n

n

nI was honestly shaking from anxiety. It was a good thing that the two of them were with me because if not, I would have fled this place long ago.

n'Seeing all these people is making me more nervous…'

nThe three of us then stopped in the middle of the quiet hall, and the orchestra started playing a slow melody.

nNathan left father and me and retreated to the side, letting dad take the first dance with me.

nI looked at dad with a skewed smile because I could clearly feel the masses' eyes which were boring holes behind my back.

nFather must have seen how nervous I was so he smiled at me as he held out his hand.

n

"Relax,

" he then tells me.

n'How to do that dad?'

n

"This is your day, you should be the one who enjoys it the most,

" he added.

nRight. It's my birthday, but it's still making me jumpy.

nThe two of us then glided in tune with the music. At first, I was slightly perturbed on what to do and almost forgot the lessons Countess Miller had taught me. But who knew that my father is a good dancing partner? He literally led the whole thing until I found myself enjoying the entire dance with him.

nHe would sometimes twirl me around out of the blue, catching me off guard, and bringing me back. In time, both me and him were having fun, giggling like school-girls.

nI had also forgotten the others who were watching, completely taking away my nerves. The fake confidence I had earlier became real.

nThe first music ended and both of us bowed to each other. Nathaniel then took father's position. This time though, the other debutants of the same age as me joined us on the dancefloor with their partners.

n

"I hope you know how to dance, brother,

" I teased him.

nNathan's brows furrowed,

"Of course, I do,

" was his response.

nThe dance started and oh boy, it was hilarious! Nathaniel kept stepping on my dress and almost tripping on his feet! It was a miracle that he didn't due to his knight training perhaps, but it seriously made the whole thing more amusing.

n

"You really are a good dancer,

" I commented and grinned at him.

nNathaniel ignored me, but I could clearly see the tip of his ears were red. Meaning, he was very embarrassed to even let out a retort.

nEzekiel, whom I thought would not come was the third one to dance with me. As expected of the perfect prince, he's good at it too.

n

"Happy birthday Nadia,

" he greeted.

n

"Thank you, Prince Ezekiel.

"

nEzekiel clicked his tongue,

"Just call me cousin. It's my birthday gift to you. Giving you the privilege of being casual to me.

"

nAnd he said that with a straight face. I can't believe this guy…

n

"Sure cousin,

" If you say so. Then I will be casual from now on. Fufufufu~

nAfterward, the two of us joined the others at the side, just next to the buffet table.

n

"Happy birthday, Nadia!

" Gwen said as soon as we got closer.

n

"Happy birthday,

" Bea seconded.

n

"Thank you!

" I then hugged both of them.

nGwen gushed at my side and observed my dress with wonder in her eyes.

n

"This dress looks beautiful! This is the first time I've seen anything like it. Who designed it?

"

n'It was meee~'

n

"Err, some lowkey designer that Adele had introduced me to,

" I lied through my teeth.

nThey don't have to know that...

n

"Who are they?

" Gwen pressed on.

n

"Uhh... Helen...?

" and grimaced. I sound unsure even to myself...

n

"Happy birthday Nadia,

" Conrad and Luther greeted in unison.

n

"Thanks.

"

n

"You're older than me now,

" Noah remarked.

n

"Only by a month!

" I interjected,

"But you better start calling me older sister.

"

n

"Aww man,

" Noah muttered.

n

"This party of yours looked great, just like you,

" Luther smoothly intervened.

nIt made me laugh out loud. Nathan clearly heard his words and immediately stared him down.

n

"Chill man, I was just teasing,

" Luther defended himself.

nMy eyes then strayed to the lone man beside the buffet table who was looking at us, me in particular. My left brow lifted in curiosity. He was saying nothing at all and was just staring at me.

nA smirk broke on my lips,

"What? Too pretty for you?

"

nI was just teasing him, but then he suddenly breathed and started choking on whatever was inside his mouth.

n

"Heeukgh!

" Eon was hitting his chest now.

nWhat the hell…

nConrad clicked his tongue and immediately gave Eon a glass of water, which the latter gulped down in turn. He was still slightly coughing but not as severe as earlier.

n

"Are you okay?

" I asked him. Even though I may not look like it, I am still worried about Eon. I don't want him dying during my wonderful debut and ruin this evening because of his idiocy after all.

nEon, who had only just recovered from being choked to death, spluttered as he looked at me. He then suddenly hid behind Conrad who only rolled his eyes heavenward. It made me confused.

n

"What's wrong with him?

" I asked the others.

nEon was acting really strange.

nGwen glanced at his brother and sighed,

"Don't mind him, Nadia. He's probably out of his medication.

"

nOkay?

nJust as she said, I paid him no mind, though I was still mystified as to his weird actions that continued throughout the night.

nAs the host of the party, I have the duty to accommodate everyone I had invited. So I spent most of the time going around with my dad and brother, thanking them all for coming. That meant that I also had to smile during the whole affair. I have smiled so much today than I have ever done for my whole life. It was exhausting.

nI have also kept answering the same question about my dress, over and over again. They were all praising it and some of them even expressed how envious they are. The name Helen had stuck to my tongue too, and now they are all getting curious about this unknown designer.

nThey asked me for her whereabouts but I just shoved it all to Adele. She could worry about it instead... Hehehe~

nMy eyes were also searching for Rosamunde, whom I also invited just to, you know, patch whatever misunderstandings we have. After all, I was not the one with who she had bad blood, but the one from the past. I just thought that we could mend the discord between us for a change.

nDespite how bratty she is, she has not done anything bad to me at all. She's just a typical snobbish noble lady that was brought up with overindulging parents. She's not here though… Too bad.

nA lot of guys around my age had invited me for a dance too. Because I am a very accommodating host, I granted all their requests, which I utterly regret. I was obligingly happy at first but after three more summons, I got extremely tired that I find it hard to even stay at my feet that long. My feet were crying for help.

n'Someone please save me…' I kept chanting inside my head as I danced with an unfamiliar face. He was really kind but it's not registering in my head anymore.

n'I just want to hide…'

nSomeone cleared their throat from behind us and I internally groaned, thinking that it must be another invitation.

n

"May I borrow the lady?

" a familiar voice says.

nHuh? That sounds like…

nBoth of us turned to who it was and saw Eon who was smiling playfully, looking like the usual him at last.

n'Is he rescuing me?'

nThe kind guy had no qualms whatsoever and gave way to him, bowing before finally retreating. Now, Eon and I were now facing each other.

n

"So?

"

nEon's playful smile widened,

"I am here to save a damsel in distress,

" he says and pulled me closer.

nA chuckle escaped my lips,

"Are you being a valiant knight right now?

"

nInstead of swaying me around like how a waltz would go and stay in the same position, Eon slowly but surely maneuvered both of us to the side. I clearly understood what he was doing and just went with his flow.

n

"You looked pathetic that's why I decided to,

" Eon teased.

nWhen we were at the part where there are no people, both of us then bolted away like civilians on the loose, laughing like lunatics.

nEon then brought me to the balcony where the others were and we all spent the rest of the night fooling around. They were also helping me hide away from the others, to my gratitude. I felt like fugitive hiding away from the sight of people, but there's no helping it, I'm tired guys.

n

"Here,

" Nathan then offered his shoes to me.

n

"Huh? It's okay brother! You don't have to!

"

n

"I know your feet are sore. Don't say otherwise and just remove your heels already.

"

nAwww

nI took it from him without any more comments. Of course, his shoes would be bigger than my foot, but I feel much more comfortable now than before.

n

"Father said that he would greet the guest in your stead so you could rest,

" Nathan then told me after a while.

n'Thank the heavens for letting me have a great family!'

nHaving both a thoughtful brother and father, it just made me think that being brought into this world doesn't seem bad at all. Honestly, I am glad. I am truly happy that I get to experience these, that I get to know them, even if I am just a fraud.

n

"Here Noah! You should drink too!

" Eon

n

"I am still underage, I don't think I can…

" Noah

n

"Who cares about that?! There is no one with authority here!

" Eon

n

"Ehem...

" Ezekiel

n

"Don't mind the prince!

"

nLooking at their happy faces, a sudden fire sparked from within me.

nI want this. I want them.

nThe fire burned even hotter as a resolve slowly formed in my mind.

nWho cares if they were originally not for me? I am here at this moment. I am the one who gathered them all here. I am the one who is with them and not the villainess from the book.

nAnd I will do anything to continue just like this, to be with them. This is me now.

nI am no longer Lyra Elaude. I am Nadia Herman, daughter of the Herman household.

n