After All

Chapter six

That day Emerald received a royal invitation. It was a celebration of some sort as per the crown prince's order.

"Do I have to attend this?" She asked her maid

She was currently being groomed by her maid in her room. She plans on going out to breathe a fresh air.

"By all means my lady. Besides, this will be the first ball that you'll be attending after the engagement talk with the Bellian grand duchy. This will be a good opportunity to show them your close relationship." She said

Close relationship, huh.

Emerald sighed. She was really exhausted.

"Can't I just tell them that I'm sick?" She asked

"No you can't. Lying to the imperial family is a crime my lady."

Then a knock.

"Who is it this time?" She asked a bit annoyed.

Can't people just leave her alone for once?

"A message from the Young master Bellian came." The voice on the other side of the door said

"Burn it." She said without hesitation

"You can't my lady!" Her maid on her side said

"Why-"

"I'm hurt."

Opens door.

"Burning your fiance's letter is quite an act, don't you think Emerald?"

The man with a dark blue hair and purple eyes said. He walked towards the chair in the middle of her room and sat like he owns the place.

"What do you want, Cliff?"

"Whether you want it or not you're going to attend the ball with me, Emy." He said while smiling

"Ask Vivian to go with you. I'm not in the mood." She said

His expression turns dark.

"I won't do that. You are my fiance. Thus, I'm in inviting you." He said with conviction

She almost smirked. She's loving this dark and hurt side of Cliff. Should she hurt him even more?

"I'm sure Vivian won't like this. How are you going to compensate with her? Are you going to dance with her all night at the ball? Or what? Did you promise to give her-"

"Enough! Let's stop this Emerald. We're going together and you know that's final. I asked your seamstress, Madame Gloria to make a matching clothes for couple. We're going to wear that." He said then stood up.

"You're really not going to listen to what I say?" She asked

"I've had enough for today Emerald. I know that you're just doing it to hurt me and you've already reached your goal." He said and smile bitterly

He then went to the door and hold the handle to open it.

He stopped.

"Emerald, we're going to spend the rest of our life together. Let's make things work out." He said

"We won't, Cliff. We have a contract remember? We only need to be together for a year at most."

Cliff scoffs.

"You really are an expert in making me feel wretched."

He said as he finally went out of the room.

--

The day of the ball.

Emerald was so busy that morning. She took so many baths that she lost count. When she walk out of the bathroom, a beautiful dress red ball gown was in the middle of the room.