Chapter 82

(2 weeks before the ball)

"Princess, should you pick jewelry that will match your dress?" Bea asked,

Nash was currently reading a book while sitting on Dopey's bed, where Dopey was asleep beside her.

"Hm... Can you then prepare all the jewelry I have?"

"Yes, Princess,"

As Bea fetched all the jewelry and started to place them on Nash's bed, Nash stood up and watched Bea arranging the jewelry.

"How come the earrings are so big?" Nash asked as she looked at the earring, which was either very long or big. "Please remove all the necklace that circles my neck, it looks suffocating. Leave those dangling necklaces."

"As you wish," Bea removed all the necklace Nash disapproved of and left 10 more necklace on her bed.

"Have you seen a small box before? I put it inside my drawer but it's not there."

"Ah yes! The one that appears to be a birthday present?"

"Yes, that is" Bea went to Nash's wooden chest box that was hidden inside her wardrobe. "Here you go, princess."

Nash opened it and saw a pear shape ruby earrings surrounded with white crystals. It was the gift Aizzle given her. "Find a jewelry that goes with this one,"

"But this is not ex--" Nash looked at Bea, "I apologize, I will find a match."

As Nash examined the box, she became intrigued as to why it was so thick for only an earring inside; she then removed the earrings and the holder and discovered a necklace that matched the earrings.

The necklace, which was coupled with the earrings, was a pear shaped ruby surrounded by white crystal pendant, which was larger than the earrings.

"Forget about finding a pair."

"Huh?" Bea looked back,

"It comes with a necklace as well; I'll use it, so remove everything and store it again."

"Are you sure, princess? Isn't that too simple?"

"It's fine, it's just a celebratory ball, not my own ball." Nash responded, "Maybe I'll put a bit of aura inside to brighten it..."

Nash imbued the jewelry with an aura and made it sparkle. From a distance, it appears that something is moving inside the necklace, which will entice others to look at it.

"However, your name will be announced at that ball, princess."

"It's fine, I will still look elegant in front, don't worry"

Bea sighed, "As you wish, princess."

As soon as Bea finished storing the jewels back, she left in the order of Nash.

"Haa... I'm nervous," Nash muttered as she sat on her bed.

....

It was a nice sunny afternoon, and Nash was sitting calmly under a tree, looking out at the pond located behind their palace.

'Katherine didn't visit at all...'

"What are you doing here?"

"And what about you?"

Nash didn't bother turning around as she recognized the voice of some who frequently visit the palace.

"I heard you're here, so I came as well," Owen sat by Nash, gazing at the pond, which sparkled in the sunlight.

"Have you been well?" Owen looked at Nash, "I'm just asking, don't look at me like that is something I don't ask."

Owen chuckled, "No, it's only that I was here the other day, but I've been well. Are you ready for the ball tomorrow?"

Nash let out a sigh. She had a worried expression on her face as she stared at Owen. "You know, I've been imagining many scenarios for what might happen during the ball."

"You're overthinking things; just think of it as a birthday celebration."

Nash slapped Owen's back, "It's my first ball! Who wouldn't be nervous?!"

"That hurts!"

"You should've avoided it,"

"Tsk. Father was asking who your partner would be."

"Secret, you'll see tomorrow night."

"You should've simply asked for me. You know I'm the finest partner?" Owen appeared smug in front of Nash, but Nash gazed at him blankly.

"You like me?"

Owen's smug expression faded and he reddened, "W..What the hell are you saying?!"

Nash scoffed, "I'm just asking, you don't have to overreact."

Owen's face is still red, so Nash teased him more, "Ohh... you do like me, don't you?"

"I don't!"

"Okay okay... I'll let you dance with me tomorrow!" Nash patted Owen's head.

"I told you I don't like you." He smacked Nash's hand away.

"I know... don't worry," Nash pinched Owen's cheeks, "How cute."

Owen smacked Nash's hand and stood up.

"Are you leaving?"

"I am, and so?"

"I'm coming with you," Nash stood up and wiped her dress.

"Why?!" He exclaimed, making Nash flinched.

"What the hell?"

"Sorry,"

"That's fine, let's go and play," Nash crossed her arm around his. Owen was taken aback and looked at Nash's arm. Making his face flushed more.

"Remove your arms!"

"Don't want to. Let's go to the training grounds!"

"What?!"

Nash dragged him to the training grounds, where a few knights were being trained under Benj, Nash's previous trainer.

"Sir Benj!" Nash waved her hand. The knights bowed in respect and greeted Nash.

"What brings you here, your highness?"

"Do you have some wooden swords?"

"We do, why?"

"We're here to duel!"

"What?! I didn't heard about this!" Owen said and forcibly removed Nash's arm, "You could get hurt, the celebration is tomorrow night."

"That's why we're using wooden swords, duh. Don't be such a bull,"

"Bull?"

"Shit," Nash laughed and then stopped when Owen flicked her forehead.

"Here you go, your highness," Benj said as he handed Nash the two wooden swords.

"Why did you give her a sword?"

"Don't worry, my lord, she won't cause any trouble."

"That's because she's the trouble herself," Owen stated, glaring at Nash, who was now chuckling. "Tsk. Only a few minutes,"

"Assa!" Nash dragged him in an empty space away from the knights training. "Please don't mind us!"

"You're wearing a dress, are you sure you can move freely?"

"Of course, let's get started. I'm looking for some distractions from my overthinking."

'I miss holding a sword, I didn't even use my sword during the war.'

Owen sighed, "Just a few minutes, okay?"

Nash smiled and nodded.

...

"Where are the two kids?" Duke Eiler asked, they're all in the garden having some snacks.

"They're in the training grounds, My Lord," A dark knight said,

"Since when?" Ivelisse asked as she sips her tea,

"A little over an hour ago, your Majesty."

"Vernon, call for them. Tell them to go here and have some snacks."

"As you wish," Vernon was about to leave when a shout was heard.

"You're all here?!"

Nash and Owen stood in front of their family, sweating and filthy.

"You look dirty," Vincenzo said, looking at her sister.

"Because we just finished a duel." Nash took a seat in front of Duke Eiler, and Owen took a seat next to her.

"Why don't you change your clothes first?" Celeste said, glaring at Nash.

Nash pouted, "Later, it's just us here. It's completely normal, right, Uncle?" Nash said, looking at the Duke.

"Uncle?" Roven said,

Duke Eiler flinched and averted his gaze,

"Uncle told me to call him Uncle so I did."

"You're just doing what others told you to do?"

"What's wrong with that, father? Aren't I obedient?"

"Don't call him uncle, he'll think our family are close enough," Roven said and sipped his tea, Ivelisse beside him was just chuckling.

"I'm your best friend!" Duke Eiler exclaimed. Roven looked at him with a straight face.

"How childish,"

"Huh?!"

"Aren't you going to drink?" Owen asked. Nash shook her head and continued on eating a cookie.

"I don't drink tea, not my type," she said and looked at the two oldies fighting each other, "I have something to tell you, father."

"What is it?"

"I'm pregnant"

All of the ones in the garden all look at Nash in shock, the men in the families are frowning, especially Roven.

"What!?" They exclaimed.

"Just kidding," Nash said with a straight face and drank some iced chocolate.

The people present looked at her with their mouths gaped.

"You're too noisy."

"Still, how could you joke like that?!" Celeste exclaimed.

Nash chuckled, "What the? Did you truly think I'd get pregnant? I've been locked up inside the palace for months, I can't be pregnant during the war, I've been stabbed twice in the stomach, I'm not even sure if I could get pregnant after that."

'Man, these people are so.... so.'

"Enough with those pregnant talks, Are you prepared for tomorrow?" Duke Eiler asked,

"I've cleared up my mind during our duel."

"What will you do if you hear vulgar words?"

"Then I'll answer back with a vulgar word HAHAHAHA"

"Nash," the Imperial Family said solemnly.

"Sorry." she said, immediately. "I'm not sure, but I'm sure I will think of what to say while in that atmosphere."

"Hm... I'm expecting such breathtaking words from you if you ever were engaged with rude people."

"Then, please expect more," She said and started grinning, "By the way, Uncle"

"What is it?"

Nash pointed at Owen, "I think your son likes me."

Owen choked on his drink as his face flushed making Nash laugh, "I said I don't!"

"Really?" Ivelisse chuckled and looked bright as if it was nothing, but Roven beside her was glaring at Owen.

Even Nash's siblings began to examine Owen.

"Is that why you frequently hang here?" Daniel asked.

"No! She's just making fun of me!"

Nash laughed as Owen began to have cold sweats.