THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY

 As night had come to replace the sun, it created such a beautiful scenery, creating a magnificent view over the Duke's household. However, it was the start of something, which would lead the path towards destruction for Felicia. 

As everyone was busy with their departure from the palace, a problem suddenly arrived and that was Felicia still not being prepared despite the lengthy time being provided. Alexander on the other hand was worried as to what may have troubled her, while Helena snickered, hiding her viciousness in her skin as she sighed in disappointment. 

"What?! That can't be happening!" The Duke exclaimed, frustrated over Felicia. "Send her here immediately!" He even responded without even an ounce of care in his tone, just straight-up frustration. 

"Please father, let sister have her time. Maybe she's still grieving over the dress. I provided something for her, I hope it will at least console her heart..." Helena softly appeased the Duke, with her melancholic tone and innocent expression.

Alexander wants to attack her at this point. Isn't she the reason why Felicia won't be able to arrive on time? God, what did he see in this woman that she was able to have her fingertips wrapped around his neck in the past where he used to defend her?

"Helena is right, your Grace. Give her some time. We cannot afford for her to not look her best, especially since it is her engagement party. We don't want anything to sully her name." Alexander responded, hating to admit that Helena had a slight point. 

"Tsk! She should be grateful that Helena gave her something to wear! That brat has taken for granted Helena's kindness." The Duke responded with such despise and hostility aimed at Felicia. 

Alexander's hands curled into fists, his vision darkened while he was debating whether to heat his father or let him be. He was getting too much in terms of being hostile towards Felicia who didn't even try to make him angry. 

On the other hand, Helena couldn't help but smirk, seeing how the Duke had begun to hate Felicia to the core. Yet she still controlled her emotion, turning around from Alexander's hateful eyes towards her. 

'You will soon realise, Alexander. That it's not a great move to make an enemy out of me.' She thought to herself while looking at her knight who kept a straight face in front of everyone. 

Oh, how everything feels right for Helena. Felicia is slowly crumbling to dust. Sooner or later, she will realise that she should've stayed in that hideous place, living like a dead person. 

"Your Grace." The new butler suddenly approached. It was the butler whom Alexander personally acquired, a man with morals and values in life. 

His arrival caught everyone's eyes. "Her Ladyship Felicia has asked me to relay to you that she wishes for everyone to go first and that she'll follow afterwards. Please do not worry as she will arrive at the palace in no time." The butler relayed her message, with his body bent as he bowed in their presence. 

"Tell her that I will join her—"

"Alexander, get inside the carriage." Before he could even tell the butler that he would be joining Felicia, Roelle the Duke had stopped him, his eyes telling him to follow his command, eyes held with strictness and ice-cold demeanour. 

"Then tell her to be careful, the road is dangerous," Alexander mentioned, following the Duke's order as he boarded the carriage after the Duke had entered, leaving no option as he left Felicia alone. 

As the carriage set to travel towards the palace located at the capital, all the servants who bowed their heads as the carriage had departed, raised their heads slowly and went inside the manor, acting as if nothing had happened. 

Meanwhile, Olivia who was overseeing the balcony in the emerald room, returned inside and looked at Felicia who was assisted by a few servants, dressing her up. 

"They have already left, Mistress," Olivia informed her as he slowly made her way towards Felicia and helped everyone in assisting her. God, she looks so divine right now, that Wench won't be able to have her night filled with joy. 

"Good. The Duke must be scalding hot." Felicia responded, making Olivia chuckle, leaving the rest in confusion as she laughed on her own. Meanwhile, Felicia just shrugged and stared at her reflection. She must thank the training she took and her diet for making her body regain its figure.

If not for it, how will she be able to display her confidence? 

—

"Where is she?" Alexander asked himself as he stood in a corner filled with food at his side. The party was held in the most Grandeur palace, where every royal blood celebrates either their birthday or wedding. 

The cost must have been equal to a Count's position. Every hall was decorated with red and white fabrics, each adorned with sparkling trinkets composed of different kinds of gemstones, clearly showing how rich both the Dukedom and the Palace were. 

After all, it is a joint event. The Duke has to give some gold as well. 

"It's a pleasure to meet you here, Young Duke. I am the lady of..."

"I am the lady..."

Women had begun to flock over to Alexander, introducing themselves in front of a sought-after bachelor. Alexander's beauty is something else out of the ordinary. His shoulder-length hair tied neatly was mesmerizing, like being powdered by gold at how shiny it was. 

It's piercing cold blue eyes that definitely catch everyone's attention and the status that he has over everyone else. No one is more sought after than this man who's got it all.

Yet he wasn't showing any interest at all, other than looking at what was happening in his surroundings. These women are far from his type, does he have a type? Someone like his intelligent sister. 

"Milord, I wish I could receive a dance from you." A noblelady bravely asked Alexander who was drinking tea. When she opened the idea, everyone started to cry out for Alexander, wanting to dance with him as well. 

However, Alexander just placed his empty glass on the table beside him and walked away from the crowd, followed by those ladies' sad whimpers. Who could ever melt that cold heart of the young Duke? 

"It's been a while, Liam." Alexander greeted as he went next to Liam who was observing everyone. Upon seeing Alexander, a sudden hope of meeting Felicia sparked his attention however, there was no lady behind Alexander which made his shoulders fall down in disappointment. 

"Yes... It's been a while, Alexander. H-How are you?" He asked, trying to fight off an expression on his face as he shook his hand with Alexander. 

"Quite well yet not. I am still against this whole ordeal that I wish for Felicia to run away with someone." Alexander said, leaning on the wall as he watched the people dancing in the centre. 

"I see. After all, Felicia is your precious sister." Liam chuckled, also looking through the crowds as if he was waiting for someone. "Speaking of, how about you, my old friend? Is there something new in your life?" Alexander asked. 

"Hm... Yes. A lot." Liam responded, drinking the alcohol in his glass. "I'm engaged. It's the Count Leopold's daughter, Cordelia Leopold." He added, chuckling at this damn life of his. 

He had followed what the old man told him, marrying someone who didn't even make his heart flutter other than making him feel amused by the woman's intelligence. However, it was still far from Felicia's intelligence that he sought. 

"Is it fortunate? Or unfortunate? Well, my friend. Congratulations on your engagement. I hope that lucky lady will make a good wife." Alexander commented as he was astounded by the news Liam said to him. 

He didn't expect it. Even if he was older than Liam, Liam has gone first and picked someone to become his wife. How lucky of that woman to even stand beside this great man. 

Yet as he looked into Liam, discontent flashed in his eyes for a second before getting replaced with a facade, a happy one on his face. "Thanks, man, I hope you too will find someone to have in this ball." Liam joked, shrugging off the feeling. 

"No. Not ever. All these ladies just want my status, not for who I am." He responded, even acting weirdly in front of Liam, making him laugh with such a genuine expression on his face. 

"Stop it, everyone will look at us weirdly." He said, stopping Alexander from acting like a psycho before it got out of hand. Alexander chuckled and before he could even answer, the door suddenly went wide open, followed by the Herald announcing the names of those who arrived. 

"All hail to the young sun of Elysium Empire, His Royal Highness, Constantine Elizalde Leon Arden Cromwell!" The Herald announced. "Together with the Saintess of Elysium Empire, her Ladyship Helena Sweetzel del Montague from Del Montague dukedom!" The servant added. 

Everyone's eyes were fixated upon the arrival of the Saintess and the Crown Prince together, descending the stairs with the Saintess being assisted by the Crown Prince. Everyone was gossiping as they bowed their head, bewildered. 

However, as soon as they reached the bottom floor, everyone started to view Helena in a different light, like a newly bloomed lily with an innocent look, making everyone admire how beautiful the second daughter of the Duke was. 

Some were jealous as to how Helena was able to get escorted by the Crown Prince himself, while others praised the beauty she had, looking so pure and holy. As expected of the Saint! She really is the purest form of light!

However, Alexander's eyes held contempt as his hands curled into fists once again, angry at how dare the Crown Prince escorted someone else other than his own fiancee. How thick his face is for escorting Helena!

The two were enjoying conversing together with the nobles gathering them in the center. It's as if the engagement party was for the two of them, having fun and is the current centre of attraction. 

Helena was smiling sweetly in front of everyone, protected by the Baron at her side while the Crown Prince went his way towards the young gentlemen, talking to them after he escorted Helena. 

It was quite a blow for Alexander, especially since he treasures Felicia so greatly. It makes him want to push Helena towards the Crown Prince, light them up and throw their ashes at the shore for shaming Felicia like this. 

"Alexander, control your emotions. Everyone is looking at our way." Liam simply reminded him as he grabbed another shot. He was angry at how dumb Constantine could be. Felicia is an extraordinary woman and he dares to treat her like a less person.

If only his father died, he would've been the woman holding out this damn party for Felicia! This son of a bitch really dared to create a scandal right before the engagement starts? 

"Am I that scary looking?" Alexander asked, clearing his throat as he decided to smoke this feeling. If he approaches the crown Prince right now, there will be no guarantee that he will not attack him.

"You do."

"Then let me just smoke this. I need to go—"

"THE ARRIVAL OF HER LADYSHIP FELICIA VIVIENNE DEL MONTAGUE FROM THE HOUSE DEL MONTAGUE!" 

As soon as the name rang the bell, everyone started to turn their eyes towards the door, waiting for the person to come inside. 

It's as if the time has slowed when the door slowly opens, revealing the woman standing elegantly behind those massive doors, escorted by no one yet still looking so extravagant and magnificent.

The light showed in Felicia's way as she met the people's gazes, a smile spread on her lips as she slowly descended the stairs carefully steps, holding the stairs. Everyone's eyes were fixated upon the arrival of the woman, held by Herald as he had gotten some senses and escorted her carefully.

Everyone gasped, bewildered, shocked, and vexed upon seeing the lady wearing something provocative. The noble ladies have always believed that conservation will land them good husbands.

However, as they see Felicia descending the stairs with her dress showing too much skin, they realise how much of a waste being conservative was. 

The dress was designed in a body-hugging strapless type, its sleeves attached with layered fabric, openly showing her arm yet it looks like a small cape. Layered with several pieces of fabric cascading down the floor, adorned with golden trinkets, reflecting the light as it gives the shimmering look of the dress. 

Her pieces of jewellery were gold to suit the white dress covered with gold, her hair was tied up cleanly in a braided type, and some strands of her hair even fell to the side. She looked exceptional as she reached the last step, presenting herself in front of everyone whose eyes widened and still speechless.

She was the first woman who broke society's rule, to wear something that screams bold yet regal, royal, and sophisticated.

Indeed, she has stolen the show.