Phantasmagoric

11

A few uneventful months past swiftly since that encounter with that boy in the street. I couldn't possibly ask Diane if she knows someone like that because that boy was probably a commoner.

I guess its best to just keep it in my memory.

So now, I'm having lunch with the Duke and also my stepmother, Miranda. I immediately ignore any kind of invitations from this woman due to my fear of her. Sometimes I don't even give her a proper reply. I know I can't be too rude but she might try to kill me again if I met her somewhere with only the two of us and a few of her servants so I better keep my space from her. After all, I treasure this life so much even if it isn't mine. With the Duke having hectic schedule this past few months because of the duties he has for the kingdom, not to mention his meetings in the palace together with other prominent people, I don't have to get out of my room too much. I could just continue my research even though I still haven't found anything and heard anything from Magnicius. I'm just glad that the people around me are trustworthy enough that not even a small information about my so called memory lost was leaked to Miranda.

"What are your plans for your birthday, Alzbeta?" Adelmo suddenly ask amidst our awkward silence in the table.

Ack...Now that I remember, Its just a month away before Alzbeta's birthday! Birthdays and crowds I don't even know...Yes. Not my cup of tea. "I think a simple party would be fine, Adelmo-"

"It's better for it to be extravagant, Alzbeta. After all, we are the only one Dukedom in the Kingdom. What would people say if we suddenly held a humble party?"

What???? Would that be a problem? Wouldn't that mean we're being thrifty and saving a lot of money?

"No one would doubt our credibility, Miranda. Not now. Not ever." The Duke told Miranda without batting an eye on her.

"But I do hope we could have a grander party than a humble one. You're my only daughter Alzbeta that is why I want what is best for you." He said while giving me a warm gaze.

I'm weak to those kind of gazes that's why I found myself agreeing. And now, here I am, telling Diane what I want for foods, desserts and drinks. With people that needs to be invited, tokens, music and other extravagance, I let Diane decide for those. Miranda volunteered herself for the task but I couldn't exactly trust her not to suddenly poison me so I gracefully decline which means I didn't directly told her I don't want her to do it. "I worry that I would take too much of your time, mother, so I'll do it together with Diane." That was fine, right? I guess, watching and reading those dramas really did helped me. She argued at first but when the Duke looked at her suspiciously, she stopped.

It was good that I ask Diane to help me because it seems she have some background when it comes to parties. Looks like she likes to organize gatherings so she's quite capable than the other servants. Not that they don't help her of course.

After telling Diane my preferences, she left my room. She asked me not to go anywhere until she gets back. As if I have somewhere to be. Maybe because I don't like exploring places, I barely get out of my room and exposed myself outside of this four corners. Aside from the way to the dining room, the garden and the front door I don't know anything else. So if I do go out on my own, I would probably get lost. This room is my safe place in this unknown land, so unless I urgently have to leave, I won't go anywhere.

A knock sounded in the door, when it opened, Diane revealed herself.

"My lady, you said you lost your memory, right?" She suddenly asked after closing the door and stepping a bit closer to me.

"Yes."

"It might be an unnecessary concern for a servant but do you... remember how to dance?"

It was like I heard a glass breaking somewhere. Back in my place, I avoid dancing like a plague. It's because I have two left feet. I'm better with singing or acting but never with dancing. I'm even good with studying! I always trip even though there's nothing to trip on and always does the wrong step on the actual performance even though I practiced a day before. Dancing just isn't suited for me. It's like a curse. And with medieval dances different from what I know, this would probably be harder!

"The birthday celebrant would dance first before anybody could dance in the party, my lady. So I have to make sure that you remember how to dance..."

"Would it be... too late to ask you to teach me... a bit?" I asked Diane while smiling shyly.

Diane teaches me how to dance when she's not busy with the preparations for the party. I realized that this body automatically knows how to dance that might be because of Alzbeta's dance lessons in the past. The twirls and turns are actually easier that the steps of hiphop dances I usually practice.

Maybe thats why I keep messing up before... hiphop was just too hard.

Our lessons didn't take long. We even set a day where I have to dance with a partner. I have to make sure that my dancing are flawless and keen to perfection on that so that it would be worthy of this Dukedom.

At the day of our schedule rehearsal, I was shocked with who Diane brought as a partner. It was no other than the Duke himself. I felt blood rush to my cheek due to embarrassment when he saw me a little bit sweaty because of the practices I'm doing before they arrived.

"Diane said you're practicing dancing to refresh your mind. Would it be a bother if I'm your partner today?" As if I'll let other men touch my daughter.

Shouldn't I be the one asking that?! What if I'm the bother?!

I cleared my throat before answering, "It's fine Adelmo. I think you're more suited to judge my dancing skills anyway."

When the Duke held my hand, it was like everything just flowed. It was familiar to this body probably because she has always dance with her father. This reminds me that people in my place held debut parties where there are 18 roses and 18 candles. In those, they have to take their first and last dance with men important to them. Their father and their lover. Not that I would have been able to held a debut when we were so poor. And I'm not there anymore, so I won't even know if I wanted to...

When I think about stuff like this, it brings back the envy I feel with this owner's body. Alzbeta.