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Death’s Daughter Chapter 113

Author: “FoodLovingPanda”

CHAPTER 113: THE DRESS

I woke up feeling rather refreshed. Yesterday, my plan was to laze around all day, but sadly that was thwarted by Banbo, so today I planned to make up for that. It was a warm and sunny autumn day and it would be a shame to spend it inside. I put on some light clothes and went outside to enjoy the sun.

As I was dozing off, the yard in front of the inn a woman dressed in maid’s clothes was walking towards me carrying a big package. Since I didn’t order anything and was definitely not expecting anything to be given to me, I ignored her. But much to my surprise she walked right up to me and greeted me.

“Viscountess, I am sorry to interrupt you afternoon nap, but I was sent here by His Majesty, the King, to bring you to the Earl’s Mansion for a tea party.”

Say what? They are actually here?! I thought Earl-sama made that story up to help me escape from Banbo. I never thought it was actually true. Also, knowing the King, he is not someone I can escape from.

“Who is invited?”

“All the nobles in the town and the surrounding area, also the guild master and the head priest will come. The King also told me that you will most likely try to escape and in that case I should inform you that he will use the tea party to publicly proclaim you as Crown Princess to be. Also he will make sure that every single person in both kingdoms knows your face so you would not be able to escape your destiny.”

That is really a nasty threat; and honestly speaking, it is very possible it will come to pass if I don’t appear today. I can imagine going anywhere and being recognized and put in the spotlight. Ugh, so horrifying. Reluctantly, I accepted the package and brought the maid to my room. She was shocked to see that I was lodging in a small inn room, but very quickly she recovered her calm appearance.

The package held a beautiful deep blue dress that was embedded with blue glass that seems to shimmer in the light, just like the sea. Even the smallest movement will cause such an effect. The fabric was soft to the touch and very light almost like silk. I was stunned by the beauty of the dress.

“It’s so beautiful.”

“This is supposed to be a secret, but the man that gave me that package told me to give it to you. He said he chose is personally and that it would suit you perfectly.”

“Who gave you this? I simply assumed it was the King or Vitou-sama, since they were the ones to send you to fetch me.”

“No, His Majesty the King didn’t give it to me. I think he was a gardener at the Earl’s Mansion. He had short black hair and dark eyes similar to yours. Also he was very handsome. It seems to me you have a secret admirer Viscountess.”

Short black hair and dark eyes like mine, these are not common features of people living in Doren. Could it be my mystery man? I quickly searched the rest of the box in hopes that there was a note but sadly there wasn’t one.

“Tell me did this person say anything else? And why did you say that you think he was a gardener?”

“No miss, he didn’t say anything else. He had been wearing the gardener’s outfit, but his hands were too clean and perfect. Those hands do not belong to a gardener. So he must be new.”

Or not a gardener at all. With the help of the maid, I wore the new dress. I wanted to do it myself, but the maid insisted on helping so I allowed her. Just like he said the dress fit me perfectly. I don’t know how but he got my size perfectly. Almost to a point where I got a bit angry at how perfect it was.

“Viscountess you look wonderful. I dare say you will outshine all the noble ladies tonight.”

“Thank you, shall we go?”

I wanted to meet him and I wanted to give my thanks to him personally. And most importantly, I wanted to confirm if my guess is correct. As soon as I reached the lobby I caught the attention of every person there. I slightly forgot that wearing a dress like this will not allow me to stay out of sight easily.

“Naoko-chan, you look… you look… I mean that dress…”

“Mylene-san there is no need to say anything. I know, thank you for the compliment. I have to go though or I will be late.”

Saying goodbye I went towards the Earl’s Mansion. On the way there I made sure to use the alleyways with as little people passing through them as possible. It took more time, but just imagining the reaction of people seeing me walking down the main street gave me the creeps.

“Naoko-san, welcome, the Earl is expecting you.”

A butler greeted me at the entrance. I was led to a room where the Earl was holding a tea party. Already the Crown Prince and his two hero guards were with him there. I remembered to greet them properly since this was an official party.

“Greetings Vitou-sama, Earl Orzak. I am honored to be here today. Thank you for your invitation.”

“Oh drop the formalities, it doesn’t suit you at all. Besides there is nobody here that you need to keep these performances for.”

Earl Orzak was rather laid back, I can see why he was unpopular with the other nobles especially among those older noble houses that put extra attention to courtesy and rank. But to me I couldn’t be happier that he was this way.

“Naoko you look wonderful. Come and join us the official party starts later on, I just wanted us to chat normally and relax. Honestly speaking I think that tonight you will be the star of the party. That outfit will be the most talked about thing. I didn’t think you would dress up for this, but I’m glad you did.”

I sat down at one of the free chairs and took my teacup. I could sense that both Vitou’s and Earl Orzak’s gazes weren’t quite right. Maybe, just maybe I shouldn’t have worn this dress. But I really wanted to meet my mystery man while wearing it. That is why just before the guests started arriving I went for a walk in the garden in hopes of finding him, but sadly it was useless. There was nobody like that among the gardeners.

I didn’t stay for too long and moved inside as the guests began to arrive. This party just needs to pass and I could look for him once again. At this moment, I did not know that the party I was attending would turn out to be completely different from anything every single one of us had planned except for maybe a certain person who looked like he was pulling all the strings and making a play.