The Dukedomn was alive with the sound of people busily going about their tasks - a maid rushing with a tray of dishes, others meticulously arranging curtains. At the same time, the male servants were engrossed in decorating the ballroom. The dessert and fine wine on the buffet table were a treat for the senses, while the sweet fragrance of flowers hung in the air. The Dragun Dukedomn was brimming with life on this day of the banquet, with everyone diligently putting the final touches to their preparations like busy bees.
Fuck! It hurts like hell. My bones are going to break. I cursed in my heart as the maids tied the corset, pulling the strings hard. It's hard to breathe!
The morning of the big event, I was rudely awoken at dawn to prepare for my starring role. However, I was still groggy with sleep and my stomach was growling with hunger. Despite my pleas, my handlers refused to give me anything to eat, except for a bowl of soup and a sandwich for breakfast. I was left feeling famished and weak, with tears welling up in my eyes.
As I begged for food, one of the maids tried to calm me down with her words. She explained that if I ate too much, my dress wouldn't fit, and I needed to look my best for the event. Her eyes revealed a fierce determination to succeed, as if there was a competition being held. I couldn't help but wonder if my well-being was truly a priority for those around me, or if the event itself was more important.
As my stomach grumbled with hunger, I couldn't help but think that if I didn't eat soon, I'd be able to shine like a star in the sky. I clenched my teeth and furrowed my brow in frustration as I turned to Miya for help. However, to my dismay, she heartlessly rejected my plea for assistance.
After the corset was done, they put crinoline on me. They were good to see in pictures, but in reality, they are torture. How can one move in these things?
I was thrilled to find the dress I had ordered waiting for me in my room, elegantly displayed on a mannequin. Wow! She is the best. All I did was show some design, and she gave it meaning. This dress is so stunning.
The alterations made were minimal, but the quality of the material used was exceptional, especially the soft silk fabric adorned with a charming flower pattern. The intricately designed lace is simply stunning, showcasing the unique taste of an artist. My hair was styled in an elegant textured bun, complete with fashionable accessories that complemented the look perfectly. With the final touches of makeup, I was transformed into a stunningly beautiful vision, as evidenced by my reflection in the mirror.
"Thank you everyone for your hard work. I like it." I complimented them for their hard work. Well, the hardest was didn't me, so bravo me. The maids blushed at my word.
Knock..knock.
I shifted my gaze to the right and inquired, "Since when have you been here?" My eyes remained unwaveringly fixed on the tray he held in his hand, which was filled with a variety of light and easily digestible food items, including a few cookies and a glass of juice.
With one hand leaning on the door, he replied in a soft tone, "I just arrived." He made his way towards the table without making any noise and placed the tray on it gently. He then approached me slowly, and in his hand, he held the same wooden box that I had previously seen in his room.
He carefully placed the box on the vanity table before taking out the necklace. As I faced the mirror, he gently put the necklace around my neck, his hands resting on my shoulders. Our eyes met in the mirror, and he whispered softly in my ear, "You look stunning." With a warm smile, he added, "Take all the time you need. I'll be waiting for you." He then left, leaving me to admire the necklace and bask in his kind words.
It was a startling experience when he breathed hotly into my ear, causing me to shiver. I felt my ears turning red with embarrassment. The servants who witnessed the event were surprised. They could hardly believe that their master, who was usually cold as ice, would act this way. They whispered among themselves, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
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I descended the stairs to the waiting room where Ivan was getting dressed. The tailor who fashioned his attire acknowledged me with a greeting.
"Where is he?" I asked the man. "I did not know you were this impatient, my dear wife," Ivan said in a flirty tone.
As the curtains of the changing room parted, he stepped out and my eyes widened at the sight of him. He was tall with broad shoulders, and his chiseled jawline gave him an air of confidence. His dark hair was slightly tousled, as if he had just run his fingers through it. I couldn't help but feel a flutter in my chest as I took in his handsome features. I tried to calm myself down, reminding myself to keep my cool. But even as I did, I couldn't help but think to myself, "God, he look so hot."
As I looked at him, I noticed that he was dressed to the nines. He had on a sleek black tuxedo and a black ash vest, with a black tie featuring a stylish chain and silver clip attached to it. A stunning designed brooch was also visible on his chest, adding to his overall elegance. His white shirt was perfectly trimmed down and complemented his outfit beautifully. To top it all off, he wore short black gloves and a charming grin on his face. The author really did an excellent job of bringing this character to life with their attention to detail.
"You look handsome" I complemented him. "That's it, nothing more to say," he said giving me a lopsided smile. I smiled and shook my head in denial. As we approached the ballroom, he reminded me for the ninth time to act properly. With confidence, I replied, "I know," while rolling my eyes.
As we approached the door, the guard standing beside it blushed and quickly lowered his head to announce our arrival. With our arms locked, we strode confidently into the ballroom, immediately drawing everyone's attention. All eyes were fixed on us like hawks eyeing their prey. The looks we were receiving were stressful, and I wondered whether I would have to endure them all evening.
As the me and Ivan made our way through the ballroom, the ladies couldn't help but admire their stunning appearance. "Wow, the Duke is so handsome," remarked one of them. "And the Duchess is so beautiful," added another. "They look so good together," chimed in a third. "I couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy as I watched the Duke look at his wife with such adoration". The lustful glances from the other women made me feel like they were trying to steal him away from me. I shot them an angry glare, and they quickly hid their faces behind their hand-fans. All around me, people were gossiping about the us, but I tried to focus on enjoying the evening.
As I stood next to my husband, the Duke stood up and raised his glass to congratulate us on our marriage. All of the guests followed suit, offering their congratulations as well. I couldn't help but notice the ladies in attendance gawking at my Mr. Grumpy, some even seeming to drool at the sight of him. While everything else seemed to be peaceful, I couldn't shake the feeling that this quiet moment was the calm before the storm. As someone who had read many novels, I knew that there was never a quiet time before the happy ending, and this made me anxious.
The air was filled with the sound of sudden and piercing screams from a group of ladies. Upon closer inspection, it became apparent that the source of their distress was the sight of the duchess lying motionless on the ground. In a panic, the duke rushed towards her, his heart pounding in his chest. As he knelt down beside her, he could feel the chill of her skin against his fingertips. It was clear that she was unconscious and in urgent need of medical attention. "We need a doctor, now!" he shouted, his voice trembling with fear and desperation.
Knew it. There's never a smooth sailing in novels.
Ivan carried her to her chamber with great care amidst the commotion, and the party came to a swift end..
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My heart was heavy as I sat beside her bed, grasping her hand with both of mine and replaying the conversation with the doctor in my mind.
"Fortunately, an antidote had been prepared for the poison that was administered to her, preventing any potential danger", the doctor explained to the duke. Adding more he spoke, "I'll take my leave once the antidote has taken full effect and she wakes up, I'll come to examine her once more".
It is puzzling to think about the events that have transpired. According to the original story, Arya was tasked with poisoning the duchess's cause and putting her life at risk. However, even though Arya didn't go along with the plot, the duchess still ended up being poisoned. This leads us to question why the Marquis wanted the duchess dead in the first place and how she was able to obtain the poison. Surprisingly, there is no mention of how she got the poison in the novel, which further deepens the mystery.
The poisoning of the duchess was a well-planned act that required a lot of thought. Despite the tight security measures in the dukedom, the culprit managed to bring poison inside and use it against the duchess. It's possible that the perpetrator was someone from within the dukedom or one of the guests . "I hope you open your eyes soon. Everyone is worried about you. Get well soon, mother." Praying for her health, I kissed her hand and left the room.
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As Arya made her way out of the duchess's chamber, she was so engrossed in her thoughts that she failed to notice the presence of the young Duke who had come to check on his mother. However, he stopped in his tracks when he saw her, observing her as she spoke to the duchess with a worried expression on her face. Her words left a wave of questions in his heart. He wondered what could have changed her so drastically, and why now of all times. As she stood up to leave, he quickly hid himself, not wanting to be seen. Even after she left, his eyes kept following her until her back disappeared from sight.
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Hmm... something seems off. I can't continue like this. I need to figure out which time period I'm in. After what happened today, who knows what's coming? I need to be prepared.
As I observe the actions of the duke, I can deduce that I am not in the opening chapters of the novel, nor the subsequent ones. While I have an inkling of my current location in the story, I require further details to confirm my suspicions. It would be immensely helpful if I could obtain another clue to shed light on the exact timeline.
As I reflected on the incident and how I managed to survive, exhaustion began to set in. I eventually succumbed to sleep, only to wake up feeling as though I had drowned.
As I drifted off to sleep, I found myself in an unfamiliar place. Suddenly, a little girl with vibrant red hair that flowed like molten lava appeared before me. Her big round doll eyes were the color of fire, but despite her fiery appearance, she was tiny and delicate. She leapt towards me with unbridled joy, introducing herself as Levana, the phoenix spirit. Her smile was wide and welcoming as she exclaimed, "Finally, I get to meet you! It's so nice to finally make your acquaintance."
What in the world is going on? First, the horror nightmare, and now this. Wow, these are totally new to me! I don't remember reading anything like this in the novel.
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