Bang! Bang!
I groaned, pulling the pillow over my head.
"Please, stop... I want to sleep!," I mumbled.
Bang! Bang!
No peace. Of course. Why would this universe ever listen to me?
I dragged myself out of bed like a tired old zombie. Every part of me ached like I'd been beaten in my sleep. I stumbled to the door, eyes half shut, heart full of regret for even getting up.
The second the door creaked open, I blinked— There stood Akari, hands on hips, two maids flanking her like guards, and beside them was a man with big round glasses, a pouch in one hand and measuring tape hanging around his neck like a fashion snake.
"You're still sleeping, cousin Rin?" Akari's voice was a little too cheerful for the hour.
I rubbed my eyes. "I was… then someone decided to break my door down." I sighed. "What do you want, cousin Akari?"
Maybe—just maybe—if I closed my eyes hard enough, they'd all vanish.
"The tailor's here to take your measurements," she said brightly. "For the engagement!"
I stared at her. "Which engagement?"
She rolled her eyes. "Your engagement to the Ice Queen, duh!"
Right. Like I could forget her. She's been living in my brain lately—but not in the romantic way everyone thinks.
I groaned and leaned on the doorframe. "Akari, I just want five more minutes of sleep." I started to shut the door—
But the tailor stuck his foot between the frame.
"What the—?" I gasped, pushing the door harder, but he didn't budge.
"Miss Rin," the tailor said with a sweet voice that didn't match his actions. "I don't have all day. And honestly, I was dragged here in fear. If you let me take your measurements, I promise you can crawl right back into bed."
I looked at him. Then at Akari. Then at the maids, who looked way too eager to see me in royal outfits.
I sighed again. A long, painful sigh that carried all my soul in it.
"Ahhhhh… fine."
I opened the door and stepped aside.
Let the royal circus begin.
.....
"Okay, I'm all done. The dress will be ready by tomorrow," the tailor said, rolling up his measuring tape and stuffing it into his pouch.
"No, I want it tonight," Akari replied without missing a beat.
The tailor blinked. "That's not possible, young lady. Tomorrow morning was the deal. And you never said the engagement was tomorrow."
"Well," Akari said sweetly, flipping her long hair over her shoulder, "I changed my mind. Tonight."
She took a step closer to him, eyes sharp, smile even sharper. "I won't be the one telling the Ice Queen that you failed to get the engagement dress ready. Oh, I wonder what she'd do…"
The tailor's smile froze. A drop of sweat slid down the side of his face. "No need to involve her! Tonight it is. I-I will send it tonight," he stammered. Then—poof!—he vanished like smoke.
My mouth dropped. "Wow… That's new."
Akari grinned like a kid who just won a prize. "Yeah, something I picked up from Rei."
I barely touched the bed before she clapped her hands. "Okay! Let's have breakfast. Everyone is waiting!"
"But I was told I could go back to sleep," I groaned, grabbing my blanket like it could save me.
Too late.
She grabbed my hand and yanked me up like I weighed nothing. "Everyone's awake now. Go wash your face, meet me in the dining room. After breakfast, we're heading to the Maiden Club—just us girls. It'll be fun!"
She twirled out of the room with the maids trailing behind like little ducks.
I sat on the bed, defeated.
So much for sleep.
I looked around my room—the silken sheets, the gold curtains, the giant closet filled with clothes I didn't pick. This life still doesn't feel like mine.
If I could just go back to my real world…
I'd sleep as long as I wanted.
No wedding talks. No Selene. No tailor popping out of nowhere. Even the Star cross love looks okay.
But here I am—being measured, dragged, and dressed for a future I didn't ask for.
Still… why is Akari putting in so much effort for this wedding?
"Wow, this food looks so yummy," I muttered as I stared at the breakfast in front of me. My mouth was already watering.
And today, I got to sit beside Master Hoshino — wow, so much pampering, all because I'm getting married to the Ice Queen.
"Do you want me to feed you again, Rin?" Shion asked from beside me.
No matter where I sat in this huge dining room, Shion always found a way to sit beside me.
"Huh?" My face turned red. "No! I was just about to take my first bite!" I said quickly, nervous.
"Eat up, then. You need to stay healthy. I don't want you getting sick again," she said with a soft smile before going back to her food.
"Akari, how are the engagement plans going?" Master Hoshino asked.
"Cousin Rin's dress will be ready tonight," Akari said proudly. "I've arranged the venue and the food menu. And Sister Shion already sent out the invitations, Father."
"Good. Nothing should go wrong. I want a perfect event," he said in a serious tone.
"Yes, Father. Everything will be perfect," Akari replied, still smiling.
After breakfast, Akari and I — with the guards behind us — were heading to the Maiden Club, just like we planned.
"Where are you going?" Shion's voice stopped us in the hallway.
"Uh, we're going out. To the Maiden Club, Sister," Akari said, holding my arm. I gave a small awkward laugh.
But then Shion pulled me away from Akari and held me by her side.
"What are you doing?" Akari said, confused.
"She's with me today," Shion said firmly, holding my hand tightly.
"What? You never spend time with us, and now you're acting all weird?" Akari snapped.
"I said—she's with me today," Shion repeated, not letting go of me.
"No, she's with me," Akari said back, grabbing my other arm.
And just like that, I was caught in the middle of a tug-of-war.
"Let go, Sister," Shion said.
"No, you let go of her hand!" Akari argued back.
What is even going on? Why am I always the center of attention?
"She's with me today."
That voice. That cold, calm voice. My chest tightened.
Selene.
They both froze but didn't let go of my hands. Slowly, we all turned to see her.
Wow… new dress, hair tied up perfectly, face glowing, lips soft pink… and that smile. That charming, dangerous smile.
What is happening to me?!