4 Chapter 4

"Nice to meet you, too, Lady Avyanna." Erica smiles sweetly at Avyanna and curtsey.

"Sit wherever you like, my lady."

"About the dress, how about an ocean blue colored dress? Do you have some?" Avyanna asked as she sat on the nearest chair.

"Hmm... I think it won't be suitable for your size. It's a little smaller." The designer answered.

"It's okay. It's actually not for me but as a present." Avyanna said.

"Is that so? Then okay. Please wait for me here."

Avyanna took a glance around the space after the woman left. One piece of clothes caught her eyes.

It's a simple red dress. That type of dress that you can call a simple but elegant kind of dress. She looked around for a little more time before Erica came back.

"Here it is."

Avyanna stared at the dress Erica was holding. From a glance she can tell that it was very well made. The embroidery is excellent. It's a layered dress and it's lightweight. It'll be easy to move around.

"This is great. I'll take that dress and also this red one." Avyanna said.

"Is that so, Lady Avyanna. Should I wrap these up?" Erica politely asked.

"Please do." Avyanna answered with a smile on her lips.

Avyanna went out of Erica's boutique, and then she saw Diane wandering with a troubled face. 

Avyanna bit her lip. How could she forget that there's a maid who's escorting her?

"Diane!" She called.

Diane, who was in panic, turned her head towards her lady and ran to her. She's on the verge of tears.

"Hic Lady... I thought something happened to you. Where have you been?" The maid asked, hugging her lady.

"Shh.. Sorry, I forgot I brought you. I have already bought a dress for tomorrow. And..." Avyanna turned to Diane with a big smile. "I have a job for you."

♡♡♡

"Lady, I've done what you command." Diane said.

"Did you send it anonymously?" Avyanna asked as she put down her sword.

"Yes, Lady."

"Thanks, Diane. I'll raise your pay this month." She winked at the maid 

Diane's eyes sparkled. Money at its finest.

"I thank you, My Lady." Her smile reached both of her cheeks.

Diane excuses herself and goes back to her duties.

Avyanna wiped the sweat falling down her face. 

"Lady Avyanna." 

She turned her head to the person who called. It was Everest. The family's butler.

"Yes?"

"The Baron is asking for your presence." Everest said.

"I understand."

One of the things I hate in this world is the Baron, The Female Lead's biological father. Although, Avyanna is indeed living in a fairytale. 

There's a certain event where the villainess bribes the Baron with money to buy her daughter's life. 

Doesn't that mean I will belong to the villainess? 

Nah, I'm more of the dominant type than the submissive.

Going to the Baron's office, I tried to look fiercer. The employees that come across me all shiver. 

Although this isn't how Avyanna was written, this isn't her now. I'm not that Avyanna.

I knocked on the door and called, "Father, I have arrived." I said in a cold and polite way.

"Come in."

I entered and politely curtsy. I maintain my facial expression as he stares at me.

"How was everything going with the gentlemen? Remember that even not the Princes', you should marry a rich man."

I want to roll my eyes at him or punch him here and now. Why are noblemen like this? 

Is everything all about richness and money?

I just held tightly on my dress and answered his question.

"Everything is fine, father. You don't have to worry about anything." 

"That's great. Keep on doing it. You may go now." 

"Yes, Father."

I left the office immediately. 

I'm not even into men. Why am I going to marry one?

I rolled my eyes and walked away to practice swords because we never knew when we're going to be in action.

Yelena's Pov

"Miss, a gift has arrived to you. But it doesn't have a letter or anything." 

My brows immediately furrowed. Who in the empire would dare to send me a gift anonymously?

"Take it away." I wave my hand without batting my eyes off the book.

"But Lady, won't you at least look at it?" This little maid seems not to know who she's talking to.

"I said, take it away!" I exclaimed as I glared at her so she shivered.

"Ah, understood, My Lady. I apologize for this maid's incompetence." She immediately ran away.

I closed the book I am reading and then sigh. Tomorrow is the ball. I can't seem to remember what happened last week. The days passed by so fast.

*Knock-knock-knock* 

"Come in." I said flatly but seconds passed no one came. Didn't they hear me? 

"I said, come in!" I raised my voice in irritation but still no one entered.

I clicked my tongue and went to the door and opened it, but to my surprise no one was at the door. 

I looked left and right to see if anyone was there but none. My eyes dropped on the floor and saw a box.

Confused as I may be, I picked it up and saw a note.

Your hair shines like a setting sun. Your eyes are green like they are part of the ocean. Please accept and wear this dress, for this will suit your taste and your colorful ambience.

-A

I looked at the back of the paper but it was blank. No name or anything here. Just the letter A. Who would send this?

I took it into my room and put it on the table. It said that it was a dress. What kind of fool would send me a dress knowing that I own a whole boutique? But I might as well see this thing.

I took it out of the box. Looking at it, I was stunned. This dress doesn't have too many layers, and the embroidery was done very well. The white and blue colors were mixed up, but they were mixed beautifully. Who sent this?

If I wear this, there are two possible outcomes. 

First, this dress will be a trend and I will gain more support, especially from the noble ladies. Second, this thing will ruin me.

I better not wear this because it might not get the outcome I want. 

I just hung it where I could see it and then changed my clothes on a knight. I have to train more since I have to participate in the battle in a few months. 

I have to be the victor and win this contest where the winner gets the crown.