The Made Queen

CHAPTER THREE

The first thing that needs to be done is to get the house's expenses under control.

I also need to change the way I dress. Away from the naive young girl to project an air of maturity and competence at my present age of fifteen. It is also important that I convince Father I am capable of managing the duchy's finances.

But right now, looking through my wardrobe, it's very difficult to find anything worth wearing. Not only did they not find something simple to wear, but they all looked tremendously expensive. And the making of most of them was not even well done…

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“Is this really the best you can do?” The seamstress I work for shook her head in disapproval.

“But it looks fine,” I held up the work and examined it. But my heart sank when she amended it to suit her state.

“You're costing me fabrics and wasting my time. I am not paying you to run me at a loss. You have to go, young lady,” she shouted angrily.

“I can redo it, I will improve and work better,” I cried desperately because I really need this job.

“I can only give you so many chances, girl,” she fired me that same day, and I returned to the street.

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“Miss?” Gloria, my personal maid, walked into the room. Surprised to see me awake.

I was shocked for a little while, 'cause it'd been a long time since I saw Gloria’s face. The last time I saw her, she had gone to work for Ivan’s new fiancée. I was badly hurt by her betrayal at the time, but soon realized the harsh reality of unemployment and decided not to hold her allegiance to my replacement against her.

“Good morning, Gloria,” I smiled kindly at her and tried to remember how we used to speak to each other. “I was just about to choose a dress for myself for the day.”

“I have an outfit right here for you, miss.” Her smile looked forced. Has it always been like this? I stepped back, unable to hide my discomfort at her expression.

When I was fifteen in my past life, I had taken people’s words and expressions at face value. But now it's clearly obvious that she is not happy to be here.

Well, it's her job. And she doesn’t have to be overjoyed to be up here this early to dress the daughter of a duke. I won't take it personally. I tried to keep my smile natural-looking and in place…. Well, before I saw the gown in her arms.

“What in the heavens name is that?” My voice cracked as I stared at the bright-pink-laced monstrosity. It is a voluminous ball gown mixed with bright yellow and green frills. The dress looks as if it were made to bring distress and turmoil to all who look upon it.

“Your new dress, miss.” Gloria's smile looked a little sinister and forced now. “It's the latest fashion!” she held out the dress towards me, and I took a step back in fear.

“Umm… thank you, but I think I’ll just go with the plain cream satin.” I picked up the dress I found while searching for a suitable thing to wear. It was a well-detailed, simple gown, pleasing to the eye.

“But it looks so simple. What will happen if his highness stops by and sees you wearing such clothes?” Gloria looked horrified at the concept.

“I will happily wear this pink monstrosity if it will scare him off,” I muttered under my breath. And I got ready to put on the cream stain gown I chose.

“Gloria, I think the prince will appreciate me even more if I don't be too extravagant for a day.” I's words seem to have made her angry. It's not like the pompous i***t will notice the dress I am wearing.

“Alright, miss, if that's what you want to wear, let me assist you,” she offered with a bright smile, as if the brief flash of anger I saw earlier had never happened.

Her help getting me into the dress felt foreign to me after years on the street, but I pulled through.

“Will you be seeing Lady Stella today?” Gloria asked, breaking the long suffocating silence between us. I froze.

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“I’m sorry, Daphne, I don’t know how I fell in love with him." Stella cried, wiping her eyes in a way that made her look pretty as I stared at her in shock. “I just couldn’t say no when he asked me."

“....but you knew he was engaged to me, that should be enough for you to stay clear from him.” I could hardly get my words out because of how fast I was breathing. “How could you agree to marry him, when he was cast aside?!”

“But you have forgiven me, right?” Her eyes were immediately dry, and she smiled at me with an expression that brought a feeling of unease in me. “After all, you are my best friend.”

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“I won’t be seeing her today, I have important things to do.” I need to convince Father to hand over control of the duchy's finances to me.

“This is a surprise. Miss you. You spend every day with Lady Stella, are you and the young lady fighting?” I smiled and shook my head.

“There is nothing that Stella would want that I won’t give to her. There is nothing for us to fight about”.

I left the room, leaving Gloria behind. Stella can have Ivan for all I care. This time around, I will help them plan the wedding. I won’t stand in her way this time around.

Right more pressing things to worry about. Father, mother, and the duchy. Everything I love would have a different ending this time around.

I must change my life.

No matter what.