The Alpha's Revenge

Chapter 18: Starkly Crimson Dress

Early in the morning, the whole palace was abuzz. Everyone was busy preparing for the examination that would be held in the late afternoon. This year’s event will be held in the Heavenly Pavilion, just like in the past.

“Lady Kira, why are you still in bed?… You should prepare now or it will be too late. The dress made by Mrs. Parella has already arrived.” Auntie Herma said in a hurry.

She never expected that her lady was still lazing around in bed. Among all the people in the palace, it was only her who was calm. Even Lady Valerie was already frantically preparing for the event.

Kira yawned lazily and stared at Auntie with teary eyes. It was clear that she had just woken up from her sleep. “What’s with the rush, Auntie Herma?… Relax and have a seat first.”

Although confused about her lady’s actions, she still followed her orders and sat down. Auntie Herma thought that since her lady was very healthy, she would be happy and excited to attend the examination.

But who would have thought that she wasn’t a bit excited at all? It’s like what she said before that she would be joining the event was just said in passing.

“Lady Kira, aren’t you going to attend the examination?” Auntie Herma curiously asked.

Kira smiled and walked out of her bed. She sat on the chair facing Auntie Herma and calmly took a sip of green tea, “Of course, I will. I told you about it before and that I will join.”

Auntie Herma smiled after hearing her affirmation, but as she looked at her carefree attitude, she said with some hesitation, “Then, why aren’t you preparing, Lady Kira?… When I walked past Lady Valerie’s room, she was already preparing.”

Kira tucked her reddish hair behind her ear before replying, “Don’t worry, Auntie Herma… It won’t be too late for me to prepare. For now, we still have to witness another drama first.”

Not a moment later, Bariston arrived in the room. After saying his greetings, he immediately reported, “I have already made the preparations, Lady Kira. Everything is already set.”

“Good… Now, let the show begin.” she meaningfully said and stood up from her seat. She walked back into her bed while secretly eating a pill that she had hidden inside her long silk nightgown.

As she laid back on her bed, her skin turned pale and her face went sick. The healthy-looking Kira earlier turned weak and sickly in an instant.

Auntie Herma was so frightened to her bones that she worriedly stood up and was about to check on her. But, Bariston held her arms to stop her. “What are you doing? We should check on Lady Kira.”

“Auntie Herma, this is part of Lady Kira’s plan. Just trust her on this, she’s fine.” Bariston assured her.

Auntie Herma was about to speak when the door opened. It was Lady Valerie who entered. Wearing her newly made pink dress and her hair styled with shining diamonds. It made her exceptionally beautiful.

Valerie came to visit Kira for a reason. She was checking whether her sickness didn’t come today or not. And so, when she saw her sister, lying weakly on her bed, her eyes flashed wickedly.

“Sister, why aren’t you preparing yet? The examination will start in the afternoon. Father doesn’t want us to be late.” Valerie smiled innocently.

Kira sneered in her heart, Valerie was feigning ignorance right now. Although it was very clear that she came here not to check whether she was done preparing but to check whether she could attend the event or not.

She had already anticipated it. That’s why she took a pill a while ago that would make her look weak. In this way, Valerie would let her guard down and would think that her plan would go as planned.

“I’m sorry sister,” Kira faked a coughed and looked at Valerie weakly, “I don’t think I have the strength to attend the examination… I don’t know why but I’m currently feeling sick and weak right now.”

Valerie hurriedly moved forward. Her face showed a deeply worried expression and said, “Are you okay? You were fine yesterday, so why are you suddenly sick right now?”

She looked at the two people who were standing in the corner, “What are you doing? Why is my younger sister sick again?… Auntie Herma, why didn’t you take proper care of her? My mother entrusted you to take care of Kira, but what are you doing right now!” she scolded them harshly.

Although Kira felt uncomfortable hearing Valerie scolding Auntie Herma and Bariston, she kept her silence. She had to show Valerie that she couldn’t oppose her.

But she would remember every word she said and would return them to her one day. ‘Just you wait, Valerie… In every criticism and scolding, you said to them, I will return them to you!’ she vowed in her heart.

After a couple of moments, Valerie left the room. But before she left, she had already called a physician to check on Kira. She wanted to make sure that Kira was really sick and was not faking it.

She didn’t know why she was feeling uneasy, but there’s nothing wrong with double-checking everything. Especially right now that there are some changes she saw in Kira.

She can’t point out what exactly that is and that’s making her feel disturbed.

So, when the physician reported to her that Kira was indeed sick and she couldn’t attend the examination, she finally sighed in relief.

“Dave, relay my message, Morgana. Tell her that she can proceed with the plan.”

‘Let’s see how you can get away with this, Kira!’

Inside Kira’s room, Bariston scoffed mockingly after Valerie left. “She’s really pretentious! I’m sure she just came here to check whether you are sick or not, Lady Kira. Those were only fake concerns.”

Auntie Herma slapped him gently, “Watch your words. Someone might hear you.”

Kira just smiled at them before saying, “Now that the drama is over. Shall we start with the preparation?”

She took another pill and ate it. After a few seconds, her complexion became better instantly. Auntie Herma was so surprised after seeing such a marvelous thing.

“Lady Kira, where did you get that pill?! It’s so majestic!” she exclaimed.

Kira shot a glance at Bariston before saying, “Bariston bought this for me. He once told me that he saw a pill that can make a person look sick. That’s why I asked him to buy one for me.”

For now, it’s not yet the right time for Auntie Herma to learn about her medical knowledge. That’s why she used Bariston as an excuse.

Auntie Herma knew that Bariston frequently sneaked outside, so it was not a question that he would encounter something like that.

As expected, Auntie Herma didn’t doubt the authenticity of her words. “Shall we now look at the dress Lady Kira? I heard that Mrs. Parella’s dresses are the best among the best.”

Auntie Herma opened the box she had bought earlier, “Lady Kira, here’s the dress.”

As Kira took out the dress from the box, everyone in the room gasped. The crimson red dress covers only a small portion of her shoulders and flows down into a simple keyhole neckline.

It’s a close fit that emphasizes her breasts in an elegant and dignified manner.

And when Kira wore it, her arms were completely covered. The sleeves are a tight, but comfortable fit from top to bottom, allowing for enough movement while still looking stylish.

The dress's waist is broad, but its slim fits. There’s an embellished gold and white butterfly around the waistline which makes it look like a belt.

Below the waist, the dress widens slightly and has a pleat style. The dress reaches all the way down to the ground and is longer at the sides and back of the dress.

Jade-green flowers were embroidered on the skirt, making it more elegant.

When Auntie Herma had taken a good look at the dress Kira was wearing, she couldn’t help but praise her in amazement, “Lady Kira! You are so beautiful!”

Kira just smiled and looked at herself in the mirror. She never thought that Mrs. Parella would be able to make a dress like this. She was indeed worthy of her reputation.