n

n

nThe door to the shop suddenly opened, and a smartly dressed woman came out. At her side, was a young woman in a uniform. Her spectacled eyes gazed at the two of us and smiled warmly.

n

"Are you from Marquis Herman--

" then halted.

"Ah! Dear me! Of course, you would be. There is no one in this empire with beautiful ruby eyes except the Hermans,

" she declares.

n'Oh come on, you're making me blush.'

n

"Please come in. The Marquis had already told us about you,

" she said and stepped inside, waiting for us.

nFather did?

nI glanced at Nathaniel..

nIs that why he dragged me here? Why did he not tell me then…

nNathan tugged me inside for the second time this day, and I let him do so. Now that we were inside, the beauty of the place greeted my eyes. It was already fancy outside, but the interior is even more lavish.

nBeautiful dresses in different styles can be seen, being displayed in mannequins and racks. Even the furniture looks very expensive. I bet the price is noteworthy too…

n'I can't believe dad arranged this for us. How much did he spend to book us an appointment?'

n

"Come this way,

" the smart-looking woman says and leads us to a room. There was a young man waiting there inside, carrying some cloth samples.

nThe room was wide enough for 10 people. There were couches, the color of royal blue, on both sides and a big mirror affront. Both Nathan and I sat down side by side on one.

n

"Let me introduce myself. I am Adele, the owner of this boutique, a designer. These are my assistants, Nubadi and Batthew.

"

nShe seems like a big shot designer, and very familiar to me either. I wonder where I heard her name?

n

"The Marquis had mentioned needing clothes for the upcoming hunt,

" the lady then looked at me.

"What style do you want?

"

nI blinked at her question.

n

"Style?

"

n

"Yes. Usually, girls your age wanted to look good. There were already orders like that, regarding the styles they want.

" She then handed me a brochure that the young woman from earlier was holding.

"These are the current trends. Pick the one that fancies you.

"

nHah? That's a thing? When did the hunt become a place for showing off? It's a hunt, not a fashion show!

nReluctantly, I opened the brochure, mindlessly flipping through the pages. This is ridiculous…

n

"How about you, Sir Nathan?

"

n

"Just make it white,

" was his flat reply.

nWhat an easy demand.

nI closed the brochure and smiled at Adele,

"All of these look great,

" --Not!

"But it's so hard to choose~

" I uttered, faking a solemn expression.

nAdele smiled,

"Then tell me the things that you want for your dress.

"

n

"I want something simple but flexible as well. Something comfortable, and not a skirt either. I don't want ruffles, nor laces, or any decorative ribbons. I don't want it too bright and colorful, preferably in a uniform color,

" I mouthed off.

nIt was obvious that I was crossing out everything inside the brochures, and Adele understood right away. She looked surprised at first, but then painted a bright expression on her face after a while.

n

"I understood, Miss Herman. Let us get your measurements then,

" she says, earning a satisfied smile from me.

n'She really is a smart-looking woman in every sense of the word.'

nNathaniel went away with Batthew and entered another room, while I was left here with Adele and Nubadi.

nThe taking of measurements didn't last that long. Adele and her assistant work fast, it amazed me. Nathan, however, was still inside the other room even after we came out of ours. Adele told me that I can wait back in the room for Nathan, but I know I will only get bored in there so I declined. Instead, I will wait for him in the lobby and look around while at it.

n

"These are all pretty…

" I mumbled as I gazed at the purple ball gown in front of me.

"Looks hella expensive too.

"

nAbsentmindedly, my eyes swiveled outside the shop by the glass window. A young woman with golden hair, as bright as molten gold, walks by.

n'Wait! Is that???'

nWith heart pounding in excitement, I abruptly go outside to spy on the young lady from earlier.

n'There is only one woman who has a unique molten gold hair in all of Rosenthal.'

nSure, there are blondes. But they are either on the verge of faded bleached hair, or light-brownish. Hers is the color of the sun in its most beautiful form.

n

"Estelle?

" I muttered under my breath.

nI was hiding behind the wall of the shop as I watched her go away. I couldn't exactly see her face because her back was on me, nor did I see it clearly while I was inside. But I know for sure, it was Estelle.

nIn the book. Estelle was described as a girl with hair of golden threads, and forest green eyes. If I could just see her face, then I could confirm my guess.

n'Did I really saw Estelle? It should be her, right? I am pretty sure that was her!'

nI felt giddy all of a sudden. It's like everything is getting pieced together little by little. I thought about what happened in the book, which strangely felt so blurry to me now. Well, to be fair, I had only read it once. But then again, why do I feel like I keep forgetting things nowadays…

nRight. The original plot is already coming around the corner. Estelle would turn 15 soon, and on the night of her birthday, she would dream about her future. She will wake up in the morning, and that's where it will all start.

nShe will be in denial at first, but because the dream felt so real, she would question herself. Everything will happen according to the dream after that, and Estelle would realize it. That's the time that she will plot a plan in order to avoid her tragic future.

nAnd that's where she will start meeting all the male leads! I especially love that Foundation Ball part. It's because the gathering of handsome men will happen there. Eye Candies… Eye Candies everywhere...

nFufufufufufu~

nI'm sure it will be amazing. Imagine seeing all the good looking men in one room. The brilliance! I will surely go blind.

nAnd the fact that it's also the eve of the ball where Estelle chose Lukas, instead of the Prince. Oh myyyy~ I am blushing!

nI want to scream in extreme happiness but that would make me look like a lunatic.

nSooner or later, the stage will all be set and I will be there, sitting in the front row, watching it unfold.

n