Chapter 15: Party
1134 Words
Dominic led me into the great hall. All eyes immediately turned to us. I suddenly felt a little tense, my palms sweat, and Dominic squeezed my hand. Although he didn't look at me, I felt it as an act of reassurance for me.
This made me appreciate him, even if only a little.
"What are we here for?" I whispered.
"The party of the nobility. Just smile, I'll take care of everything." Dominic replied softly.
"Does everyone know I'm your fiancé?"
"They may or may not know. It doesn't matter anyway."
Dominic had just finished speaking when Mr. Donald appeared, followed by a few well-dressed ladies and gentlemen with glasses of champagne.
People greet each other and start chatting, some political stories or health inquiries.
“Dominic Arnold, this lady…” A lady looked over at me, asked Dominic a question, and deliberately stretched her words to wait for his answer.
"My fiancée, Mrs. Nala Kim. However, she won't appear much at our parties." Dominic smiled politely.
"Oh, may I ask why? Anyway, I'm quite surprised that you're engaged. Not too long ago, I was going to introduce my niece to you. What a pity." Nala Kim sighed.
"Actually, me and my fiancée are in the process of getting to know each other, if we don't match, we won't force ourselves into this arranged marriage. Therefore, I still feel honored if Lady Kim introduces your niece to me."
Dominic Arnold's joke made Nala Kim giggle. Everyone wants their daughter or granddaughter to get married to the Arnolds, and the Kims are no exception. It is understandable that Mrs. Nala Kim is wary or uncomfortable with me.
Still, I couldn't help but feel sorry for Dominic Arnold's words. He's really cold, he doesn't even want to tell people my name. I guess he probably wanted to keep our engagement and my true identity private from as many people as possible.
The party of the upper class is not as attractive as I thought. People spent most of their time chatting, perhaps also expanding relationships among the aristocracy.
Wearing high heels, I quickly felt my little toe throbbing, my steps limp.
Dominic seems to notice this as well.
"See the sofa in the corner of the room? Let's rest over there, you can grab some snacks from the table if you want."
Dominic's words were like an amnesty for me, and I happily walked over to the corner of the room and sat down, slowly massaging my weary feet.
At the same time, several young ladies appeared while I lowered my head and didn't notice.
"Are you Esther Joan? What a surprise, you were invited to this luxurious party?"
I raised my head when I heard a sharp voice. Turns out, the owner of that voice was Jade Rosaleen. A few days ago, we even met at an evaluation at Malibu Academy. Jade is a few years older than me, she is Kaylin's classmate, their relationship is quite close. It was a fact that Kaylin's close friends almost all disliked me, thinking that I was an abandoned lady and that it was humiliating to know me.
I don't like them either, so this is a rare time when Kaylin and I talk to each other.
"Hi."
"You haven't answered my question. How did you get invited to such a prestigious party, even Kaylin Joan didn't have an invitation card." Jade Rosaleen and a few of her friends sat down beside me, pretending to be friendly.
"I'm with my friend." I gave a rough answer, but Jade and the other cheeky ladies had no intention of letting this go, and they insisted on me, even though I tried to refuse to answer.
"Come on Esther Joan, if you're going to go with a friend to this party, why are you trying to hide that friend's identity? Or... that friend is your master? Don't tell us you guys. Shameless enough to be someone's mistress?"
Jade's words really touched my pride. Even though I was flushed red and my breathing ragged. I was going to deny it, but then I realized they were right. It is true that I am a mistress of a master.
"Huh... no reply means you admit it, don't you? Ladies, Esther Joan is an old master's mistress. Hahaha… This would be interesting if everyone in Malibu Academy knew."
It was very noisy in the great hall, so no one noticed the few ladies chatting among themselves. A lot of people might even think we were having a good time.
In fact, I am being bullied by these mean ladies. They openly scorned me because they knew I couldn't respond. Shame and humiliation enveloped my mind, and I tried not to burst into tears at their terrifying sarcasm.
"Have you eaten yet? I brought you some cake."
Dominic's sudden appearance caused the smiles of the ladies to fade away. They hurriedly adjusted their clothes and stood up at the same time, greeting Dominic Arnold in a friendly manner.
"You're so thoughtful, Mr. Arnold. We haven't eaten yet, thank you for your concern."
Jade reached out to take the plate of cake, but Dominic quickly withdrew his hand.
No one expected that Dominic would consider them invisible. His eyes were fixed on me, the plate of cake turned towards me. He patiently waited for me to speak.
"You're so thoughtful, Mr. Arnold. We haven't eaten yet, thank you for your concern."
I imitated Jade Rosaleen's tone, smiled sweetly, and took the plate of cake.
"You're welcome." Dominic casually sat down next to me.
Dominic's sudden appearance caused the smiles of the ladies to fade away. They hurriedly adjusted their clothes and stood up at the same time, greeting Dominic Arnold in a friendly manner.
"You're so thoughtful, Mr. Arnold. We haven't eaten yet, thank you for your concern."
Jade reached out to take the plate of cake, but Dominic quickly withdrew his hand.
No one expected that Dominic would consider them invisible. His eyes were fixed on me, the plate of cake turned towards me. He patiently waited for me to speak.
"You're so thoughtful, Mr. Arnold. It's true that I haven't eaten yet, thank you for your concern."
I imitated Jade Rosaleen's tone, smiled sweetly, and took the plate of cake.
"You're welcome." Dominic casually sat down next to me.
Suddenly, I had the pleasure of taking revenge on Kaylin's haughty friends. Their faces were pale and embarrassed, they looked at each other with shame, and in the end, no one dared to speak to Dominic Arnold anymore. Anyway, the difference in status between the Arnold family and the other families was too great.
Honestly, I don't know why Dominic took the initiative to help me. However, I am truly grateful to him for that.
- Writer
