling, Ari was shocked at the whole situation.

"Since I met the original female lead, I should maintain a good relationship with her, so that my execution doesn't happen" Aderi thought to herself.

"Please also call me just Ari!" Ari said blushing.

"Ahem" Aderi heard from behind, there she met the eyes of someone with blue eyes. This time it wasn't Ari's, it was from someone who she is trying to avoid.

"May I have this dance, Lady Callista?" Caelias asked, Aderi was stunned, she has been caught!

Everyone was looking at them and whispering. If she rejects, everyone would call her cruel and heartless for rejecting a dance from a prince who just debuted, so yes is the only option.

"Yes, y-you may..." Aderi said taking Caelias's hands, Caelias lead her to the dance floor.

The next music started and they started dancing. Their dance was harmonizing with each other's moves as if they practiced together before.

"Lady Callista received a dance invitation from prince Caelias!"

"Oh my...their clothes also match each other!"

"Don't you think they'll make a great couple?"

"Lady Callista, you have very nice hair color and eyes, it's very unique, you look stunning today Lady Callista," Caelias said with a smile.

"Thank you, your highness, for the kind compliment, you also look very stunning" Aderi thanked Caelias. Her compliment wasn't a lie. This prince's beauty was ethereal, he looks unreal.

"The ribbon in your hair...it looks pretty, where did you get it?" Caelias asked, Aderi looked down for a moment.

"It's a gift from a friend of mine" Aderi answered the prince as she remembered Cael all of the sudden.

"Where is this friend of yours, did he also attend?" Caelias asked, Aderi shook her head.

"That is something I also cannot answer myself," she said with a sad smile. The music then ended. The 3 minutes felt so fast.

"I had a great time Lady Aderi" Caelias whispered. As he walked away. Aderi was stunned since the prince called her by her name.

Even the Royal family isn't exempted from this rule.

The royal family is called by their name to avoid confusion between the members, but they must be addressed with 'your highness' or 'prince (their name)'

She then turned around and met the other prince, Ronan Keane.

"Good Evening, Lady Callista" Ronan greeted Aderi, Aderi did a curtsy.

"Good evening, your highness" Aderi greeted back.

"Care for a dance?" Ronan was straight to the point, Aderi thought for a little.

"Ronan isn't important in the original novel, so he is not a threat. Might as well" Aderi thought to herself. She then placed her hand on top of Ronan's hand which was in the air waiting for Aderi to accept his proposal.

Ronan was happy and excited, the girl whom he has eyes for accepted his offer to dance.

"I haven't seen you in any events, m'lady, is there a reason for that?" Ronan asked as they started to dance.

"Yes, indeed your highness" Aderi answered, everyone's eyes were on her and the oldest prince Ronan.

"Oh my...Prince Ronan also asked Lady Callista for a dance"

"The two princes asked her to dance!"

"Oh? May I know your reason m'lady?" Ronan asked as they continued to dance to the music.

"You'll be the first to know this that is outside of my family and close friends but, my father and stepmother aren't that nice to me," Aderi answered honestly as she followed it with a giggle.

"Is that so? How could they not treat you better?" Ronan asked, Aderi let out a little chuckle.

"That is-- I look like my mother, they despise how I look," Aderi said with a small sad smile.

"That's unfair...I assume your grandparents are taking care of you?" Ronan asked, Aderi nodded.

"Indeed, your highness" Aderi said with a smile.

"From your mother's side? Or father's side?" Ronan asked again.

"From my mother's side, your highness, I haven't even seen my grandparents from my father's side" Aderi chuckled again.

"It is indeed strange, in the novel they visited her after her debut in high society, but they haven't visited Aderi in this timeline yet" Aderi thought to herself

"What a horrible life you've lived--say why don't you-" Ronan was cut off when the music stopped, Aderi let go of Ronan's hands and did a curtsy.

"The music has ended your highness, thank you for asking me for a dance, farewell," Aderi said while doing the curtsy before walking away to find Lucas.

She went to where she was before and she saw Lucas leaning on the wall drinking.

"Why did you take so long?" Aderi asked Lucas, Lucas chuckled.

"I thought you didn't want to dance?" Lucas said teasing Aderi.

"I cannot refuse the prince, y'know," Aderi said whispering. Lucas giggled.

"Correction, two of the prince-- did our little Aderi fall for one of the princes? Or did one of them fall for you? What could it be?~" Lucas said as he continued teasing Aderi.

"Whatever...I'm going home" Aderi said.

"Why?" Lucas asked as Aderi started walking away.

"My feet already hurt and I feel tired, wearing a heavy gown and heels isn't fun," Aderi complained, Lucas put his empty wine glass down on the tray of a butler that was passing by and followed Aderi.

Aderi and Lucas went home leaving the party after informing her grandparents. That night Aderi stayed in the manor of the Lacita's. Lucas also stayed in the manor for the night.