Chapter 18

3rd Person

First thing in the morning, the people at Royal Duchy is really busy. The butler is informing everyone to which is where. All the employees are obediently doing their tasks quickly.

Meanwhile, Yelena is preparing herself inside her room. There are maids arranging her hair and some is applying make up on her face.

"Miss Yelena is beautiful today too." The maids praised.

'Of course I am.' Yelena boasted inside her mind.

"You're so cute."

She flinched and had tingling on her stomach again.  She closed her eyes and set aside the thought of Avyanna's gleaming smiles.

However, it has appeared inside her mind again and again after that. She didn't even know what to do now.

"A lot of guests have already arrived, My Lady." Marilyn said while looking outside the balcony.

"Hmm." She responded in boredom. It's not something new.

It always happens and there are nothing new. It's just another battlefield of words and intellect. Just another battlefield of gaining ally's for ascending the throne.

"Marquis River have arrived."

She turn her head outside but she doesn't feel anything. Before, by just hearing Roshan's name, it would give her breathtaking feelings where even her own heart would race inside her chest. But right now, she still feel empty. She didn't know how to react on this new feeling.

"Hmm." She just responded and stare on the mirror.

Everyone finished applying make up on Yelena's face and it's time to wear her dress. There are three layers of her dress and she knows that it's gonna be a tiring day.

"The Lady from Baron Brooke is also here now."

Yelena's gaze immediately turn on the balcony and ran towards it.

"Eh? Lady?"

*Badum-badum*

Her heart is pounding so fast as she move her eyes looking for the mentioned lady. The strange feeling is evading her whole system as she search through the crowd.

'There!' She spotted the person she was looking for. She's holding a small box that she is carefully holding.

Her heart raced even faster. She felt breathless with the sensation on her stomach bothering her.

"Is that... A gift?" She mumbled.

Then she saw other people looking at Avyanna and then she noticed her dress. Her face became bitter. 'Attracting attention wherever she goes. Her dress would be another trend too.'

"Miss, the dress is ready."

She turn her head to the maids.

"Do it quickly." She ordered.

The maids nodded their heads happily and they start fixing Yelena's dress.

"Is your escort the Duke, Miss?" One of the maids asked.

"Yeah. I'm entering with father today." She answered calmly.

However, her heart is not calming down. It's still racing like crazy.

'When would this stop?' She clenched her chest and tightly closed her eyes.

♡♡♡♡

Avyanna have arrived and everyone have been staring at her and whispering since then.

'If I can pluck out these people's eyes I would done it by now.' Avyanna said in the back of her mind. Annoyed at so many people looking at him.

"Lady Avyanna."

Avyanna's eyes twitched and turn her head on the side just to see the white haired young prince.

"Prince... Arci." She immediately bow her head.

"Ah, you know you don't need to do that." Arci said waving his hand. "I haven't seen you in a while."

"Ah... Yes. I apologize." Avyanna immediately responded. "Actually, I would like to have a talk with Your Highness some other time. And today is Lady Royal's birthday. There are too many eyes."

"Of course. We'll talk next time." Arci smiled and walked away from Avyanna.

"Diane, I'm counting on you today. Deliver my gift when it's time to. I need to go to the temple. If you feel bored, you are free to leave anytime." Avyanna said while handing the small box to Diane.

"Aren't you going to see and wish the lady a happy birthday?" Diane asked.

"I'll do it later if I'll be able to--"

"The Duke and Lady of the House is entering."

Their heads turn to the stairs. The Duke of Royal and Yelena was standing there.

Avyanna's heart raced looking at the mesmerizing appearance of Yelena. Everything on her is eye catching. No one would dare to look away.

The people bow on the presence of the two, however Avyanna was standing still and looking at Yelena's direction.

So is Yelena. Their eyes met just like how fairy tale characters fell in love at first sight.

All of the people stood up. And Avyanna used the chance to exit the hall.

She went inside a carriage and it was driven away. She leans on the side and smile. She couldn't forget how beautiful the person she likes is.

"I'll surely make you mine in no time." She mumbled while covering her mouth.

♡♡♡♡

Yelena searched the crowd for Avyanna.

'She was just here a while ago. Where is she now?' She asked herself.

Many nobles have wished her a happy birthday. She immediately wore her business smile. However right at the moment, she felt empty.

"Happy Birthday, Lady Yelena." Roshan bows to her.

"Thank you, Marquis River." She smiled at Roshan but she felt nothing. There's like a void inside her heart that seem to have been numb.

"Can I ask you for a dance?" Roshan asked reaching his hand.

Yelena obviously took it and the man kissed the back of her hand.

They went on the center of the hall. They bow on each other and the music plays. The two held hands and they dance together.

The whispers are everywhere. Comments after comments. Praise after praise. But none of it have satisfied the two.

"Why are you acting like that?" Roshan suddenly asked.

"Acting like how?" Yelena stare at the man.

"You seem lost?" Roshan answered and spin Yelena.

"I do?"

"Yeah."

"I don't know. I just.. I'm not sure. I should be happy dancing with you. This is one of the things I wanted. But I still feel odd. Like I'm--"

"Somehow like you're cheating on someone." Roshan said making Yelena stare at him even more.

"Huwah. So intimate."

"A match made in heaven."

"Maybe the Marquis have already got sick of that woman."

Roshan and Yelena's face became more bitter hearing the last comment. Their eyes gaze to that direction.

The Lady who said those words felt shivers and she hid herself on the crowd behind her.

"Do you still... like Lady Brooke?" Yelena asked. Her heart clenched immediately asking that question.

Great, she still have feelings for Roshan. This shouldn't confuse her.

"No."

Her heart was in joy even more. She smiled sincerely.

"I think I'm in love with someone but I'm confused right now. I must get my answers later on." Roshan added.

"That's great." Yelena mumbled.

"What is?" Roshan immediately asked.

"You're not..." Yelena became even more confused again.

Roshan is in love. She should react to that statement. But she was supposed to answer that she's relieved that he didn't like Avyanna anymore. And her heart reacted the other way.

'How can I be in love with a woman?' Yelena asked.

They didn't realized that the music is over and reacted later. They went their separate ways.

Yelena sat beside her father to relax her body. But her mind is messed up thinking about what is what.

'Is that even possible?' She asked again.

Her eyes search the crowd but the person she was looking for was not there. Her chest tightens.

'Why do I feel this way about you?'