Chapter 7
1531 Words
(Esmeray POV)
"You are awfully secretive, my lady" Cassy voiced as I turned and looked at her.
"I guess I am. There are a few things I need to get straight. I hope you understand that, Cassy."
I knew this time I couldn't run away from Cassy, so my only hope was to make her understand. I offered her a bribe and a chance to spend time with her sisters and although she hesitated, she finally gave in.
"Right now we were in a dress store, looking for the perfect dress.
"I just don’t understand why you need to buy a dress for the ball when your date is responsible for that. I mean its obvious, Sir Ethan will buy you a beautiful dress!"
Because I would rather die than wear it.
"Nothing much. It's just an excuse to buy a grand dress", I shrugged. Although she didn’t look like she believed what I said, she didn’t ask further.
Well, she can't ask too much since she is my maid.
"Lady Esmeray, what type of dress are you looking for" the designer walked in as I smiled at her.
"Hmm, I haven’t given much thought about the dress but I will tell you once I find it."
Madam Carsle's dresses are right now the most trending design in the kingdom and it is not disappointing. The dresses were exquisite and it is a high bidding price as well. But I had been saving money and it is more than enough to get any luxurious dress without even touching my monthly budget father gives me.
But I want a perfect dress. A dress that shines and impresses everyone.
Since the banquet is tomorrow, I couldn’t design a new one but what is here is enough. I knew what dresses both of them would wear and I just need to wear something that is much much better.
My eyes fell on a beautiful dress at the very end of the dress.
"Can I see that?"
"It's still in the process. The work is still not completed, my lady, but I can tell you it will be the dress of the month."
"Can it be ready by tomorrow?"
"There are still a lot of things to be done but having the moon of the Kingdom wearing it is something beyond great! It will fit you perfectly."
She took me to the dress in the back and started to explain about it. The dress was beautiful. It was blood red color and it was filled with red beaded designs. The hands were made of net but from the half way designs, it is clear that a beautiful twirling design with beads and glitter is the final appearance.
"Then shall we take your measurements?"
They quickly took my measurements and ensured the dress would arrive early in the morning so if I needed any alteration, it will be done by the end of the evening for the ball.
"That dress is gorgeous!" Cassy said as I nodded my head. "Shouldn’t we get the perfect ornaments?"
"Yea," I said, but my hand involuntarily went to the necklace I was wearing. The sapphire, for some reason, had always given me a calm feeling. It was always cool and the mysteriously attractive smell still lingered in it. I felt safe with it. "Let's buy red choker pearls and earrings"
The neckline of the dress is a bit low so I can't hide the jewellery but I can do something and cooperate it with the dress.
The rest of the morning was spent finding the rest of the fittings. In the afternoon, we had lunch in a famous restaurant. When it was done, I bid Cassy goodbye after giving her some money.
"Go have some fun with your sister. We will meet here after a few hours, OK?" I said as she nodded her head. She looked hesitated but she always loved to visit her sisters and this was a perfect opportunity since she was informed the youngest had a fever and was looking for her.
When she was gone, I went to a nearby commoners shop and brought a dress.
"I would like to wear it," I said as she nodded her head. She helped me put on the dress. I tied my hair into a loose bun before decorating it with a scarf. I then put on a hat and looked in the mirror feeling satisfied.
When I went to the garden, I was surprised to see the mystery man had already arrived.
"Lady Esmeray" he suddenly looked up at me with a smile.
"H-hello"
There was something about the way he said my name. It made my heart skip beats. Not to mention the smell that is lingering around him.
"Oh, you are in disguise?"
"Yes, but I seem to have failed since you found me quickly."
"Your disguise is good, my lady" the man chuckled before leaning in. "It's just that I have a special way of finding you,"
My eyes widened and I blushed, looking away.
"Can we go?" I said, clearing my throat.
"Come on," he said as he extended his hand. I raised one eyebrow as he grinned. "Now that you are in disguise, you can act like I am your lover."
"I can also act like I am your friend or acquaintance"
He laughed at my reply and retreated his hand. "Alright. As you wish"
"Oh by the way, what is your name?"
"Name?" He hummed before leaning close to my face. "How about you continue calling me Mystery Man? It sounds….. Interesting" he winked, making me clear my throat and look away.
"I-If that is what you want."
We walked to the market place and I started to look around.
"Don’t worry about the budget. I will be paying for your sister's gift, so get what you like", I said, as he looked at me with an amused look.
"If that is what master says, so" he gave a bow as if mocking me and I glared.
"So, how old is your sister?"
"She is 5. Although she acts too mature for her age" he muttered the 2nd sentence, making me chuckle.
"Seems like you like her."
"Of course. My siblings are my world"
"I see"
I wish I could say the same. But my sibling just wants to kill me.
"So you have any idea about what you want to give her?"
"Well, she likes shiny things," he said nodding his head. "Yea, she is really spoiled and loves priced things, as well. So obviously something shiny and priced"
"Then let's find something similar to that. Maybe a piece of jewelry". I then clicked my fingers and turned to him with a huge smile."How about we buy real jewelry?"
This way I will be able to compensate for the lower amount I paid him!
"You read my mind, Lady. I have the perfect place"
I was taken off guard when he grabbed my hand. But the sparks seemed to snap him out of his traces as he let go of my hand. "Sorry. I didn’t mean to do that. It just...... happened."
"I-it's ok"
He led the way but we kept stopping in many places.
"Shouldn't we get done with the present?" I asked as he only gave me a hum. He was trying to put the ring into the loop on the other side.
"Yea we should," he said, throwing the rings. All three of them hit a perfect landing and everyone applauded. Even I clapped, impressed at how well he did it.
"Congrats sir! You won this!" the shop owner said as he handed him a small puppy doll.
The mystery man grinned wide as he turned to me. "The place I mentioned only opens at a particular time and we still have 1 hour," he said before handing me the doll. "Here"
I took it and looked up at him confused.
"A present for you"
"I don’t need it."
"It will go to waste if you don’t accept it."
"You can give it to your sister."
"Yea she will, but her mother won't. And then that kid will start crying and make noise for the doll as it gets disposed of like some firewood for warmth."
I stopped on the track as he continued to walk.
What he said caught me off guard.
He stopped noticing I was not next to him. He turned around and looked at me with a small smile.
"If you don’t want it, I will take it. No need to look like that" he chuckled and walked,, to me. He tried to take the doll but his facial expression turned to surprise as I moved it away from him.
"It's ok. I will keep it."
Was it because I felt pity for this man? I don’t know but I felt the pain in his voice as he said that. For some reason, I could see the pain through his smiles.
"A-Are you sure?" the man in front of me stuttered and I was shocked to see his cheek turn red.
"Yea. I am. Thank you for this. I will keep it safe"
- Writer
