Time flies, and it is the day the Duchess of Light becomes busier than ever. She even comes to Medea's manor for the official reason of bringing her engagement dress. Strangely enough, Aurora becomes determined to make Ares' dream come true as if she agreed to it in the first place. Medea doesn't know what to think or feel about it.
But why does she feels bitter looking at her like that?
In the end, Medea decided it was better to let this engagement be temporary for a while as she strengthened her position in the political world and got as many allies and nobles as possible on her side. Of course, she expects Hector to question it, but when she tells him her decision, he smiles and trusts her.
She tells Aurora about it but gets the opposite reaction as Hector. The blonde woman seems tense and questions it, leaving Medea that night in a rage. However, they are now where Aurora is busy preparing for her engagement. The Duchess of Light is so confusing. Never have Medea been so confused by someone like this before.
"Why is this woman so hard to understand?"
As too many eyes are looking at them, Aurora and her remain formal at each other. Some sarcastic remarks lie behind their words but go unnoticed by people.
"Duchess Medea, Duchess Natalie," the designer bows at both women who sit on the couch, who secretly wish for this to finish as soon as possible.
"Behold the greatest dress for your engagement ceremony," The designer claps enthusiastically as two men hold the mannequin inside and a woman holds the extended portion of the dress behind her.
The Duchesses turn their attention to the dress, which is unquestionably stunning due to its lovely off-shoulder design and gradient colour scheme comprising dark purple and blue in varying shades. In addition to that, it comes with long gloves. It brings out the gorgeous purple colour of Medea's eyes even more. It fits the definition perfectly; in this case, less is more.
"Please escort Her Grace to do the fitting," Natalie said as she gestured politely at Medea to follow the designer.
The others raise their brows at the gesture, feeling confused by the rumours circulating about their feud is opposite to what they experience now. While waiting for Medea to fit in the dress, Duchess Smith crosses her legs, reading a book to fill in the time. However, it is a habit she got from another world, while it is discourtesy for a lady in this world to cross their legs when sitting.
However, in Natalie's mind, who are they to determine discourtesy or not for a lady? Screw them all.
Someone coughs over multiple times to attract the blonde's attention, who is engrossed reading the book. Finally, the designer calls the Duchess in a low voice after a while. Natalie turns her head to see a stunning woman next to the designer while her hands close the book.
The very sight causes her chest to tighten, and she finds it difficult to speak. She is helpless to do anything but gaze at the woman, who is graceful in her dress. Medea has the power to make even Aphrodite or Venus feel insecure about her own beauty. The blonde woman gulps, forgetting about the people around her and Medea.
A thought hits her as the designer breaks Natalie from her trance.
"What do you think, Your Grace?" the question somehow triggers Natalie about it, as she imagines how beautiful Medea is that day, just to be beside Ares and his arms.
However, rather than that, Natalie could imagine Medea is unhappy about it. And somehow, that thought aches her heart more rather than her jealousy. If she could only do something now.
"It looks-- It looks fine," she ransacks her brain to avoid the word 'beautiful' in front of them.
Did I just stutter?
The fashion designer giggles as she squeals around and touches Medea's hand while smiling at it. She casts a hopeful glance at Medea as she waits for the other Duchess to share her thoughts on the matter. She is eager to hear what she has to say. It makes no difference if Duchess Smith likes it; what is essential is that she knows who wears it.
"What does she wants me to say?" Medea tries to figure out what the designer wants from her.
She catches the meaning in no time as she dryly says, "It looks lovely."
The other is oblivious about it, as they cheer each other over the design when the Duchesses like it.
"It will also be accompanied by jewellery, right on that day?" Duchess Smith asks, the other still squealing answer 'yes' to her.
The Duchess of Light nods over the answer as she accidentally meets with the amethyst eyes. The ruby eyes keep the gaze before avoiding it and stand up to wrap up the day.
"You can't be her weakness, Natalie. Remember that," Duchess Smith reminds herself, keeping the mantra over her head.
Natalie then proceeds to ask another thing, "Please make sure Duchess Medea's dress and Prince Ares' suit for the banquet will be sent earlier soon."
"Yes, Your Grace," the designer and her subordinates bow at her.
While Duchess Smith is waiting for Medea to change again, she inspects the dress and a few documents about it. Duchess Smith immediately leaves the room as soon as she has finished, preventing Medea from having the opportunity to question her further. However, Medea can outrun her much more quickly.
"Can you give us a moment to be alone?" the Duchess asks, as the amethyst eyes burn a hole in the other's heads.
They got eerie from the gaze alone and quickly excused themselves, leaving Natalie and her alone in the room.
"I know that look, Aurora. Whatever you think you are doing, you better stop it now," Medea warns with a venomous tone.
"I am preparing your engagement ceremony," the blonde woman presses her voice at that words alone.
"I am not a fool enough. You are more capable of orchestrating something," Medea suspiciously looks at her.
"Then, if I am capable of doing so, why don't you let me do it?" the blonde woman challenges her.
"You know that reasons, Aurora. We can't undo it, but we can improve it," Duchess Valimos is getting frustrated over the woman's action.
"By improving it? You know damn well that you will be under Ares forever if you accept the engagement and marriage arranged by the absolute Imperial power. But, of course, you'll get out of it eventually. At what cost? People's lives? Your misery again? You had enough in the past, but now you're going to follow every one of his whims? Tell me," the Duchess of Light suddenly rambles over about it.
Although Medea is aware of this in some way, she has an optimistic perspective on the situation. She despises feeling hopeless, but she has made a solemn vow to turn everything that has been dealt to her in this life around. However, something about Aurora has changed since that night, and she can't pinpoint what. The woman reverts to her former self, becoming equally hostile, icy, and obstinate as she once was.
"Why are you acting like this?" Medea asks the unexpected question.
"She is so confusing."
"For the sake of everyone and yourself. You don't deserve to be treated like that. You, Medea Andreas Valimos, are more than someone's property to be used in such abusive power. You are born to be someone great like Hera, Hector, Eryx, and I believe," Natalie finishes, approaching Medea and squeezing her shoulder before leaving Duchess Valimos.
"Because I love you. I can't let you in misery anymore."
Natalie sighs at that conversation, letting her feet return to the carriage as Medea's butler escorts her.
The Banquet Night before the Engagement
Like the Spring Banquet a few months ago, tonight will be merrier than that. The nobles and representatives from another nation swarm the entrance door to enter the Banquet Night before tomorrow's engagement ceremony. There will be two banquets to be held on consecutive days.
The decorations are adorned with sophisticated accessories, and the Imperial Knights have changed into special garb for the occasion. The banquet hall and the walkway are decorated with violet tulips as opposed to the traditional red roses. A representation of the monarchy. The Duchess of Light chooses not to use red roses because doing so would ultimately be detrimental to the wedding event. Putting red roses in a vase will is an early example of a cliche.
Duchess Smith also noticed new faces she had never met before, but she couldn't care less at that time. She has a mission tonight that cannot be failed at all costs. As she turns around, she finds the silver-haired man and meets with the purple eyes; the two nod discreetly at the moment before proceeding to enter the banquet separately.
Lord Apollo notices their discreet gesture as the ruby eyes turn on him, nodding at him.
"Introducing the Duchess of Light, from the House of Smith, Duchess Natalie Wilson Smith," the Imperial Knight announce her appearance at the banquet.
Many eyes stuck on her; some laughed, some mocking her for being on the appearance alone. Her asymmetrical black dress that really different style from the era, wearing black high heels, radiating a mysterious vibe around her. Her golden hair flows perfectly with every her walk. It is not out of the ordinary for her to wear black since she always wears black clothes.
"To think she wears a such plain dress for this engagement ceremony, isn't it peculiar?"
"She is really thick-skin about this."
"His Majesty chose Duchess Medea to be his daughter-in-law instead of her."
"Does that mean the House of Valimos getting stronger than the House of Smith now?"
Many more insults come from them, as Natalie could calm her nerves to not blow up. She should be more focused rather than listening to these hyenas. But, unfortunately, that's where they belong, beneath her feet. They can only have a bad talk about her but cannot destroy her.
"It doesn't take even two months since Hera is gone, and now they act like she doesn't even exist. Those cruel, greedy people can only think about their benefits only,"
"Those people," Apollo curses under his breath, standing beside Natalie.
The blonde woman chuckles but whispers something to Apollo, causing them to laugh for a while. Then, Lord Apollo excuses himself, wanting to go somewhere else. But, before Apollo could leave, Lady Esmeralda moved on to the Duchess. She has been eyeing her since that stupid meeting but cannot due to Lady Athena.
"Are you alone, Your Grace?" the woman starts a conversation with the Duchess.
Before Natalie could reply to that, the announcer began his announcement for the arrival of the 'couple' who is about to be engaged tomorrow.
"Now, it is the stars of the banquet night, Prince Ares James Angelos with his partner, Duchess Medea Andreas Valimos," the other stops in their track, looking up at where Medea and Ares stand.
"Must he use it with his partner? He could just use her name immediately as if to show Medea belongs to him in front of everyone," Natalie thought.
The ruby eyes also search for another figure, Emperor Atticus, who is nowhere to be seen. He is absent again today. From what she heard, the Emperor can't get up anymore, but here is his son, branding and showing off his 'partner' in front of everyone in this lavish event.
"Greetings to the future suns of the Empire," the audience bows slightly to respect both.
"Look at them; they are so beautiful together!"
"I can't believe that they are back together again."
"Their children must be astonishing."
The Duchess of Light hides her chuckle at such accusations, they are provoking her to cause an action, but she is not that kind of woman anymore. Now, unlike Hera and Eryx, she is not protecting anyone but her allies and loved ones. Thus, her actions will also affect any of them, including the men around the main event area tomorrow, Hector and Apollo.
"She looks beautiful tonight," the two women thought when meeting each other's eyes.
"Thank you for coming to my pre-engagement banquet tonight, especially from the other nations. I am glad you are willing to make time to attend this special banquet I hold dear to my fiancee and me. Hopefully, you will enjoy the banquet prepared by the Duchess of Light, Duchess Smith," all of the heads turn to the blonde woman, who is practically snorting and belittling her.
"It's my pleasure, Your Highness," Duchess Smith lets out a small smile while looking at the man, smiles jubilantly, wrapping his arm around Medea's waist.
"Let's see if you can keep the smile tomorrow," Natalie's smiles turn to an evil smirk.