Why Is This Novel Turning Into A Circus?!

"Are you that happy?" I asked. Kia's reaction was rather amusing. She looked like a child in candy land.

She stopped and straightened her posture, "I apologize, milady. It's just my first time seeing such a large room."

Well, the bedroom exceeded my expectations. The walls are pastel blue, and the pieces of furniture are white. It smelled like Freesia and Magnolia flowers which matched the clean aura.

Not a single speck of dust, the fact that everything seems new, some clothes fit an average girl in her teens. It looks well taken care of. It's too childish for my taste, but that's fine.

I suddenly recalled the conversation I had with Mr. Butler.

"Lady Raina, this is your room. If you have any complaints, please let me know and I will take action immediately."

"I see. I'm grateful. I knew that the duchy is wealthy, but I didn't know that they had a guest room of such high quality."

He smiled. "While it is true that we offer guests a great experience, this is not a guest room. That is why, if you aren't satisfied with this room, I'm sure His grace is willing to redo it to your taste."

"I'm pleased with it, but I'll inform you if I changed my mind."

"At 7 o'clock a servant will guide my lady to the dining room where you will have dinner with His grace. Until then, please make yourself comfortable."

'Archen's character differs from the one portrayed in the novel. A possibility suggests that the other characters may also act differently.'

I wrote in my journal, flipping through the pages, I rewrote the information—written in scribbles—I have gathered from Kia and the newspapers in more detail.

'Azriel, currently 20, will have his birthday in the fortieth day of the seventh month, 3 months later. Being 3 years older than the saintess, the story will start in 5 months when the auctor festival is held.'

***

When I arrived at the dining room, Archen was already sitting, the dishes elegantly displayed.

As soon as I sat, Archen grabbed the napkin, propping himself up. "You all may leave now."

The servants bowed and left.

"I'd like to thank you for sending a physician earlier," I said.

"It is not for free."

This bastard.

"Oh? Then what can I do to repay you?"

He blatantly ignored me and picked up the soup spoon to eat. I didn't know we were playing 'brush off the question'.

Ah, whatever. Let's just enjoy the food.

I grabbed the soup spoon and took a sip of the tomato basil soup. It's alright. The food wasn't too outstanding.

The entirety of the meal was spent in silence.

As Archen stood up, he said, "In two days time, we will go to the capital to fulfill the requests you made. I made a reservation at Adite grâce."

Adite grâce.

The boutique is said to be the pivot of fashion in the Rosenlite empire. The boutique where nobles have to get a reservation months before to get a piece of clothing and most importantly the boutique that made the heroine's debut and engagement gown?! It went bankrupt in the latter part of the story though... Anyway...

As expected of the male lead's loyal slave!

"I see. Thank you."

...

2 days later.

"What?" I asked Mr. Butler.

"His Grace was summoned to the Imperial palace to tend to an emergency matter, so he cannot accompany you today."

Liar.

Azriel probably sneaked out again.

"Not that." I pointed to the suspicious clothes and wig he was carrying, "what's that for?"

"These are the items my lady will wear for today's outing. As his grace cannot guard you as he is away, he wishes for you to wear a disguise instead."

Archen... You're a real piece of work!

By making me wear a disguise, he's basically making sure that if I ever get in trouble, it won't come back to him or the Aillard duchy.

Am I that untrustworthy?

...

Yes.

"Is it uncomfortable milady?" Kia asked, carefully styling the bright blonde wig.

"Not at all."

"Is that so...? Why are you frowning then?" Kia flinched, "Ah, sorry milady. Asking such a rude question..."

"It's fine, it's just that," my lips trembled, hand carefully wiping the corners of my eyes, "I was looking forward to this outing... I thought I could finally hang out with my brother. Do you think he's just using the palace as an excuse to not be with me?"

"Milady!" Kia's eyes glimmered. "There's no way that's true!"

"You think so...?"

Truthfully, the reason why I was frowning wasn't because of Archen. I couldn't care less. Although it would be nice to have one of the most powerful people in the empire to escort me and brag about it, it couldn't be helped.

It's just... I'm not used to seeing someone else's face when I look in the mirror.

Besides, this face, Raina's face is too gentle! Like a lamb! She's beautiful, no doubt, but I like my face better! My striking gorgeous face!

"My lady?" Mr. Butler called out, I hummed in response. He was showing me the way to the entrance, "You'll be assuming Baron Cohen's youngest daughter's identity, Lady Eve. 15 years old. She's a rather shy and quiet individual."

Cohen? Never heard of it.

"I see."

"Ah, here we are. It looks shabby on the outside but I assure you the interior is comfortable." I nodded, he then pointed at the raven-haired knight, "He's Elliot, a class 3 knight, he will be serving as my lady's escort."

That's pretty high.

"Nice to meet you Elliot. I place my safety to you."

The knight bowed, "it's my honor."

...

What a rather pretentious individual. 'It's my honor'? When you're faking it because Mr. Butler is here?

At the boutique.

When we arrived, a salesperson greeted and led us to the drawing room. There were 7 to 10 people at most, all were either busy chitchatting or checking the clothes.

They're blinding...

Ahhhhhhh! This dress makes me look out of place! Archen, I hate you!

I sat down in a place where I couldn't catch much attention. As an attention whore, this is torture! Torture, I tell you!

"This is the catalogue, Miss Cohen."

"Thanks."

I carefully flipped the pages, half attentively.

Adite grâce being the gathering point of the elite nobles is basically where you can learn the current situation of high society.

Meaning, IT'S A DEN OF GOSSIP!

"Lady Rizetta, are you also here for the Emperor's birthday?"

My ears perked up.

"Oh my, if it isn't lady... Uh, Zelos. Yes, I'm getting my outfit for His Majesty's birthday. What about you? Picking something up for Lady Ethel?"

Wow~ I can see the sparks flying.

If I remember correctly, They're the daughters of Viscount Zelos and Count Rizetta. The former was a minion of Arabella while Vivian Rizetta became the heroine's friend.

I guess they really hated each other even before the novel started.

After a few back and forth between the two, Arabella's minion no. 1 left and went to talk to a seamstress. Meanwhile, Vivian was pulled to the side by a girl wearing the Central Rose Academy uniform.

"Sister, please stop picking a fight with Lady Ethel's people."

"It's just that... They're so annoying. Do they think that his majesty will actually marry that cox-comb?"

The short-haired girl glanced at her surrounding before whispering.

No!

I stared at her lips, but I couldn't make much of it.

Something along the line of nobles, pressure, and Verena.

Before I could think of what she meant, someone blocked my view. It was Arabella's minion no. 1.

I put the paper down and stood up, "how may I help you?"

"Who are you?" She asked, swirling her glass of champagne, eyeing me up and down.

The fuck you looking at, motherfucker?

"I'm Baron Cohen's–"

"So a peasant?"

Did you just cut me off?

"Makes it easier, I want that dress." She pointed at the pearl-embellished off-white dress that I had already reserved.

My mouth twitched. The urge to punch someone is strong right now. No, I need to calm down. Fighting with her will just make it hard for Eve Cohen when she debuts.

"I apologize, however, I really want that dress. Why–"

"Can you even afford it?" She scoffed and added, "honestly, what is the workers here doing, letting a beggar in?"

She jerked when I glared at her. With all the fuss, everyone was watching us. Perhaps, feeling humiliated, Minion no. 1 splashed my face with champagne. She took a step forward, and whispered. "Listen here peasant, I want that dress and you will give it up."

Everyone stared.

No one interfered.

Not even the one who was supposed to protect me.

I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and a whiplash of realizations hit me all at once. The shabby clothes, blonde wig I wore and the unfamiliar blue eyes that stared were not me.

I was not Sienna Argerich, the heiress and beloved daughter of her Uncle Kiel anymore.

That's right, Sienna, this is a new place. You don't know anyone, no one knows you.

You have to fend for yourself, no one is coming to your rescue.

You're alone.

Just like the good ol' times.

I wiped my face, "on another thought, the dress is yours. Both of you matches. An ugly dress for an ugly person."

Pak!

Pak!

Pak!

She slapped me, repeatedly. Her face was red and wrinkled.

I laughed. "See? I was right. You're dreadful looking."

She was about to fling her hand again, but I caught her wrist and yanked it. She lost her balance and fell down.

"Lady Zelos!" A man in green uniform yelled and came to assist her.

"Even the knights of the Zelos viscounty seems to be like their masters. Useless."

"Hahahahaha!" Someone burst out laughing, it was Vivian Fauna Rizetta.

Hearing her, the minion's face became more distorted.

I'm nauseous.

And I...

I miss Uncle Kiel.

I miss my dad.

To be continued.