In Another Life

CHAPTER 3

I winced everytime the maid pulls the strings to tighten my corset. “Okay I think I had enough.” I begged. The royal designer clears her throat while shaking her head, “No no no, princess. The purpose of a corset is to accentuate the beautiful figure of a lady! You are a princess and you should be the main attention at the ball.”

“But this thing is painfully suffocating me!” I exaggerated. She hissed at me and shook her head, “I will not tolerate any disagreement that could effect your appearance negatively. Now now, pull it even more.” She instructed the maiden and when the maiden pulls the strings tighter, I let out a loud scream of frustration.

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Author’s POV

Theodorus look up at Philip, his right hand man when he heard the scream that shook the entire palace. “Is that her?” He asked.

Philip nodded his head, “Judging by the tremors caused by the scream, it is indeed, Princess Wisteria.”

Theodorus chuckled while resting his cheeks on his knuckles, “The palace sure is lively ever since she gain consciousness.”

“Indeed, your highness.” Philip replied briefly as he stood rather stiff right next to Theodorus, guarding the royalty from any danger coming.

A few hours later, Wisteria stepped out of her bedroom wearing the ball gown that the Queen herself had chosen for her. The fabric is rather itching her skin, not to forget the layers of undergarments she wore, all of these are making her felt extremely uncomfortable. The outfit she is wearing to the ball couldn’t compare with her prom dresses she got from the thrift store downtown. Being in such an expensive and luxurious outfit really do trigger her anxiety. ‘Someone who is born from a lower class like me will not be able to be under these high quality material nor am I able to even feel it with my finger tips. This is beyond what I could have ever imagined!’ She thought, her degrading self esteem slowly shows itself on her face.

Suddenly, a familiar hand gently caresses her loosely french braided hair. The touch is soothing and within a few seconds, Wisteria’s messy thoughts had been cleared up.

She tilted her head up to look at the person eye to eye. Theodorus. He gave her his favourable box smile before starting to swoon her with his powerful compliments, “As beautiful as the blooming Wisteria, You look extremely extraordinary tonight, my dear.”

The sudden attempt on having a conversation shook her wits and leaves her stuttering for an answer. “T-thank you.” She bluntly said. Within, she is cursing herself to her own grave by her ridiculously brief and half hearted words of gratitude.

“I-I mean... I am quite happy to hear that you are satisfied with my appearance for tonight’s ball, your highness—“ “Call me Theo... please. I kind of dislike the idea of formally addressing each other, especially when we both are husband and wife.” He begged followed with a reasonable explanation.

Wisteria took a deep breath and a long exhale before flashing her most sincere smile, “Thank you, Theo. For being such a good man and a great husband towards me. I shall repay you for your kindness.”

“Oh no, it is alright. All of my doings are of genuine act with no hopes of being repaid —“

“A theatre.” Wisteria cut him off with the word that Theodorus himself could not resist to listen. After a pause of silence, she continues, “I will take part at your next theatre play. That is my way of repaying you back, Theo.”

The offer itself is too tempting for the young Prince to turn a blind eye at. Without even realizing what he is doing, he shook hands with her then said briefly, “Deal.”

Wisteria’s lips curved into a wide smile before she smack Theo’s arms to shake him out of his day dream, “Alright, that’s a deal.”

“Wait, what deal—“ Before he could even finish his question, Wisteria tangles her arms with his’ then said, “Time is running out, my love. Lets hurry up and go to the ball before the Queen gets upset of us being a late comer.”

Speechless, Theodorus just nod his head in agreement and they both walk down the corridor to the ball room.

Wisteria’s POV

As soon as me and Theo step into the hall, all eyes are on both of us. I silently gasped, “Woah, why are they staring at us like that.”

Theo pull me closer to him while I hugged his arms tightly. “You will know sooner.” He whispered in my ears as we both walked down the steep stairs and with my other hand I lifted my skirt a little bit just so that I won’t trip on it. A man in his 50s went up to the both of us, seeming like a noble or maybe a part of the dukedom. He gave us a respectful bow and I reply with a small curtsy.

“It is a great pleasure to see you well, Princess.” He said. Theo whispered in my ears briefly, “This is Duke Lancenshire. The second strongest duke among the rest of dukedom.”

“It is indeed a pleasure, to get back on my feet, although I am still at my phase of recovery, but a ball would not hurt, won’t it?” I replied followed with a gentle smile curved on my lips. The duke chuckled with his raspy old voice. “Like wise, as expected from the former duchess of Hardenbergia and the princess. Well mannered and soft spoken. Too perfect for someone like me to even have a conversation with. I do not deserve this opportunity at all.”

“Oh save your words, Lancenshire. My wife here loves to converse with everyone that she finds pleasing. Isn’t that right, dearest?” Theo chuckled. I nodded my head in agreement, “No one is unworthy to have a friendly chat with me. I shall entertain you like how you entertain me.”

“You both are a very perfect match made in heaven. Very kind and gentle with your words and actions. No wonder your marriage is idolized by everyone in Filbenardich. The flower of the country had been picked by the right person. Its like seeing a diamond and gold being matched to form a beautiful ring.”

“Spare those compliments for we both still have a very long way to go, my lord.” I giggled. So I guess thats the reason why they were staring at the both of us. Well based on the book, Wisteria is indeed a perfect lady that every man would even dare to let her step on them as long as they could have her. In the other hand, Prince Theodorus is also a perfect prince in the eyes of his delegates, with both his looks and his warm personality. If Wisteria is a diamond and Prince Theodorus is the gold, then both combination would make a perfect ring that holds both together in a piece.

The musicians started to play a waltz and everyone started to get ready on the dance floor. The sparkles in my eyes could probably be seen by Theo as he took out his hand, offering me for a dance. Excitedly, I place my hand on top of his’ and he pulled me gently on the dance floor. We started to dance to the lively music piece. His gaze when he stares at me is so full of love, he pulls me even closer against his body before whispering in my ears, “I think I will be sleeping at our chambers tonight, my dearest.”

“Finally deciding to take a rest from your duties and entertain your lonely wife, love?” I teased. He smirked. I screamed in my thoughts, ‘OH GOD THIS MAN IS BEYOND PERFECTION!’.

“Well, in fact we are still in our honeymoon mood, Wisteria.” Him whispering my name at the very last of his sentences sends an electric impulse down my spine causing me to shiver slightly in his arms. I don’t even need to look at his handsome face to see whether he is smirking or not. Such a tease.

Busy entertaining with ourselves, I get the feeling that a pair of eyes are staring at us. Not in a manner filled with something good, but its the other way around. My eyes quickly shift to the direction where I felt those burning eyes stabbing through my skin. Its the queen. But quickly, she curved a smile towards me, I replied her with a smile and a head nod. Its clear enough that she’s faking the smile. This made me wonder, how is Wisteria’s relationship with the queen before this?

“My dear.” Seem to know that I got distracted with my thoughts, I snapped back at Theo’s calls. “Are you feeling well?” He asked. I nodded and before I could realize, the Waltz had ended.

“Well, it seems like I am just going to have one dance.” I said.

“I will have to agree with you, you need not to strain yourself as you have just recovered, love.” He said as he gestures me to the dining table reserved mainly for the both of us and a few other guest.

“Hello there, Wisteria, its been so long we’ve met ayee?” A frantic man greeted me with no formal addresses and just casually being comfortable under his skin. The man sitting next to him scolded, “Earth to Jonathan! My brother, you shall not speak to a young lady like that.”

‘If this guy is Jonathan. The person who calls him brother must be—‘ “You might need to give him a proper lesson regarding etiquettes in the future, Prince Hayes.” Another man with a very heavy accent and is the most poised looking figure among them said. “My apologies, Prince Richard, this boy right here sure is a pain in the neck when it comes to giving him lessons. He just won’t listen!” Hayes complaint.

“Mind if I became his personal tutor next time? Maybe he will learn a lot from me regarding manners.” The man who had been sitting quietly with blond locks said while he glares at Jonathan. “No! I will have to disagree on that one, Prince Sebastian. I rather lay on my death bed than be tutored — No! Correction, tortured by you.” Jonathan immediately refused with wide eyes as he stares at Sebastian rather terrified of the offer.

“Alright now gentlemen, please settle down. The princess have not yet replied Jonathan’s answer. Although I will have to apologize in their behalf, bickering in front of you, your highness. It is indeed a displeasing sight to see.” Another man sitting at Jonathan’s right side interfered.

“Why are you apologizing in our behalf as if we did something wrong, Prince Joshua?” Jonathan scoffed with a smug look on his face. “Hush, Jonathan, or I will tell papa that you have been throwing tantrums infront of the Princess.” Hayes threatened, enough to make Jonathan shut his mouth completely.

Silence. Now that they’re silent, I became even more uncomfortable. I rather hear them bickering and lighten the atmosphere of the table than hearing just the sounds of spoon and forks clanking in our background. I cleared my throat before starting a conversation,“Uhm, well, to answer Prince Jonathan’s answer, yes, it had been so long I guess since our last meeting? Truthfully speaking, I actually don’t remember any one of you... My apologies for that.”

“Well yes, we all have heard about it from Prince Theo that the stress really got you.” Richard replied with a soft smile curved on his lips, showing the dent on both of his cheeks. What adorable dimples he have on his charming face, I wish I have those too! My eyes automatically landed on Jonathan and Joshua who is looking rather uneasy about something.

After a moment with the gents, I finally realized that Theo is no where to be seen. My eyes look around the huge space, frantically searching for the man whom in this world I call as my husband. “Anything wrong, Princess?” Richard ask.

“Where is... Where is Theo?” I asked. The man who had been silently eating the whole time finally speak up with mouth full of food, “He... to... balcony.”

“Oh lord, Brother, please swallow your food down first.” Richard scolded. If the man is his brother, then that means he is... “Samuel is the eldest among us, but he still needs to be taught a few table manners.” Joshua whispered in my ears.

Well, it did say in the book that Samuel loves food more than anything. Putting that aside, I better go to the balcony and stick with Theo. I excuse myself and as soon as I stood up from my seat, Joshua grab my wrist and said,”I don’t think this is the right time to meet him.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just sit back down, Theo will not be happy if you just wander off else where.” Jonathan interrupted. I look at the both of them and everyone at the table. ‘Why are they looking at me so seriously?’ I thought.

My eyes stopped at Richard, we both stare into each other’s eyes for a solid minute. He heaved a sigh, “Let her go, Joshua.”

“But, Rich—“ “If she demands to know what’s going on, then it is best to let her have an earful of answer from her husband himself.” Richard said. Slowly, Joshua’s grip on my wrist loosen. I smile at them, “Thank you, please excuse me for a while.” With that, I turn my heels around and walk through the crowd of aristocrats to search for Theo.

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To be continue...