The day of the banquet came far too soon. Granted it was only a few days later, but that doesn't really change my way of thinking. I wasn't ready at all, mentally speaking.
My heartbeat was gradually rising as the day progressed. I sat on the edge of my bed, twisted my fingers together, barely able to think.
What would my family do?
They had already shown that an archduke couldn't stop their arrogance before finally getting thrown out. Could anything stop what they were planning tonight? Would they try to poison me by slipping something into my drink?
What about using some kind of way to cause me to sleep and stage an awful scene with another man, making me look like I'd betrayed Noah?
I could also get assassinated or, even more annoying, kidnapped. There were so many options with little information on what will actually happen, too many outcomes to prepare for.
To say I was terrified would be a drastic understatement.
"I'll just have to be Noah's shadow tonight," I whispered to myself, clutching my chest. "Whether he likes it or not, I will become his own personal jewelry accessory on his arm." It's for my safety!
Despite my panic, Livia handled everything with calm, gentle precision.
She'd laid out a gown that was pure elegance. Deep emerald green with silver embroidery down the sleeves and just enough sparkles to say I'm important without screaming desperately.
Livia also offered to do my makeup, but I told her I only wanted it lightly done. This body had natural beauty, and I had no interest in caking that crap on my face. Especially in such an era where beauty supplies could have dangerous chemicals used in them.
Ever since I was Seraphina, I've never had to do my own makeup, so it was interesting watching someone do it for me. This was also the first time in my life I was fully dolled up, like some proper noble girl.
When I finally stood at the top of the grand staircase, I almost didn't recognize myself. Livia bowed behind me, murmuring a quiet "good luck."
As I started descending the stairs, I couldn't help but think back to teen movies where these types of scenes were very popular. I wonder what song would be playing for my slow-motion walk down the stairs.
I couldn't help but chuckle at the thought as I looked down at the waiting Noah. He looked up, and his expression instantly changed. It wasn't big when compared to others, but for this man it was like his whole world just exploded.
His mouth opened slightly, like he had forgotten to breathe. I felt extremely pleased with that because I knew how amazingly beautiful I was when I saw myself in the mirror. I'm still not sure how I feel when he's looking at me with such desire in his eyes.
We each gave each other a comment on how the other looked, and then he stuck out his arm for me to grab. I took it without hesitation, completely taken by the moment.
The carriage ride was quiet at first, until I turned to him and spilled everything.
"I'm scared; I keep thinking about all these ways my family could mess with me tonight. They could drug me, kidnap me, or slip me something that could ruin everything."
Noah didn't interrupt and just kept letting me talk.
"The crown prince is another obstacle," I added. "I don't trust him. The way he looked at me, he's going to eventually do something, and they always attack when the female lead is alone! It's like a rule. So…"
I grabbed his sleeve with force. "Please don't leave me alone at this banquet."
He didn't chuckle or tease me but looked serious.
Noah smiled softly and nodded. "Fine," he said. "Your male lead will make sure to attend to you all night."
I froze and then laughed because the situation was so crazy I had to find some relief somehow.
"Did you seriously just say that?"
He only smirked. "You're the one who brought up story logic. I'm just playing my role."
Of course those words would get me to smile as I gripped his arm a little tighter, feeling much safer and less afraid of tonight's events.
Getting off the carriage felt like walking into a dream or maybe a movie premiere. The royal palace was glowing under lantern light, the steps lined with guards in shining armor, and nobles in every direction adorned in silks, gold, gemstones, and feathers.
It was the definition of high society, and somehow I was here in the middle of it.
I took Noah's arm like I was supposed to as we walked along like some practiced couple that belonged here, but inside, I was screaming. My grip only tightened with every step across the polished floor.
Constant whispers surrounded us. Some hushed, most purposely loud enough so we would hear it. Bitches…
"Is that her? The Durel girl?"
"She's not even from a probably noble line, is she?"
"Why would he choose her?"
"I have to admit he's never looked at any other girl like that before."
The last comment I heard made me freeze slightly. I glanced up at Noah, who was currently looking down at me. His eyes were soft and focused, like I was the only person he cared about in this sea of glass and lies.
I blinked once and then gave him a small, awkward smile before I looked away quickly. My only joy at this moment was imagining his face, and I didn't want to die of blushing just yet.
Then I saw them, my breath caught in my throat, that horrible birth family. The bastard father, the bitch stepmother, and the evil demonic stepsister Evelyne were all looking my way with faces that said they wanted to rip me apart.
They stood together near a far wall, dressed in their finest, all masked in smiles and nobility. But their eyes told an extremely different story.
Evelyne's calculated gaze wouldn't leave me. If looks could murder someone on the spot, I'd already be six feet under. My body stiffened, and instincts took over.
I released Noah and wrapped his arm around my body, practically gluing myself to his side like a makeshift shield.
"My family's here," I muttered quickly, still facing away from them. "They don't look friendly."
Noah's gaze flicked towards them, cold and sharp. I felt his arm tighten around me, and then, before I could panic, he pulled me gently into a side hug. The energy he was giving off was very calm, possessive, and protective towards me.
It was a clear message to all those in attendance that I was his, so don't bother her. I'm practically untouchable when he's around; at least that's how I feel for now.
I exhaled slowly. But before I could let the tension fade, I spotted a group of nobles walking towards us. Perfect posture, smiles, and fake as hell.
I straightened as they approached, my heart picking up speed. It's show time.
The nobles approaching us had that unmistakable look, all powdered faces and sculpted grins, stiff postures wrapped in silk and ego. Every step they took seemed calculated to make their presence loud without raising their voices.
All their eyes were aimed directly at me, and they weren't kind either. Their smiles didn't reach their eyes for obvious reasons; nobles were pretty much full-time actors. Their glances skimmed over me like I was a misplaced servant who had wandered too close to the royal buffet.
Judgment radiated off them in waves. Lowborn, plain, loud, and just wrong for their world—these were just my interpretations of what they were thinking, but probably not far off.
Noah stood tall beside me, composed as ever. He was my solid pillar that I've strapped myself to, refusing to let go and stay under the shade of my personal protector.
As I looked forward towards those bastards, I couldn't help but see their expressions change slightly. Is my big doggy sending them eyes that say he would kill them if they said anything wrong to me? I can only hope hehe.
The nobles paused before us. One man gave a small bow to Noah. Another older woman gave a polite nod. The rest mostly just looked between the two of us like they couldn't believe we were real.
They, of course, didn't even acknowledge my presence, and just when I thought it couldn't get any more irritating, they arrived.
There were three girls that all had very beautiful, pristine, perfectly polished appearances. Elegant dresses, feathers in their hair, and fans being held like weapons in front of their faces—I personally wanted to barf.
Without even acknowledging me, just like the others, they approached Noah, smiling like they were meeting their long-lost soul mate.
"Oh, Lord Velmoure," one cooed. "You've been so distant lately. We all feared you'd forgotten us!"
"Here you are," said the second, brushing her curls behind her ear with exaggerated grace. "You're looking as handsome as ever, Your Excellency."
"I do hope we'll get the chance to dance tonight," added the third with a flutter of her lashes.
Not even one of them looked my way; so fake. I was literally being held tightly by the man they were flirting with. This is the definition of no shame.
For a long while as they talked about nothing, I just stood still and silent. Then I smiled, getting an idea.
"Well," I said, my voice syrupy and bright, "aren't you all just stunning?"
They blinked a few times at my sudden interruption, completely catching them off guard. I stepped forward slightly, chin tilted innocently. "I don't think I've ever seen a hairstyle quite like that before." I said to the second girl, who had her hair curled so tightly it looked like a rolled-up wig.
"Is that some kind of dog breed reference, or…?
The fan in her hand snapped shut. Noah let out a sharp laugh, real, amused, and completely unfiltered. Something none of these fake girls could accomplish in the last ten minutes I listened to their garbage attempts to steal him away from me.
The girl's face flushed red with fury, and the ones with her looked annoyed. Me? I just kept smiling to piss them off to the highest degree possible, like I hadn't done a single thing wrong.
I mean, I really hadn't done anything. They ignored me first by pretending I didn't even exist in their world. Now… they were pissed that I bit back. Nobles are always the worst kind of person.
They can dish it out, but gods forbid someone dents their porcelain egos; they will riot and act like you just killed their whole family.
Of course they weren't done with me as they scanned up and down trying to find a flaw. One of them leaned toward the other, whispered something, and they all laughed.
Then one spoke up, voice light and cutting.
"Those shoes…" she said, letting her gaze drop dismissively. "Do you have no shame to wear something so ordinary to such an important gathering?"
What the hell, isn't this my engagement party? Shouldn't I be able to wear whatever I'm comfortable with? Then, my lips curled into a grin before I even realized it.
"Well," I said, "at least my feet and ankles feel amazing tonight. No need to suffer."
Her brow twitched, caught off guard with such a weird response, I'm sure.
I stepped out of my safe space and two steps closer to these bitches. "I mean, sure, maybe high heels make you taller or complete the look. But I prefer to be comfortable over fashionable torture devices."
Once again I got another rise out of Noah, who started laughing at my words. Increasing the hate-filled eyes I was receiving from these three girls and others in the large banquet hall that were currently paying attention to us.
The girls all froze, staring at him in disbelief. The Archduke was usually reserved and unreadable; was he really laughing right now at their expense? To him I was the only entertaining person in the room. I felt some pride at that.
Then, as if to rub salt into their already festering wounds, Noah spoke.
"But hey, if your feet do hurt after standing all night, Sera…" He turned to me. "I'd be happy to give you a massage later."
My brain stopped working for a second as I stared at him in surprise and delight at the fact he hit those stupid girls with such an exclamation mark.
At the same time, I couldn't tell if that was a joke or if he was really flirting with me and would follow through with that promise. Is this man of the same mind as the male me in my past life?
The thought made me giggle before I could stop it, and that made things even worse.
The girls stared at us, one twitching, another pale, and the last in tears. Thankfully for these pathetic girls, trumpets sounded, interrupting everyone's current conversations.
I was in awe as the crowd parted as if Moses was here personally doing the job. Of course it was King Elric Duskmoor who would make such an entrance.
He wore no crown tonight, just a royal sash and the presence of a lion in human form. His voice boomed across the chamber as he approached.
"Lord Noah Velmoure and Lady Seraphina Durel, come forth.
Noah stepped forward without hesitation, his arm finding mine effortlessly as we walked to the front of the hall.
We stood at the king's side, and then he spoke up loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Tonight's banquet," he declared, "is to celebrate the official engagement of Archduke Noah Velmoure and Lady Seraphina Durel!"
The crowd clapped and murmured about what was just said. I'm sure it's all praise, and nothing bad is being said about this announcement. I scoffed inwardly.
Then the king said something I wasn't expecting.
"Their wedding shall take place in two months time!"
My heart stopped. Wait... what? We hadn't even set a date or even discussed it yet.
I glanced sideways at Noah, who didn't so much as blink at the King's decision. This was news to me as the fake nobles cheered for a wedding none of them even wanted to attend.
Should I be excited at such news? Did I even truly want this?
Something else was brewing inside me. What if I was starting to accept it, my fate in this world?