Street Mouse [Yandere Archduke x Female Reader]

39. Returning to Castle de Crivell.

The weeks flew by on birds wings in busy entertainment and small talk until finally, the long-awaited eve of the ball arrived. The majority of the guests were in their rooms getting ready for the evening, which gave the servants time to prepare the ballroom, and next door banquet hall for the party, it also gave the two hostesses time to make themselves look presentable.

Abela and Y/N were both currently getting ready in Y/N's room since it was the bigger of the two girls' bedrooms. Their preparations had started almost an hour ago with mountain primrose face masks, after that Abela had done up both of their hair magnificently, with silver pearls in Y/N's H/C hair, and dainty emerald leaf pins in Abela's golden locks. Now the girls were taking turns helping each other into their ball gowns.

Abela was first to put on her dress, and after Y/N made sure that the bodice piece and the skirt were sitting smoothly she stepped back to take in the full effect of the dress. "Oh, Abela, you look absolutely amazing." Her dress was a deep green that complimented her fair complexion, with lighter green and gold trim decorating the full skirt. Abela twirled in front of the mirror and giggled in joy.

She then helped Y/N into her gown. It was slimmer in the skirt then Abela's and had a much longer train that could thankfully be pinned up for dancing. The dress faded from a striking violet at the bodice down into a deep purple on the base of the skirt, and the very end of the long train was a true black with silver detailing on the edge. The neckline of the dress was cut low enough that the wooden ring on the chain could be seen, but Y/N insisted on wearing it.

Y/N shifted uncomfortably as Abela gawked open-mouthed at her. "Well, how do I look?" She finally asked. Abela blinked her large blue eyes several times before she finally said in a small voice, "you show up to the gala looking like that Y/N, and any man, whether he be married or single will be vulnerable to your every whim."

Y/N blushed at the compliment and held out her hand. The two young women linked arms, and as the girls walked together towards the ballroom in their evening finery, it was undeniable that the clumsy, awkward girls of the past were gone, and had been replaced with two truly radiant beauties.

. . .

As the carriage made its bumpy way up the mountain road to Castle de Crivell, Frosino sat back in the cushions, doing his best to quell the queasy feeling in his stomach. After three years he would, at last, be returning to the home that he loved so dearly.

As elated as he was, he felt incredibly nervous as well. He couldn't help but worry that no one would be as excited to see him as he was to see them. What if everyone was glad that he was gone and wished for him to leave again?

He turned his head to ask Ilidoro to console him but saw that the brunette was fast asleep with his face pressed against the window, and a bit of drool on his chin. The Archduke sighed, his cousin was truly hopeless. Before he got the chance to fully wallow in his insecurities, the carriage passed over the drawbridge and came to an abrupt halt. Frosino was able to brace for the impact, but Ilidoro was not as fortunate and was thrown from the seat and landed on the floor with a crash.

Ignoring his very confused cousin, now laying awake on the floor, Frosino exited the carriage. He was surprised to see that all the windows of Castle de Crivell were glowing with an enchanting light. Feeling rather confused, Frosino, with Ilidoro following a few paces behind him, walked quickly up the stairs and pushed the castle doors open.

He couldn't keep the shock from his face and stood stalk still. The entrance hall was luminated by the many elaborate wall sconces, and the stone floors looked to be freshly polished. The sound of shoes echoed through the large entrance hall and Frosino saw a man with sleek dark hair and a cunning face approach them. "Good evening and welcome home your Grace. I hope that your journey went well."