n

n

nThey won over me eventually and had not curled my hair just as I wanted to. They just braid half of it and clipped it with a diamond hairpin. I stared at myself in the mirror, feeling satisfied with the result.

n'My attendants are all hard working. I should reward them soon.'

n

"Milady,

" Mari voices out and hands me the black hand fan that I ordered to be brought out.

nIt was made of lace and had tiny jewels embedded in it. It looks pretty!

n

"Thank you,

" I uttered and smiled at her in return.

n'With this, my battle gears are complete. I am ready for battle now..'

nI stood up from the chair and presented myself to them. My attendants clap as if they are watching a fascinating show and were looking at me in awe which made me flattered, honestly.

n

"Milady looks very beautiful!

" Erin complimented.

n

"Fufufufufu~

"

nI covered my mouth with the fan as I laugh, embodying how a villainess acts. I probably look stupid as well while doing it but whatever.

nLily comes in at that moment and smiles at me.

n

"The carriage is ready, milady.

"

n'So it's time…'

nI glanced at the mirror once more and left the room with them trailing behind me. My eyes saw Nathaniel standing in front of it and turned when he saw me getting closer. He stares at me for a while which made me quite conscious of myself. If I didn't confirm my appearance in the mirror, I would be worrying right now.

n

"Go home before dark,

" he reminded me before whirling around to go back inside the house.

nI watched him disappear and smirked at his expense. My brother Nathan is sulking fufufufufu~

nHe is still stingy about me ignoring him three days ago even though I didn't mean to do so.

n

"Well then,

" I turned to my attendants who were standing at the side, waiting for me to get in.

"I will leave now.

"

n

"Have a safe journey, milady.

" Was their response as they bowed slightly.

nThey all then raised their heads and all but beamed at me.

nAfter I waved at them through the windows, the carriage left and sped up in the direction of the Count Fodder's residence. I was silently musing during the whole ride.

n'Rosamunde and that four rude ladies would definitely team-up. I will bet on it.'

nBeatriz and Gwen were going to meet me there, so I wasn't really worried that I would be alone when I arrived. Moreover, it was stupid of me to get anxious just because of some lowly breeds.

nThe carriage then stopped just outside the gates of a manor. It wasn't as big as the marquis mansion, but it is still big nevertheless. There were a group of people in a servant uniform waiting outside, probably to welcome the guests. My footman opened the door for me and helped me get down.

nAs soon as I am out, another carriage rolls in beside mine. It was grand and had the Duke of Ethalion's insignia on its body, a black eagle with spread wings.

n'Beatriz is here~'

nJust then, another comes in which looks very familiar. It was Gwen's carriage!

nI decided to wait for them to come down so we could enter the premises together. Bea then comes out after a moment and sees me. Gwen pokes her head and comes down as well. I waved at both of them and waited for them to get closer.

nBeatriz was wearing a black long-sleeved dress with white high-neck collars and cuffs. She looked like a gothic doll with her black hair flowing in the wind as she saunters in my direction.

nGwen, as usual, is wearing a bright colored dress that made her green eyes pop off. She looks beautiful as well.

n

"Good Afternoon,

" I greeted.

n

"Good Afternoon.

"

n

"Mmm.

"

nThe group waiting from the side approached us.

n

"Welcome to the Count's residence. We will now escort you to the garden, this way please.

"

nWe silently followed them as they led us to the east part of the residence. It was a garden, all right. Different flowers were blooming, but I noticed that the majority are wild orchids.

nA long table was set up in the middle with twelve chairs, five on each side, and two on both heads. There were already people there. Two people were sitting on the right side, three seats away from each other. Kannan Fodder, I presumed, sat at the other end.

nThey both turned to us as soon as we came into the picture.

nKannan stood up and greeted us.

n

"Thank you for coming!

"

nShe was a pretty girl with short brown hair and looked squishy.

n

"Thank you for the invite,

" I replied and smiled at her.

nThe three of us decided to sit on the right side, which is already preoccupied anyway. I don't know how I ended up in the center though.

nIt was silent, but the atmosphere wasn't tense or anything. It was just harmonious…

nOf course, after I jinxed myself, Rosamunde's troupe came in to ruin that pleasant mood.

nTheir group marched in in a pyramid formation with Rosa at the lead. She was looking extremely haughty with her head raised high while wearing a smug smile. The others, two on each of her sides, look arrogant as well.

n'Heh~ The circus has come.'

nRosa narrows her eyes on me but I ignored her and continued to admire the orchids. The flowers look more interesting than her anyway…

n

"T-Thank you for coming to my party…

" Kannan uttered, slurring her words. I could feel her anxiousness from her small voice.

n

"Hmph! You better be thankful that I decided to come to your puny party!

" Rosa sniggers.

nTheir group sat on the left side, facing us, and my view got ruined by Rosa's proud figure.

n

"Nadia,

" was her greeting.

n'Honestly, why is she obsessed with the idea of pestering me? Whatever. I'll strike when she strikes...'

n

"Rosa.

"

nWe silently sized each other up, holding gazes, and no one wanted to back down. Not me! Nuh-uh. I will win this silent gaze battle with flying colors.

nThe tea was being served by Kannan silently.

n'Poor girl…'

nThe whole three or so minutes were just us having a silent war, while the others sat rigid, not wanting to divert our attention with them. It was fine with me because I enjoyed the tea. Bea wasn't perturbed either, as usual, and Gwen looked bored. After all, she likes blabbering her mouth while drinking tea but she couldn't do that now.

nShe was staring at Rosa's companion in undisguised hostility. She had learned from Eon what happened when she was not around, that's why she's being like this now.

n

"We have better tea than this,

" Rosa voiced out, frowning.

n

"Then you should just have tea at home,

" Gwen rebuked.

n'Oh no, Gwen is breaking.'

nRian Husky was it? Snorted at the side.

n

"How impudent for a Count's daughter to speak like that to Miss Rosa!

"

n'What's with these corny lines? They have nothing else to say other than that?'

nGwen smiles,

"What are you saying? I was just worried that Rosa would get sick from the tea, so I am suggesting for her to go home.

"

n

"That was not what you meant!

" Shie Tzu interjects.

n

"It is. It's just, you're too dumb to understand it,

" Gwen bounces back.

nI was enjoying it, seeing those red faces of them in anger. It was funny.

nRosa glares at me and snickers.

n

"You are letting your followers speak for you? What a coward,

" she enunciates.

n'Err, excuse me? Aren't you the same?'

n

"Tch. Pot calling the kettle black,

" Bea mutters and Rosa heard it.

n'Even Gwen is on fire huh.'

n

"Ah, Beatriz Ethalion. I don't know why you are following Nadia around, but I think it's not beneficial for you to do so,

" Rosa stated, looking a bit sincere.

"You are not meant to be a follower.

"

nDoes she think Bea would listen to her? Is she brainwashing my friend now?

nFurrowing my brows, I started to speak.

n

"They are not my foll--

"

n

"That's right. We are Nadia's followers.

" Bea cuts me off while Gwen nods her head in agreement.

nMy head swiveled to her with questioning eyes.

n'What is she saying now?'

nRosa and her four minions gawked at her while the others were silently watching at the sides. If there is popcorn nearby, they would be eating it as they observe.

n

"You? A follower? Aren't you a duke's daughter?

" She croaked, disbelieving what she heard.

n'I could not believe it either.'

nShe then puts down her cup and blankly stares at Rosa.

n

"So?

"

n

"That's nonsense! You are of higher rank than her!

"

n

"Of course, you would say that. You are not that capable enough to reel in a duke's daughter anyway.

" Bea declares.

nDropping a bomb like that to her face, Rosa's countenance turned into an ugly shade of green. It was funny, okay, so I started chuckling at the side. I could not stifle my laughter even if I wanted to.

n'Beatriz, you savage girl!'

nI don't know what Gwen and Bea are up to, but let's just go with their flow.

nRosa glares at me and so are her followers. See, they are like dogs following what their master would do.

n

"What's funny?!

" She exclaims, venom on her voice.

nI brought the fan to my lips while still wearing an amused smile.

n

"Nothing.

"

n