Chapter 2 Invite to dinner

Chapter 2

Has the Emperor been corrupted? Why did he think to invite me to dinner, it's unusual.

In my annoyance, I sped up my pace and didn't realize that I was separated from my mother.

If you are looking at it oh!

I just kept walking even though I knew that I was being pierced by the sharp eyes of every aristocrat around me. It doesn't matter, I'm used to it again.

While walking, my attention was drawn to the garden full of different types of flowers. I watched a little more to see their beauty. In my meditation, I didn't realize that I had bumped into something, causing me to fall.

"I'm sorry. I did not mean it." I promise

He extended his hand, I looked up and was stunned to see the first prince in front of me.

It gives me chills when I suddenly remember this scene; when Alexis was looking down at me. The only difference was he didn't have his sword to kill me.

"Are you alright, miss?"

I came back to reality when his attendant spoke.

I shouldn't bump into him in the future or else I'll be done for. I stood up for myself while my head kept staring at the ground.

"Yeah, I should keep going. Again, forgive me for my impudence." I bowed my head in response as I quickly walked away

But I was forced when suddenly someone grabbed my arm. When I turned around, I saw Alexis and her face looked sad.

"Why didn't you come back to the palace?"

My eyes were enlarged in shock at what I heard.

What does it mean? Alexis didn't care for me at all in fact, he didn't want to be with me in the first place.

I became paralyzed in a moment. Once again, I was able to reminisce all the sufferings I've been through because I fell in love with him.

It's all your fault! I was blind back then and naive. You took advantage of me while you were in love with my sister. I regret all of it, I wish I didn't meet you!

"Adel, what's wrong? Are you okay, you look pale." Alexis said with worried eyes

They noticed that something was wrong with me but before everything I calmed myself down. I did promise to live my life to the fullest with my love once, I can't ruin it this time I had my second life.

I swayed my arms and that made him lose his grip. I looked at him with my serious eyes and it made him surprised.

"I suppose that it is inappropriate for a lady to go to the palace because of a prince who doesn't even care for her." I said

I saw his confused eyes while he was looking at me. Like he couldn't believe what was happening.

We may be close in our childhood times, but all is destined to be changed.

"This lady will not bother you again, your highness" I said with a big smile on my face

My words made him speechless and I continued to walk away. It's better to stay away from him. From this life, I will not love Alexis anymore.

I'm still walking but my eyes won't stop crying so I can't clearly see my path. My heart started to hurt.

I want to shout! I want to scream! But I can't... Somebody, help me..

"Adele! Adele..."

I need someone...

"My daughter!"

My mom hugs me from afar and that made me cry loudly in her embrace. Mom pats me on my head and comforts me.

"Don't worry, Adel. I'm here, you're safe" she said in a soft voice

When I'm with mom, it's just all my sorrows and pain will instantly go away like magic. It's the first time I felt something like this with my mom.

"What are you doing here?"

My hair all over the body straightened when I heard that man's voice. I looked and it was indeed my father. He saw my eyes and probably knew that I cried.

"Tsk, is that really worth of crying when the prince didn't notice you? Well, how could someone willing to talk with a spoiled brat like you?" Father said

His words sink in to my chest and it hurts. My father didn't change at all. He still didn't care about me.

"Duke, you shouldn't be like that to our daughter." said mom

Mom did stand up for me.

He turned his back coldly.

"I didn't have a daughter like her." After he said that, he walked away

Mom looked at me with worried eyes but I didn't see it clearly because I was drowned in my thoughts again. Was I still able to change my life? In 6 years, Ivellina will become my sister because mom died.

"Adele, are you okay?" she said in a worried tone

"Yes mom" I said with a smile

"Thank goodness! Adel, whatever your father may say to you, you will always be my daughter" she said in tears

I cupped her face and wiped her tears.

Mom shouldn't cry anymore. Mom should be happy. Don't worry mom, from now on I'll make you happy.

"Don't worry mom, even if father doesn't acknowledge me, as long as I have my mom. I can be happy." I said and gave her a big and warm hug.

I promise to protect you in this life, I won't let you die!

It was already evening and everyone was preparing for the extravagant dinner for the Royals. And because Lascena family was invited especially me, I have no reason to skip the invitation.

I looked at myself in the mirror while Lina was busy taking care of my hair. I was staring at my reflection in the mirror.

I must end everything here before anything else happens. I must not get myself involved in the royal family or else I will suffer in a very miserable life.

"Miss, everything's ready" Lina said

I stood up and looked at her. Her eyes were sparkling as soon as she saw me. I was confused, am I really that beautiful?

"Miss is really beautiful!" the Lina happily uttered

I smiled at her and began to bow. She seemed to be shocked at my actions but I don't care, I should thank her for her loyalty to me.

"Thank you for everything, Lina." I said

Back then when I was angry, I usually hit Lina to calm myself. But I never heard her to complain about what I'm doing, instead she clearly understands me above all else in the mansion.

She always supports me when I'm down because Alexis always rejects me and she always defends me in other maids who mock me. When mom's not around, she's always there for me.

I looked at her face and saw her eyes filled with tears.

Did I say something wrong?

"W-Wait--did I say something wrong?" I'm nervous language

But instead of replying, she hugged me tightly. I can feel her gentle and warm embrace.

"I'll always be there for you miss, even though the world forsaken you I'll never leave you." She said

I hugged her back and my eyes won't stop crying too.

When my mother died, my life began to turn upside down. I became the black sheep to the family. It's always the sister and the sister who is good and I'm the bad. Then, they cast me out, father didn't care for me and never even showed himself to me.

My life began to suffer to the point that the maid's treatment is better than me. The maids started to bully me and there is Lina who always takes care of me. The news spread that she died due to illness but the truth is, she died of being too much tortured just because she refused to poison me.

That made me angry so I confronted Ivellina and her goody-two-shoes mother and made havoc. And then, I was sentenced to death.

"Miss..."

In this life, I will cherish you.

"...Miss, are you alright?"

With me protecting you, no one will dare to touch you.

I quickly smiled and wiped my tears. I shouldn't remind myself of the most horrible moment that happened in my life. That's right, I must focus on the present!

"We should hurry to get in the ball or else you won't be able to see the prince." Lina said

I smirked and flipped my hair.

"Ha! Who wants that stupid prince. Geez, I'm tired of him already." I said with a disgusted expression

"Miss..." she muttered in shock

Ha! As expected to Lina, she must be shocked about my sudden attitude towards Alexis.

"Anyways, let's go to the ball. I want to see my mom now" I said

She nodded and directed the way to the ball. As expected of the royal family, they must spend a lot of money just to boast their status to many nobles and aristocrats.

We successfully entered the ball and it is more lively than I expected. Well, it's because I'm only permitted to enter a child's ball. Childe's ball is a ball exclusive for children like me who's not yet come of age. Coming of age is important to every person's life because the moment you come of age, you will be introduced as an adult in society and it means, you have the freedom.

As expected to a child's ball, it's quite noisy but I'm getting out of place since my mind is already an adult, I have no business with these kids.

I saw an empty space with chairs in a corner and I signaled Lina to follow me to head over there. She nodded and quietly followed me, she sure understood what I'm feeling right now. I'm mad, I can't see my mom!

While walking there's a group of boys, probably a little older than me pointing at me and they seem to be talking bad about me.

"Hey isn't that the evil daughter of the Duke?"

"Don't look at her eyes, you will bewitch!"

Then they all laugh really loud in front of my face making an attention. Why do they always want me to get attention?

Damn these boys! Do they think I don't hit the child? I looked closely at one of the people who was laughing and it looked like he was the anal of the General who was under father's management.

Judging from his clothes, he seemed to be spoiled by his parents. And the rest of the boys probably the sons of the Imperial knights under the general. They are all good looking but they are just stupid morons. How dare they mock me?

I was just walking but suddenly, this general's son bastard blocked my path. Lina started her move but I stopped her.

I can handle this.

I glared at this bastard but he kept on grinning.

"Out of my way" I said

"Oh, should I be scared?" mocked by the boy beside him

And everyone laughed so loudly again.

Ugh, I shouldn't waste my time dealing with these airheads.

I just continued to walk and ignore them but the general's son grabbed me in my arms.

"How dare you ignore me? I'm not done yet." he said

"Go Maximilian!"

"Get that ugly lady!"

Abugh, and they're still cheering for this snort to do something bad? Extraordinary..

I looked at him evilly while leaving. I saw Lina approaching us but I signaled that I was okay.

I can do it Lina. Just be there first.

"What do you want?" I asked angrily

He looked into my eyes and brought his face closer to mine.

"You should be pleading Prince Alexis to save you right, why won't you do it?" it said

"Why would I do it?"

"Be-Because you're in love with that good-for-nothing prince" he stammered

"Pfft.."

Because if what he had said, I burst into laughter. They seemed to be confused why I laughed. I sway my hands and that made him lose his grip and then look at his eyes seriously.

"Look, I don't know what b*llshit is what you're talking about and I don't even know you. You seemed to be interested in my relationship with the prince don't tell me you're jealous because of me? I didn't know that general's son is interested in men." I teased

Everyone who heard it refrained from laughing and the ball filled with small laughs. The general's son probably named Maximillien was being humiliated by my words.

His face was all red and is stopping himself from crying. His friends seem to worry and are glaring towards my direction.

"Max..."

"You evil lady!"

"Apologize to Max!"

Poor boys, probably didn't learn any good morals from their parents and teachers. I just rolled my eyes at them and proceeded to walk since Maximillien was about to cry.

"You are really a witch! Why would there be someone like you ever born? Everyone hates you because you are evil! Witch!" he yelled

Urgh, this boy doesn't know how to give up! If he really wants me to be a witch, then I'll gladly grant his request.

I turn my back and face Maximillien and then I point out my finger to him.

"Very well, because you really wanted this I'll give you a curse. Maximillien, you will become impotent and never get married in the rest of your life. You will live your life in solitude, this is a curse from the witch. Hahaha !" I said loudly

While I was laughing, I caught sight of Alexis approaching us. I didn't even think about running away or avoiding them because they were so close.

"What's going on here?" Alexis asked

"P-Prince..." Maximilien exclaimed

Maximilien and his bad guys immediately ran away when they saw Alexis.

Hey, maybe they don't like Alexis that's why they targeted me. What will they gain from me?

"Are you okay?" Alexis asked

I shook my head and nodded.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I promise

"I'm here to escort you to the royal dinner. You can't refuse." he says

Alexis really thought that I'm going to refuse him.

"Sure" I answered with no appetite

To Be Continued....