Chapter 3 Debut

It's the day of my debut and I am currently waiting for my name to be called for them to open the door for me. When my name was announced I stepped inside the ballroom as the door opened for me.

I would love to smile at the visitors but I do not have the energy to feel happy. As I've through the dozens of visitors, I could their whispers about me.

"I thought she was ugly?"

"She is beautiful but I heard she has problems"

"She doesn't look crazy"

"Her looks are not what I expected"

I look a lot more than my father. You can say I am his female version. I'm nervous that I feel like I will fall from these high heels any minute. I could feel the eyes of all the people behind my back especially my mother who was watching my every move. Like a predator who will eat me alive if I show any weakness.

I stood at the side of the hall waiting for this pretense to start and finally, they announced the name of my mother and lastly my father.

"Enters Duke Blanche" At the mention of his voice the door opened and he entered full of pride. Little did they know that the duke that they respected so much was a monster.

"I am truly thankful for all of you who made time to come here to celebrate my youngest daughter's birthday. I won't take too much of your time let this party begin, enjoy everyone" My father announced like he was someone who cared for his daughter.

The music started and that was the sign for the first dance. My father made his way towards me and bowed gracefully. I did the same and offered my hand to him. I cannot imagine that after everything there is still a chance that I can experience a dance with my father. After the dance with my father, my brother Erick became my second partner.

I gasped as my brother pulled me closer to him. He laughed and came near to my ear. "Ready to get married my youngest sister?" He asked with a mocking voice.

"If it's mean I will be leaving here, I am much more ready" I replied and gave him my warmest smile.

He looked shocked at my response and his expression instantly changed into disgust. "You are crazy," He said and that was when the music stopped. We bowed to each other and both left in different ways. I made me to our garden to breathe because if I won't leave there even for a minute I will suffocate.

I removed my heels and walked around the garden. As I saw the pond, I sat down and looked at my reflection. I was enjoying watching my reflection when I heard something move in the bushes behind my back.

"Geez, why do I have to come here in the first place?!" A man who is wearing a wonderful suit, removing the leaves that were stuck into his clothes.

I laughed at him, realizing I laughed out loud I immediately covered my mouth. He looked at me confused and then walked closer to me.

"Do you know where the party is being held, as you can see, I'm a bit lost" He said.

I pointed the way to our hall and he nodded. He left without even saying thank you but remembering his face while grumbling about being lost, I can't help but laugh at him.

"My lady! Thank goodness you're alright" Katy shouted while catching her breath. It seems it's my time to head back.

"Sorry Katy, is there something that happened while I was gone?" I asked while wiping off the dust on my feet before wearing my heels again.

"Your mother is going hysterical! The second prince has arrived" She said and I gasped. I need to be there, my mother will gonna kill me if I don't greet the prince as the debutante.

We have arrived at the door, breathing heavily. I stopped for a moment before going in and Katy fixed my look and dress to look presentable enough.

I inhaled and exhaled my breath one more time. Katy opened the door and I walked in while eyeing where my family was. As I saw them walking towards the second prince to greet him, I walked faster than I could and arrived behind the twins. My father side-eyed me and gave me a stern look. I gulped as I felt nervous when the second prince noticed us. My father and mother's faces became warmer and gave their brightest smile to the prince.

The prince smirked at them and we all bowed to greet the second prince. "Greetings to our prince," My father said.

"Ah Duke Blanche, it's nice to see you again," Prince Edward said while tapping my father's shoulder.

My father then signaled me to come closer and I did as he wanted. "This is our youngest, the debutante" Father introduced me and I bowed to the prince. "Greetings to our prince" I greeted and he looked at me with cold eyes.

"Hmm, very different from the rumors," Prince Edward said and my father coughed.

"And this is my daughter Corina" Father changed the topic and introduced his daughter. He introduced me as the youngest and now he introduced my sister as his daughter. It seems that he does not see me as his daughter after all.

Corina smiled sweetly at the prince, she even forgot to greet the prince properly but the prince looked at me and smiled. I shivered at his look and tried looking elsewhere.

"Did your youngest apply as one of the candidates for being my future wife?" Prince Edward asked my father.

My father was shocked at his question and gave me another look. I gulped as the situation right now is not that good. I don't like where the conversation is headed.

"No, Your Highness, she is going to have a wedding after the debutante" My father immediately answered and informed the prince about my wedding.

"Is that so? To whom?" Prince Edward asked, trying to discern if the person he would be marrying was someone he could talk to. As I've predicted, this conversation is heading elsewhere and I think my sister's look at me is going to kill me.

"Unfortunately Prince Edward, she will be my soon-to-be duchess in the north"

My eyes grew big at the words, as I looked behind me to take a glance at the man who just talked. I was shocked to see the man I encountered in the garden. He handsomely walked toward us and greeted the prince with a familiarity. The Prince coughed and laughed.

"How unfortunate. I hope I'll be invited to your wedding." He said to the man.

My father then stood in front of Prince Edward's sight. "Now our prince, why not we continue our conversation elsewhere and leave the two alone" He invited the Prince and they all left.

I sighed in relief and the man that I encountered laughed at me. I looked at him with confusion. "You look like you were suffocating," He said.

"I uh" I can't manage to find any more words to say to him. He is the Grand Duke in the North. The one they called a monster, my soon-to-be husband.

"Excuse my manners, my lady. My name is Arthur Lionel, the Grand Duke of the North"