Blood Contract with her Royal Villainess

♕CHAPTER 4♕

♕CANA ANNALIS ♕

"There! You look lovely, Dianna," I commented as I placed my hands on Dianna's shoulders while she's just staring at her own reflection as if she was seeing a different person from before.

I guess she's speechless about her appearance now, huh? I thought as I secretly smiled at her reaction. I looked over at the wall clock and saw the remaining two hours for me to prepare myself.

"I'll prepare myself now, so you just stay there and just...whatever," I said as I quickly strode my way towards my wardrobe and open it. I scanned all the dresses inside and decided to wear a red fitted dress with an off-shoulder long sleeve and a very seductive cut on the chest area.

This is so revealing! I protested on my head, but I remembered the other set of dresses inside the wardrobe. I sighed since this is the most decent one of the rest. I decided to put down my long hair and curl the tips to cover most of my skin, especially my chest and shoulders.

"Alright, I'm done," I announced as I wear my high-heeled white sandals. With the two hours left for me, I was able to pick out my dress, made my hair, and applied my own makeup. I turned around and looked at Dianna. She's still checking her appearance. She's already wearing the dress I made for her, and I made some of her hair into a braid and made it into a headband. Then, I put the rest of her hair into a high bun while I left some strands of her golden hair on both sides of her face and curled it. Regarding our makeups, it's just a simple style since there's not much of an option for the eye shadows. Maybe because they still don't have the machines to make such a grandiose makeup set.

Wait, what if I start my own skincare business here? I mean, I have futuristic knowledge about skincare routines, so maybe I could use that to establish my own business here. I thought while nodding my head and thinking about that possibility, but then someone called out my name, so my thoughts were brought back to reality.

"Lady Kiera, your carriage is ready," the same servant whom I told to clean my room earlier announced after she bows her head.

"Let's go, Dianna. The carriage is ready," I called out, but I saw her still looking at her reflection.

Yes, girl, you are so beautiful tonight, thanks to my skillful hands. I proudly uttered inside my head. I noticed the servant looking at Dianna and mine's makeup, and she asked without a second thought.

"Lady Kiera, that color in your faces, it's...different from what the other ladies are using. Did you make that yourself?"

"Yes, I did. Who else should do it?" I answered in an irritated tone and raised my right eyebrow at her, just like what Kiera would do, and she quickly bowed her head and shut her mouth.

"Diana! Let's go! The carriage is waiting. Stop fantasizing about yourself and start walking!" I shouted at Diana, which snapped her out of her thoughts, so I walked out of the room and felt her presence following behind me.

I gracefully walked down at the grand staircase of the mansion, and as soon as I took my first step on the ground floor, I saw the Duchess waiting in front of the carriage. I looked around her and didn't see the Duke with her.

What kind of a father is he!? He won't even greet me, I mean, Kiera, on her graduation night!? I thought and clenched my fists, but then I saw the Duchess smiling at me, and somehow, that eases my anger.

"Kiera, you look so beautiful tonight. I didn't know you have that dress with you," she commented while smiling.

"And look at those make-ups and hairs; who helped you with your preparations? She's very talented," she added.

"Uhm, it's just me," I replied, and she was taken aback by my answer. I also saw the sadness in her eyes. There's also a trace of guilt from what her daughter is experiencing.

Didn't she know that her daughter has no personal maid? Well, I can't blame her; after all, she's just the Duchess, a woman standing as the Duke's wife, no more, no less. I thought as I looked at Duchess Carla.

"Don't worry, mom, I wanted to do it myself, so don't think too much about nonsense things," I said to her, which surprised her that I was able to tell what she was thinking.

"I see, but I will still ask your father to give you a personal maid, just like with Keisha," she said and smiled at me. I was happy to hear that, but of course, I still have to act like Kiera, so I simply nodded at her, then I nudged Dina to get inside the carriage. Dianna bowed to my mother first and smiled at her before entering the carriage, and I followed behind her.

As soon as the carriage started moving on its tracks, I peeked outside the window and waved my hand at my mother. As soon as she saw me waving my hand, she waved back at me and smiled. I secretly smiled before I sat properly inside the carriage and heaved a deep sigh, same as with Diana. We both looked at each other and giggled. It's good to know that I'm not the only person who's nervous about attending this graduation ball.

"We can do this, Diana," I told her, and she nodded at me with a courageous smile.

As we spend more time inside the carriage, I did my best to calm myself and think of a plan for tonight's graduation ball.

As far as I remember, the other students, sons, and daughters of the aristocrats attending this party will bully Diana. The thing is, I forgot what the exact scene would be, and all I know is that Diana will accidentally spill her wine on a dress of the Marquess's daughter. After that, the people inside the ballroom started to make fun of her and poured their wines on her head, which made Diana's worst night ever. I also remembered that Kiera was secretly laughing at Diana at that time, and she's ordering her classmates to keep ruining Diana's night.

Diana was crowned that same night, with her dress soaking wet, her hair messed up, her eyes puffing from crying. She was called on stage and crowned in front of everyone else, looking like trash. Her grandfather, the current Emperor, arrived too late to help and protect his granddaughter. Due to what he has seen of her granddaughter's situation, he commanded that all of those who hurt and insulted Diana will be imprisoned for three months. Kiera was supposed to be one of those who were caught, but Diana told her grandfather that Kiera was innocent and prevented the royal guards from taking Kiera to the dungeon. With this event, Kiera made use of Diana's kindness for her own benefit.

But, since I am the new Kiera now, I will not let anyone hurt Diana. I will protect her so that the Emperor will see that I am his granddaughter's friend. This will help me ensure Kiera's life by being on the Emperor's good side.

"Lady Kiera, we will be arriving soon at the banquet hall," Diana said, so I looked out the window and saw how vast the academy's garden is. I also noticed the different carriages used by the other students and guests for tonight's graduation ball.

I felt my hands went numb as the realization finally hits me. This is it. This is the truth. I am living as Kiera now, and that I am inside the academy now, which is a top-rated museum at my own time.

"Lady Kiera, look, it's Sir Grimm," Diana whispered at my left ear, and my eyes automatically followed at the direction she's pointing at where we can clearly see a tall man. His hair is brown, just perfect for his tan skin. From where I am sitting now, I can see how beautiful his light brown eyes as they observed his surroundings. His presence alone makes him so manly.

That man is Grimm Herveaux, one of the royal knights, and he became a General when Empress Diana promoted him in the year 1650. Base on the book, he has feelings for Diana, and before Diana could meet Viggo, the vampire who will kill Kiera, Diana had a crush on Grimm. Both Diana and Kiera had a crush on him, and when Kiera found out that Grimm loves Diana, Kiera became angrier with Diana; she became more jealous of Diana, then Kiera found out too that Diana rejected Grimm, the man Kiera loved, for a mere vampire slave.

While reading the book, I also felt sorry for Grimm since he's my favorite character, but what else can I do? Diana chose Viggo, a vampire slave whom she fell in love with. When I was still in my own body, I still can't believe the part of Viggo being a vampire since I don't think there are vampires alive in this era, but, now that I, a normal archeologist student and a normal human being, was brought back inside my favorite book, I don't think it's impossible anymore.

"Lady Kiera, is there something wrong? Lady Kiera?" Diana called me and gently tapped my shoulder, which brought me back to my senses. I sat up straight and fixed myself.

"Let's get inside. Sir Grimm went in already," she said with her so girly voice when she saw her crush.

The two of us went inside the banquet hall, and my jaw almost dropped when I saw all the white and golden designs inside this enormous room. There are also big windows that are covered by big and thick red curtains. The whole room was light up by three giant chandeliers with brilliant crystals.

The whole place looks so lively, and it's giving me a feeling that I am in a 3D version of the pictures from my history class.

I was busy scanning the whole place when I noticed the people around Diana and me were looking at us, no, to Diana. They're all checking her appearance while I stood here beside her with a proud look on my face.

Behold! The Empress Regnant of the Lumire Empire! I made that gown, and I did her makeup too! You guys better compliment her! I thought to myself as I looked at the people around us, especially the women looking envious of Diana's dress.

"Huh? Is that...Diana? As in, Diana, the commoner?" I overheard one of the ladies talking about Diana while looking at her dress.

"Where did she get that? It doesn't look that expensive, but I like the designs. I want that one too," another woman spoke while looking intently at Diana's dress.

"Lady Kiera, everyone's staring at us," Diana whispered in my ear as she gently grabbed my left arm. As soon as she did, I felt her cold hands trembling.

Don't be so nervous. Soon to be Empress Diana. It should be me who feels nervous since I'm the newbie here. I thought to myself.

"Don't mind them. They're just jealous because you're the most beautiful woman at this party tonight," I replied and grabbed the wine that a servant handed to me when I entered the banquet hall.

"But it's too embarrassing. I-I'm not used to wearing this kind of dress. I-Is it really okay if I wear this fabulous dress?" she asked, and my eyebrow automatically raised at her question.

"What are you talking about? Stop thinking like that. You have all the right to enjoy this party and wear whatever you want since you also graduated this school year, just like the rest of us, alright?" I said to her with my hands on my waist. She nodded her head as a reply, yet she still acts like she's still shy of her appearance.

I was about to take a sip from my wine when I saw a servant handing a glass of wine to Diana. I quickly grabbed the wine.

"Huh? Lady Kiera? You have one already," Diana said and pointed at my wine.

Yeah, I know. I already have my share of wine, but you're not allowed to drink since I don't have any idea when you might spill this wine to a daughter of a Marquess. I replied in my head.

"You're not allowed to drink. I don't want to take a drunken woman back to her house," I replied to her instead.

"Well, you're right. It will be hard for me to go home if I'm drunk," she said, and I nodded at her.

"Then I'll just go grab some water, wait for me here, Lady Kiera," she said, and I promptly shook my head as a no.

"No, don't!" I said louder than what's intended, so she looked at me with a shocked expression.

"I will go, and you should just stay here, okay? Just stay here and eat. Don't you ever leave your seat, understood?" I commanded her. Even though she's still confused, she just nodded her head at me.

I need to do this to avoid any scenes that might end up with Diana being bullied. Every person here has their hateful eyes set on Diana, so it is my duty to protect her until she's crowned as a princess by the emperor himself.

I looked around and saw a servant carrying a tray of wine and water, so I walked straight to him and grabbed a glass of water; then I went back as quickly as possible to where I left Diana. As I walk back to our table, I noticed that everything written in our history book about the gatherings and events in this era is the same.

All these people around us are greeting each other, then talked about their family ranks and status in society. It's a bit suffocating, actually. I never imagined that in my normal life, I would be experiencing this kind of gathering.

At the other side of the hall, I heard a piece of loud music, a sign that it's time for the first dance of the cotillion. Each pair went to the center of the dance floor and made a circle formation to make it easier for them to change their partners as the song progresses. I was enjoying myself as I watched the dancers perform. It is a great honor to witness the things that happened in our history before.

I enjoyed watching them when I noticed a woman standing alone at the dancers' center. My smile turned into a worried look. Diana is standing at the center of the dancers, and it looks like her partner intentionally left her there. She's just standing there while the others started laughing at her since, during this era, it is a shame to be left behind by your partner during a dance.

Her partner did not just leave her, whoever he is. Not even a single man took a turn to be her partner. They put her in the middle of everyone so she could not leave that spot while they're dancing and laughing at Diana.

Are you f*cking kidding me!? Is this how they treat the common people during this time!? My grip on the glass that I am holding tightened. I'm pissed right now, but I can't do anything to take Diana out of that place, so I looked around and saw Sir Grimm. I saw him walking upstairs, so I followed him.

Maybe he'll be willing to have a dance with Diana and take her out of that crowd. I thought as I followed the man, but at the far end corner of the hallway, I saw Sir Grimm walking towards the emperor, who's watching Diana from afar while watching the other students having their fun laughing at Diana. Like he's waiting for Diana to do something about her situation right now, but I know that she's nervous.

I looked at Diana and saw her looking at me with pleading eyes, asking for help. But what can I do? What should I do? I can't call Sir Grimm while he's in the presence of the emperor. One more thing. This is the time where I can prove to Diana and the emperor that I am on their side that I am no longer the Kiera that will be laughed at her friend's hardships.

I inhaled a deep breath and walked straight to where Diana is. I just keep walking towards Diana without a care as to who I am bumping into, which resulted in them stopping dancing and looked at me.

"Hey! I told you not to leave our table," I said to Diana in an irritated voice, but then I sighed and spoke again.

"I shouldn't be the one asking you this, but here goes nothing," I uttered and grabbed the ends of my dress and folded it up to my right knee and moved my left leg backward.

"May I have this dance, Lady Diana?" I asked her and smiled at her. She looked at me with teary eyes before nodding her head. She bowed her head too and did the same position I did before grabbing my hand.

"My pleasure, Lady Kiera," she replied; then, we both laughed at our situation before we both started dancing with the music. We were both dancings while doing the steps for the ladies, and we may look stupid while doing this, but at least we are happy. We ignored every eye looking in our direction while we continue with our dance.

Good thing this body still remembers the steps for this dance. I thought as I giggled at what we're doing right now. As we both twirled and kept dancing, I noticed our dresses forming a flower-like structure with every turns we make. I can even hear the claps and cheers of the other guests from around us. We kept dancing and dancing like we owned the whole dancing floor, and as the music ends, we both bowed our heads at each other while panting and smiling at the same time.

That was so tiring but fun, too! I thought to myself.

"That was beautiful. It's as if I'm watching two flowers dancing in the air," a woman commented.

"I never imagine I would see Lady Kiera smile like that," I overheard a man says to his friend.

"Are you sure that's Lady Kiera? The black sheep from the Ducal house of the Romolus?" His friend replied.

"Is that Diana? She dances like a noble lady, I'm impressed," another woman spoke.

Those are just some of the rumors going on inside the banquet hall, but then, suddenly, the whole place went silent when someone clapped so loud that it echoed throughout the whole room from the staircase.

We all turned around, and I noticed everyone's reaction when they saw the emperor walking his way down the stairs. As everyone recovered from the appearance of the great emperor, all of us except him kneeled and welcomed him with a loud and respectful voice.

"Greetings, Your Majesty, the Shining Sun of the Empire."

TO BE CONTINUED