3. Engagement Ceremony
1134 Words
Episode 03
"Smile and don't cause any trouble, Anastasia."
A cold voice of the man, who was supposed to be my brother, rang in my ear.
What?! What did he just say? D-Did I hear it wrong?
I can't believe this! After staying silent the entire way, that's what he has to say?
Smile and don't cause any trouble?!
Haa! Is that what a brother should say to her sister in her engagement ceremony?
Thump* Thump*
Haa. My heart is beating so fast. I feel like there is a lump on my chest. Why is it so hard to breathe?
Why am I feeling so disappointed? Why am I sad?
Hah!
It must be the feelings of this body…
Anastasia… How was your relationship with your family?
I guess… I will never know…
"What are you doing? Move your chin up and smile. It's your engagement ceremony."
Andrew whispered while looking at the front.
Haa~
Forget it. It doesn't matter what their relationship is anymore. I am not real Anastasia to begin with. And soon, I will be leaving this place.
Thinking that I slowly raised my head and looked at the front with a polite smile.
That's right. I am used to smiling like that anyways. I had to do this so many times when I was living with my parents in Korea.
So this is nothing new… You can do it… Just like always… Look straight proudly and smile politely.
You are… used to it, Harin…
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Gasp*
"Is that Lady Anastasia?"
A noble lady gasped seeing Anastasia who just entered the hall.
"Oh my! She looks more beautiful than usual."
"Although something about her is different."
"I know right…"
"I don't see her usual arrogant self anywhere."
"Mhmm."
Another lady nodded her head.
"Somehow she looks more graceful."
"Right…"
And the group of ladies who were talking continued to look at Anastasia silently. It was the same for other groups of nobles who were present in the hall. They were all awe-stricken by Anastasia's beauty. Even Cedric Wolff who was standing in the centre of the hall…
And along with the nobles' enchanted gazes, some gazes filled with envy and hatred also fell on Anastasia.
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*
*
I am walking towards the centre of the banquet hall.
Haa~
I can feel everyone's gaze stinging my skin.
But the one that is stinging me the most is coming from the centre of the banquet hall where the male lead was standing.
Dark purple hair… bright purple eyes… A handsome face… Wide shoulders…
As expected of the male lead… He is so beautiful. No wonder Anastasia tried to snatch him from the female lead. Even my heart is beating fast, seeing his handsome face. Although I will never make the same mistakes as Anastasia.
Anyways why is he looking this way?
And suddenly our eyes met for a second.
Judging by how his eyes are widened… is he surprised?
But before I could think anything else the male lead hurriedly averted his gaze from the direction I was in. And in the blink of an eye, he looked at me again. except this time I could clearly see a frown on his forehead.
Haaa~
I must've seen it wrong before. He must have been frowning that time too.
But honestly, his expression makes it clear that he hates Anastasia… Aren't you supposed to hide your discontentment in front of everyone at least?
Haa~
Whatever… I don't care anymore.
Anyways if he is here, she must be here somewhere.
I started looking around and soon she caught my eyes. To be honest, it wasn't that hard to find her amongst the huge gathering of the Nobles.
Beautiful Blonde hair that reaches the waist… Calm Green Eyes… A face that screams of innocence… A delicate lady…
The female lead of the story… Sybell Hartman, the sole survivor of the Hartman viscounty.
As expected, even though many noblemen surrounded her, her gaze is towards Cedric.
I guess they already started to realise their feelings for each other at this point.
Anyways, after walking for a minute, I finally reached the centre of the banquet hall.
"Greetings, Father."
Andrew greeted a middle-aged man who was standing in the opposite direction of the male lead.
He must be Duke Dexter Lancaster, Anastasia's father.
"Greetings."
I also greeted him with a slight bow.
"Hmm."
The Duke said in a voice that sounded neither polite nor rude.
Now that I see, another male with orange hair and blue eyes is standing next to the Duke. Hmm~ He must be the second son, Wilfrid Lancaster who resembles the deceased duchess.
Anastasia is the third and the only daughter of Duke Lancaster.
Clink* Clink*
Suddenly the Duke clinked a silver spoon against a glass to gather everyone's attention.
"Thanks for coming to the Engagement Ceremony of my daughter, Anastasia Lancaster and Duke of the north Cedric Wolff's engagement ceremony. I hope you will join in tomorrow's wedding to bless them. Now, let's begin the engagement ceremony."
Clap* Clap*
And the sound of happy cheer and chatter filled the hall.
Although I wish that was the same case with me… But it wasn't. To be honest, nothing came to my ear after the Duke made his speech.
The… The wedding is tomorrow?! How can it be? In the novel, it was clearly said that there wasn't much time gap between the engagement and the wedding ceremony…
But tomorrow?
Isn't this too much? It feels like they are trying to push Anastasia out of their family as soon as possible.
Aghh! I… This is so...
Did Anastasia know about this? How did she feel? Was she sad?
D*mn it! I don't want to have this feeling. The useless feelings of this body… The useless feelings of Anastasia…
I don't want to feel sad, angry or desperate. It's too much for me. It's making me want to choke myself.
"...tasia…"
"La……sia…"
"Lady Anastasia!"
I flinched hearing the sudden voice of the priest.
"Ah. Yes."
"Please exchange your ring."
"Ah. Right."
I hurriedly put a silver ring on the male lead's hand.
Haa~
This is bad. I was too focused on my emotions. When did the ceremony even start?
"Now forward your hand, lady."
Hearing the priest's words, I forwarded my hand. And soon the male lead put a similar ring on my ring finger.
Haa~
I can clearly see him glaring at me. But no one really cares about it… Of course, they won't. It's not them he is glaring a hole at.
"The engagement ceremony is finished with the Grace of Goddess Crescentia. Now Lady Anastasia Lancaster and Duke Cedric Wolff are officially and spiritually betrothed."
The old priest, wearing a white robe with a golden border, said with a smile.
- Writer
