My beloved maid sat across from me in the luxurious horse-drawn carriage. Our hair was a bit tangled after that rush out of the ballroom, so we loosened the pins and shook off the rest of the ornaments. The pile of decor rested beside us in the carriage. It would awkwardly shift when the wheels of the moving vehicle rolled over a rock. The rest of the ride primarily included me stealing a few bites from the looted treats, and Teresa swatting at me occasionally for attempting to consume more.

“My Lady, you should not,” she would tell me. After scolding me, she would pull the desserts farther away from me. There was a limit to how much distance she could create between me and my delicious treasures. It’s a Carabell carriage! It may be lavish and glamorous inside (representative of the Carabells’ wealth), but it’s still just a small space.

What can I say? If we wait too long to eat them, they’ll become stale!

I knew she was right about how critical it was for me to maintain a healthy diet.

However, is it really about me? Or, is it all about the Carabell family’s reputation? Yes, I am assuming this because I am a selfish fool and would prefer that the entire world revolves around me.

Not really. You’re mistaking me for Elisabeth Madeline Carabell. However, it’s true that when these people are supposedly caring for me, they are actually just pampering me to look gorgeous before society.

I never know what to think about Elisabeth’s predicament. The only reason the duke is keeping Elisabeth alive is that they don’t want to tarnish their reputable image of raising accomplished children. I assume that if I manage to convince Prince Caydel to marry me, I will have satisfied the “accomplished” requirement of Carabell descendants. I can’t see what other feasible reason there could be. Either way, I merely wish to indulge in all the junk food in this world without being reprimanded.

The route back to the estate only took approximately half an hour, but it felt like it had been eons since the ball. By then, I had switched multiple positions in the carriage. I leaned over here, moved my legs there, and even tried lying down. The whole endeavor to find just a little bit of comfort failed miserably. No matter what I did, my corset remained painfully constricting. Perhaps, I should have waited until we arrived back at the estate to devour the sugary goodness.

The snacking made me think about the debutante some more⎯if I hadn’t already been thinking about it enough during the ride.

Who am I kidding? How was it possible for me to not think about the whole ball? So many strange and perplexing events took place within the span of merely two hours! And, to think that both of the Whitensen princes had approached me in such unusual circumstances. It was the first time they had spoken to me since my initial arrival at the academy. You can’t forget how the most honorable Viktoria Lancaster tried to suggest that the Carabells are liars in front of an entire ballroom of guests.

Teresa wasn’t wrong when she said the academy’s debutante ball was exhilarating.

I placed my hands in my lap and leaned over to the curtained-covered window. “Teresa.” The maid directed her dark eyes towards me. I thought I should tell her, my consciousness had been nagging at me since I dragged her out of the debutante. “Headmaster Oscar paid us a visit,” I informed her. She didn’t seem very shocked at the news. Instead, Teresa adjusted her hair to the other side of her neck, coiling it into a twirl of black hair, and twisting it into a bun. She secured the bundle of locks with a few pins. When Teresa finished, she let out a soft exhale.

At last, my maid told me, “Yes, this has happened before.” Without noticing it, my mouth was agape.

If she’s saying that, that must mean she was involved in an altercation that required the headmaster to intervene. I recall how the elderly man took precautions to wipe people’s memories after he paused time. If I’m correct, she was directly involved, and that could be the only way she remembers.

“If the headmaster took the initiative to erase the memory, that means you don’t need to share what took place with me. I trust his decisions, as should you, my lady.” I didn’t exactly know what she meant about trusting him, but I took her word for it. I couldn’t tell if she was saying it generally, or if she was referring to my pending status of enrollment at the academy.

Eventually, the bumpy ride back made me start to feel motion sickness. Paired with a stomach full of sugar, I wanted to throw up. Our arrival at the Carabell Estate was a bit abrupt, and you’ll see why very shortly. Windows were dim, and there seemed to be a quietness when we rolled by the property.

A slight breeze that blew past us as we stood outside before the grand golden and shiny gates of the Carabell duchy’s ginormous estate. While I waited for the closed gate to open, Teresa struggled to contact the butler that supervised the barriers surrounding the Carabell property. With every buzz, I could see her frustration spreading throughout her face. The coachman stepped down from the driver’s seat of the carriage and expressed his growing annoyance along with both of us. He wore a scowl that made my skin crawl with goosebumps.

Huh, that’s odd. You would’ve thought there would be someone to open the gates for us.

“Teresa, why isn’t anyone answering?” I questioned her. The coachman shrugged and slumped down to the gravel.

My maid gave up buzzing the bell as soon as she heard me ask that. “My Lady, I’ll be using the servants’ master key. Is that okay?” I nodded, and the coachman sent me a face of relief.

“Thank goodness, Teresa. You’re the only responsible one here,” the coachman remarked. I saw a red tint flicker across the glammed up maiden’s cheeks.

Alright, okay. I know you don’t like Elisabeth, Mr. Coachman, but could you not include me in your compliment one person and insult everyone else spiel?

I sent the man a glare, but he ignored my facial messages of “don’t be an asshole.” The coachman was around his early thirties or so with light brown eyes that twinkled as they watched my maid search for the keys. He was pretty decent-looking, with a little stubble on his chin. His build was a bit lean, but I assume that his legs were built. He’s an errand boy for the Carabells. Elisabeth must have ordered him around often. However, one thing that was unique about this man was his vibrant fiery red hair beneath the cap he donned. If you couldn’t already notice it wasn’t his natural hair color, the roots of his hair were black.

Rarely do I ever come across people with dyed hair in Whitensen. It’s actually quite a pleasing sight to behold. It reminds me of Earth, and all the various shades of dyed hair people could have. To think that I actually miss the world that I came from...

As I stared at his crop of hair, he caught his eyes onto me. I could see his gaze swiftly harden, and then I averted the unsettling eye contact. Teresa pulled out a golden ring of multiple keys and flipped through each one until she found a key that she was content with. Next, she took out a pendant that was looped around her neck beneath the neckline of the light blue tulle gown she wore.

I was wondering what that chain was. Teresa had been wearing it ever since the opening of the debutante ball.

Suddenly, a bright light flashed. I shielded my face with my arm to prevent the intense glowing from blinding me. I could hear the horses shriek and whinny. Along with that was the sound of a grown man struggling to withstand some weight. Slowly, the burst of luminosity dispersed, and the enormous gates were open.

The coachman groaned. He was trying to soothe the startled horses. “Do you always have to do that?” Teresa proceeded through and held her hand out to emphasize that we should hurry in. That’s when I noticed that there weren’t any locks on the gate.

My maid brought her fingertips to her lips, and I kept my mouth shut.

The flash must’ve been a diversion in case anyone was following us and trying to find ways into the estate. I want to have a magical necklace like that! Though, you would think Elisabeth would have a set of keys to enter the estate whenever she liked. I guess it’s just worthless wishing. The duke doesn’t trust me. Thanks for letting me know, Jillian.

The coachman went ahead to the stables on the Carabell property with the carriage after he dropped us off at the curb of the estate. When we had reached the entrance, there was an eerie stillness. At this point, it was clear no one was awaiting our return. Teresa knocked gently, and we waited for five long minutes.

“Teresa, it’s been a while now. At least, longer than usual. Why aren’t they letting us in?” I asked her. My legs gave out, and my body slumped to sit on one of the steps leading to the polished oak doors.

I just wanted to flop on that wonderfully soft and cushiony mattress with its light comforter and silky quilt. It may not actually be my bed, but I sure would enjoy it right now.

She frowned and tried knocking with a bit more force. Once again, silence followed after, and I sighed exasperatedly. “I’m sorry, my lady, but they are not coming to let us in. I apologize for the inconvenience.”

This is ridiculous! I can’t even go into my own home!

I was remarkably frustrated by how unresponsive any of the maids or butlers were. By now, I was beginning to regret coming home early.

If I had stayed at the ball instead of rushing back to the estate, would it make any difference?

I couldn’t tell whether or not it would. The servants of the Carabell Estate couldn’t care less for me.

I was about to suggest using those fancy keys Teresa had on the door’s lock when I thought I caught a noise coming from within the estate. Slowly, I heard footsteps and an unfamiliar man’s voice. “No, I will not stay. I would prefer it if you refrained from sending me unimportant letters. They have become a nuisance amid the current circumstances in Leonard.”

Teresa gasped. I could hear her mumble, “The lord is home.”

The lord? Is that who I think it is…?

“Allen, you have to understand,” the duke’s voice resounded. “I am sending letters to suggest that you come home and stay at home! Leonard may enter a war soon, and I cannot allow my son to go missing because of it.”

Allen? Allen Carabell? Elisabeth’s brother? Oh my goodness, is he really here?

Teresa shot worried glances towards me. Unexpectedly, she started to push me away from the door.

“My Lady, we should not confront the lord,” she told me in a frenzied tone. “We should not!” I struggled against her grip, refusing to leave.

“You are the heir, and I expect that you act accordingly. As soon as Elisabeth leaves the estate, you have the duchy for yourself,” the voice of Elisabeth’s father resounded.

There was a brief shuffling of feet, clicking of the lock, and at last, the doors had opened. “You think I will⎯” The gentleman nearly ran into Teresa and me.

“You’re…” I mumbled. He was a handsome man, and quite a bit taller than me. He immediately made me think of the gender-bent version of Elisabeth. “Allen?” I called him. His expression darkened drastically upon laying his gaze on me. Immediately, I noticed how his emerald eyes resembled that of Elisabeth’s father so much. Shivers ran up and down my back.

Not a moment longer, the door slammed shut in my face. I jerked back. “Hey!” I shouted. I glanced back at my maid.

My eyes widened when I saw that Teresa had tears streaming down to her chin, wetting her beautiful tulle gown. “My Lady, please. We should not try to go in any longer,” she begged. “I will find us a place to stay outside of the estate. We cannot return home.” I caught her by the arm before she could run away and do anything.

“I am sick and tired of this. Why shouldn’t we? It is my home!” I exclaimed. I was about to go and yank that door back open when she pulled me back.

“No! Please, my lady!” she screamed. “Have mercy on the lord!”