Chapter 12
1505 Words
CHAPTER 12
“You look very beautiful, my Lady,” Mia said as she looked at Tatiana with soft eyes.
Tatiana smiled at her and looked at herself in the mirror.
She is wearing a light ash blue off-shoulder dress with a flowy skirt and tight bodice. The pale flesh of her cleavage enchanted the viewer and the curves of her body cinched into a small waistline. In addition, her shiny silver hair and clear pale skin made the dress multitudes of times more valuable.
She is also wearing a diamond necklace that sat on her slim neck and emphasized her beautiful sparkling purple eyes.
Tatiana twirled around for a bit. Even after a year she still can’t get used to Tatiana’s incomparable beauty, and tonight she is even more beautiful. Tatiana is indeed the most beautiful lady of the Alvania Empire.
“My Lady, His Highness has arrived.” Anne, who just entered the room, announced.
Tatiana turned to her and nodded.
“I’ll go down in a minute.”
Tatiana looked at herself in the mirror for the last time and sighed.
Today is the day of the victory banquet. The banquet is where everything will begin.
She has been preparing for this day to come, and it has finally arrived. Although Tatiana feels very nervous, she is ready to face whatever might happen tonight.
I just hope everything will turn out great.
Tatiana took a deep breath before she turned around and head towards the door. The clicking of her heels on the marbled floor where the only thing she could hear as she walked along the corridor and down to the entrance, where the Crown Prince is waiting.
It has been several days since she last saw the Crown Prince. She last saw him when she visited him in the Palace and suggested nullifying their engagement. Since then, they never saw each other again and only exchanged letters to talk about the banquet.
Why do I feel nervous seeing him again?
Tatiana thought to herself as she slowly walked down the grand staircase.
The Crown Prince is her partner for tonight, whether she liked it or not. Technically, their engagement is still on because she still hasn’t asked the emperor yet. But it is unlikely for the prince to personally invite her to be his partner and even went as far as picking her up from her residence.
If it is the usual Crown Prince who disliked Tatiana, he should just be waiting for her in the venue and Tatiana would have to ride with her parents and brother to the banquet. That was what happened in the novel as well.
Tatiana shook her head and decided not to think more of it. She has a lot more important matters to focus on where her life and her family’s life depend on. As long as the Crown Prince does not meddle with her plans, then everything must be okay.
At the bottom of the staircase, Tatiana saw Noah who was just standing there on his white knight suit. He was wearing a red cape over his shoulder, and his jet-black hair was neatly styled.
Tatiana has to pause to take in the breathtaking scenery of him just standing. How can someone look hot and handsome at the same time!
On the other hand, Noah was waiting below the staircase. Similar to Tatiana, he is also feeling jittery while thinking of meeting Tatiana again.
Noah felt confused about his actions. He wasn’t usually like this—not to Tatiana or to any other girl.
What is this I am feeling?
Before he could think any more, he heard the sound of someone approaching. Noah looked up and saw Tatiana.
Suddenly, the time must have slowed down as he watched Tatiana walked down the staircase. His mind went black and can only think of one thing: beautiful...
“Greetings, your highness.” Noah snapped back from his thoughts. Tatiana is now right in front of him and giving him a small curtsy.
Noah cleared his throat before he answered.
“U-uh yes. Good evening, my lady.” he stuttered and reached for her gloved hand and kissed the back of it.
Tatiana felt her cheeks turned red at his actions.
“You look beautiful, Anastasia,” Noah added.
Tatiana was shocked to hear his compliment. Noah never said those words to the original Tatiana in the novel, but why is he saying that now to her? Also, he called her Anastasia again.
“You don’t look bad yourself, Your Highness.” Tatiana complimented back. It is not a lie though. He looked very stunning tonight.
Noah smiled at her and offered his arm to her. Tatiana accepted it and they both walked towards their carriage.
In no time, they were on their way to the Palace for the banquet.
Inside the carriage, no one was talking. Tatiana was looking outside the window, while Noah was staring at her intently.
Tatiana could feel his hot gaze on her, and that made her feel uncomfortable. But she didn’t show it and instead continued on ignoring him.
What is she thinking? Noah thought to himself.
He was looking at Tatiana who is silently seating in front of him and was only looking outside the window. She looked like she had a lot in her mind, and Noah was curious to know about it.
“Are you okay, Anastasia?” Noah can’t help himself and ask. Tatiana turned to look at him, her brows furrowed.
“Can you stop calling me that name? Please call me Lady Tatiana, your highness.” Tatiana just said, with a hint of annoyance in her voice.
Noah smirked at her response.
“Why? I remember you used to like it a lot when I call you Anastasia.” Noah responded.
Tatiana stopped herself from rolling her eyes.
Of course, the original Tatiana would have liked that.
Just like what Noah said, he used to call the original Tatiana that name when they were still little. Tatiana loved it so much because she felt she was special. She even forbid anyone to call her Anastasia and ordered everyone to call her Tatiana instead. That way, only the prince would call her Anastasia. But then, after their engagement was announced, Noah stopped calling her Anastasia and started calling her Lady Tatiana like everyone else. Tatiana tried convincing Noah to call her Anastasia again, but he only responded by calling her Lady Tatiana.
It was an obvious act of rejection, that made everyone laugh at Tatiana. Tatiana was sad and embarrassed about this and even spent nights crying in her room. After that, she didn't push it anymore and that's also when her wickedness started becoming worse. She poured her pain and anger into those kids who laughed at her.
Jane knew about this because she could see the original Tatiana's memories. She started remembering Tatiana's memories just a few weeks back. Not all of her memories came back, but she could finally start to understand what made Tatiana grew up as the evil villainess that she was.
No matter how petty the reason, the original Tatiana was hurt. And as a child, she didn't know how to cope with her feelings that she unknowingly turned to hatred and anger. To hide her pain and to show she wasn't affected, she chose to be evil.
But of course, it still won't justify her actions. She was still wrong.
“Well, I don’t like it anymore, so call me Lady Tatiana, your highness.”
Now, Tatiana is obviously irritated, but Noah only thought she looked cute.
“Alright, Anastasia. I will call you what you want me to call you.” Noah said with a smirk still plastered on his face.
Tatiana openly rolled her eyes when he used Anastasia again. She doesn’t know what Noah is doing, but she sure is displeased by it.
“But in one condition,” Noah added and Tatina glared at him. “You should call me what I want you to call me. Call me Noah.” Noah continued.
Tatia stared at him in disbelief.
Did he just ask me to call him by his first name?
“What? With all due respect, your highness, but I wouldn’t dare call you with your first name.” Tatiana gritted.
Noah only looked at her, amused. He is obviously enjoying their conversation.
“Then, I would continue calling you what I want. Anastasia.”
Tatiana inwardly groaned at him turning in circles. He is being childish and it’s just giving Tatiana a headache.
“Whatever,” she mumbled and crossed her arms as she looked back outside the window again.
She gave up and ignored the prince.
Noah, on the other hand, was amused at her actions.
Is she aware that she being cute right now?
Like that, their journey to the palace was filled in the silence with one feeling annoyed, while the other is feeling playful.
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reyankleyr
- Writer
