178 2.2.3: Debutant Party I

And she was right.

Then next couple of months, people came in and out of the mansion to prepare. For the only daughter of the Duke, everything needed to be perfect. Her debut to high society was a once in a lifetime opportunity that depicted how people thought of her. If there was even a minor error, there would always be people that would remember when she invited to other social outings.

For her benefit, the Duchess has spared no expenses and had even personally gone to speak with the Queen. Long ago, when she had lost her daughter, the Queen had promised to owe the Duchess one favor. Yes she had no obligation to owe the Duchess a favor as she was socially below her nor did she have more authority than her, but the Queen did it for reasons. First and foremost, the Duchess was a friend from before marriage. Anything they did as young ladies was etched in her memories, so she couldn't forget her friend even if she wanted to. Next, she felt partially responsible for the loss of her daughter. Morally, since the Duchess couldn't avenge her daughter, she had to do something to appease her.

And that's where the favor came in.

Years and years had gone by, the Queen forgetting that she ever made such a promise, but the visit from the Duchess had changed her entire perspective. What was a casual tea invitation had stunned the Queen to remember that she did, in fact, make such a promise. And as a royal, it was disgraceful to pretend that she didn't or not uphold her promise of the favor, so she agreed.

Yet who would've thought that the favor the Queen thought would be manipulated, would be so simple yet so difficult?

The Duchess has merely requested for her eldest son, Adriel, to escort the Warrington daughter in her debutant party. As a Queen, she needed to maintain her promise...but as a mother, she was mortified. Her eldest son, the crown prince, was to escort the illegitimate daughter of a commoner!? This was disgraceful by every means, and she couldn't respond.

Any request would've not been as severe as this ridiculous one. The Duchess has made it seem so pure but it was a request that was quite heavy to swallow.

This confused the Queen because she knew how much the Duchess cared for her deceased daughter, so to suddenly care for one that didn't even share her blood...it was odd. Why was she doing so much, even using up a single favor that could be used for so much more, on someone that harmed her reputation as a wife?

Nevertheless, the Queen agreed. Her dignity as a queen outweighed her dignity as a mother.

"Mother, I'm busy." Adriel was a man of few words, but they were always direct and to the point.

"Yes, I understand. But I owe Duchess Warrington a favor. As the queen, I cannot go against my word. She has requested for you to escort her...daughter." The Queen calmly spoke, sipping her tea. "I'm sure it was the daughter who wanted this, so consider her infatuated with you. As a future king, you'll have plenty of women throwing themselves at you. This...is a trial?" No matter how much the Queen tried to persuade, it just rubbed off wrongly on Adriel. Adriel didn't want to deal with a spoiled girl from high society but also didn't want his mother to be disrespected.

In the end, all he could was agree. It was only for one party...it shouldn't be that bad. He would also make sure to reject her so she wouldn't get anymore emotional intent towards him.

In return, the Queen said that she would promise him one favor as well. Adriel didn't understand why his mother kept promising people favors as the queen, which could potentially be used against her in the future. But, due to how guilty she felt for practically selling her son off, she insisted and all he could do was agree.

So, the Queen went a letter to the Duchess, letting her know that her eldest son had agreed to escort her daughter. This made the preparations even more fervent and the chaotic atmosphere in the mansion turned a degree more severe. Xiao Yunhua didn't have to do anything except have her measurements taken for the perfect dress, tossed around like a rag doll everywhere the Duchess ordered. Her jewelry was to be crafted and her silky, blonde hair was conditioned with natural shampoos every day, making it even more luscious.

She didn't understand why this was such a big deal, especially to the Duchess. Did she plan to do all of this for her own daughter's debutant party? It couldn't have been as simple as caring for Violetta, that much Xiao Yunhua was sure of. The murderous glint in the eyes of the Duchess still haunted her when she tried to choke her. How could such an evil woman suddenly care about her?

She suddenly missed Dominic.

He was a dear friend and she always enjoyed conversing with him. All this time, the only people she could see were the servants and her family at meal times. Even Augustine, who was a decent alternative to her friend, she couldn't see as much because he was busy too. Hence, she was lonely. Even during her isolation period, she wasn't lonely because she was rebelling. Now, however, she was just a doll being moved everywhere and trying on different things. She couldn't see anything nor anyone despite her 'freedom' and she couldn't see her dear friend because she had restricted herself. One, for his heart to forget about her...two, for her heart to forget about him.

All of this preparation finally lead to the day of the debutant ball, where she was woken up very early to be prepared for the big day. Her eyes were still red from the sleepless night and her palms were sweaty.

From what she gathered the past couple of months, this was a big deal.