𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐕𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒' 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐃𝐎𝐆 | 𝘷𝘢𝘥𝘵𝘥 𝘹 𝘔.𝘺/𝘯 |

(6) A Vow To Oneself.

"........," 

The party held at the palace went by smoothly.

In other words, it was utterly dull.

Roxana later left my side to greet some elderly ladies and inquire about the latest gossip it seems.

Meanwhile, no one approached me – no curious glances, no forced smiles, no polite nods of acknowledgement.

'Gods,'

I thought, picturing the Duke in his element,

'what kind of social butterfly was he to gather such type of attention?'

Roxana continued her charade of interest toward others while occasionally casting curious glances my way.

And as the night progressed, I found myself standing alone in a corner, nursing a glass of wine.

"........," 

╔. ■ .═══════╗

╚═══════. ■ .╝

"........,"  

Then came the shriek. 

A dowager swooped down upon me, her target – my chest.

"Your Grace! Such a radiant presence tonight!"

She gushed.

"Ah, grandma, spare us both the theatrics,"

I muttered under my breath, turning away in the hopes of a subtle dismissal.

'Tsk, what a freak.'

I thought, feeling utterly out of place like a misplaced end table.

Judging by the clock on the wall, it wasn't even midnight yet; this ceremony was going to drag on forever.

Just when I thought the evening couldn't possibly get any more awkward… it did.

"Enjoying the festivities?"

A silky smooth voice sliced through my solitude, sending a jolt through me.

"Not particularly,"

I admitted honestly, not bothering to turn towards the speaker. 

Crossing my arms defensively, I added,

"Rather tiresome, wouldn't you agree?"

There was a hint of disdain creeping into my voice, which I couldn't quite disguise.

"Though, speaking of dull company,"

I continued,

"shouldn't you find someone more stimulating to waste your time on?"