Simon's polite smile greeted Cheryl as she turned around.
"I'm glad you showed up. Do you require assistance, Princess?" Simon cast a glance at Cheryl's clothes as he spoke.
Cheryl caught a glimpse of it and immediately understood. Simon, no doubt, objected to seeing her dressed like this at the banquet. Cheryl holds Simon responsible because he was the one who delivered the invitation to her. Wouldn't she have needed to come and be an eyesore if he hadn't been invited? Wait, it appears that Eugene, not Simon, is the one who is in the wrong here!
Cheryl rolls her eyes imaginatively, but she's acting politely.
"Yeah, I guess I'm a little uneasy. I guess I should go back."
Having said that, Cheryl was getting ready to leave.
However, there was a commotion coming from the main door. The Marquess, Edgar Baldwin, had apparently arrived. People's attention was immediately diverted. The young women were as upbeat as they had been at the parade the day before.
Cheryl could see Edgar walking into the hall at a leisurely pace from where she was standing. His handsome face was emotionless but endearing. His frame was tall and stocky, and he was dressed in a red royal coat with black accents. It gives him a bold yet cold aura.
In the middle of the hall, the king's personal servant greeted him. He respectfully greeted Edgar before leading the way to the inner hall, where the king awaited him.
Cheryl watched Edgar come and go among the guests, sighing with relief when she didn't see him again.
"Princess, since Lord Marquess has arrived, would you mind joining the other Princesses in the inner hall? There, you must greet the King and the Marquess."
Cheryl was taken aback. She had forgotten Simon was still standing nearby. Cheryl sneered inside. Do you want her to appear in front of Edgar? Do not fantasise!
"I'm feeling a little uneasy. I'll be right back." Cheryl said it again.
Simon stopped Cheryl before she could walk away.
"It's fine if you want to come back early, but please first come to the inner hall."
Cheryl glared angrily at Simon. Cheryl immediately labelled him with the word 'annoying' because she insisted on coming to the inner hall.
Someone slammed into Cheryl from behind. Cheryl's dress was soaked by the glasses they were all carrying. The maid quickly apologised and gathered the strewn glasses. The guests were immediately drawn to the minor incident.
Cheryl is a little perplexed. She was hesitant to be there before because she was being stared at, and now she is even more hesitant because her clothes were wet.
"Because of the maid's carelessness, your dress is wet. Please follow me to change if you wish."
Cheryl decided to accompany Simon because he offered. It's not safe to walk around at night in wet clothes. She was terrified of getting a cold.
Simon led her into a closed room. The man knocked, and a maid opened the door. Then Simon let Cheryl in.
There were several dresses worn by mannequins and chairs in the room, as well as a dressing table full of various beauty products. It could be similar to a dressing room for artists in the original world.
The maid who opened the door approached Cheryl. "Please allow me to change your dress, Your Highness."
"Oh, okay."
The maid moved with grace. It took only two seconds to remove Cheryl's simple clothes. Then she was joined by her underwear.
Cheryl exclaimed. She grabbed the maid's hand and held it. "What are you up to?"
The maid grinned. "I'll also change your underwear. Because yours is dripping wet, Your Highness."
That is correct. Cheryl was wearing a thin dress. When she was splashed with water, the moisture seeped inside as well. Cheryl let go of her grip, embarrassed.
Cheryl was dressed in gowns, both inside and out, about twenty minutes later. The light yellow gown was simple yet elegant. The shoulders are embellished with lace and a lovely ribbon in the centre. The arms are narrow above the elbows but wide below. The skirt is layered; the outer layer is thin and light, creating the illusion of fluffiness even without a petticoat. The rose embroidery on the skirt's hem is also quite lovely.
While Cheryl was admiring the gown, the maid applied some powder and rouge to her face before quickly doing her hair. Cheryl wore her long hair in an elegant bun, with two tendrils of hair on either side of her face. A flower-shaped hair ornament is inserted by the maid. She finished by wrapping a single pearl necklace around Cheryl's neck.
"It is finished, Your Highness."
Simon is still standing outside the door. Simon was taken aback when he saw the door open and Cheryl walk in.
Cheryl appeared uneasy in response to Simon's surprised expression.
"What's the problem? Is it a bad look?" Cheryl inquired, concerned.
Simon averted his gaze a little nervously. "Please excuse my rudeness, Princess. Please follow me, and I'll take you to the inner hall."
Cheryl smirked. Simon seemed to be insisting on taking her to the inner hall. But what is the point?
"Do you think I should go?"
"Princess, you are correct. The other princesses joined her."
Cheryl locked her gaze on Simon. She didn't care whether or not the princesses went to the inner hall. Most importantly, why did she have to come along as well?
Cheryl considered her options carefully. Simon introduces himself as Eugene's servant, implying that everything Simon does is at Eugene's direction. So, Eugene also ordered him to enter the inner hall.
For the time being, nothing is certain. But first, she needed to say thank you.
"This outfit and jewellery set. Should I send it back later? It's a little too fancy for me."
"The prince stated that it was a gift for you. You are welcome to it "Simon responded.
They arrived at the inner hall's door.
"I have forwarded your invitation to Sir Alex, the King's personal butler. Please enter, Princess."
Simon flung open the door for her. He still had a polite smile on his face. Cheryl was irritated by that smile because she didn't believe it was genuine.
"Thank you very much, Simon."
Cheryl took over. The space known as the inner hall is still quite large. Cheryl entered through a door on the side. To get to the main room, there was still a two-meter-long hallway to cross. She remained standing, listening to the voices from the main room.
The princesses were apparently summoned one by one by invitation. Because the first and second Princesses were already married, the third Princess, Yvette, was summoned first.
Cheryl saw Princess Yvette enter with the assistance of her maid from the hallway where she was. Cheryl was taken aback because Yvette was stunning. Her beauty is beyond description. Anyway, everything is perfect from head to toe. Her demeanour was also elegant, as was the manner in which she walked. It's no surprise Edgar was smitten with Yvette; she was as stunning as a goddess.
Cheryl couldn't see how Edgar would react after seeing Yvette because the wall obscured her vision.
The fourth Princess, who was 18 years old like Claudia, was called next. She was only a few months older.
The fourth Princess, like Yvette, arrived in style. Although her face is not as lovely as Yvette's, she has a charming appearance.
A few moments later, the king's servant shouted a name in a loud voice that was devoid of any pride.
"Please come in, fifth princess Claudia Rowe."
Cheryl's heart pounded when she heard Claudia's name called. She was terrified of having to appear in front of Edgar. The appearance of a snippet of her nightmare at this time made Cheryl even more terrified.
In contrast to a certain girl's panic, Edgar, who had been sitting lazily in the main guest chair, became intrigued when Claudia Rowe's name was mentioned. His heart pounded frantically, as if anticipating the arrival of his beloved girl.