Chapter 34: Welcome
Lumielle didn't wish to go back. She wanted to simply retire into the confines of her castle and never show her face again. Her father had made her nothing more than a public attraction for those to gawk at. It was absolutely humiliating. Straightening her spine, she gripped Asterias's hand. Relax, she needed to steel her heart and calm her mind. She shouldn't have been so easily swayed. Perhaps, she had put too much faith inside of the Emperor. Lumielle had believed that perhaps, she had changed him. The heavy rose necklace felt like an anchor pulling her closer and closer to the abysmal bottom of the lake. She was drowning. Truly, it was an ugly necklace. They walked inside as Vera was the first one to greet them, "Mielle!"
"Are you alright?" Yennafer asked, her blue eyes showed worried. Glistening with concern, Lumielle gave them a smile. Indeed, she could see that everyone was staring at her. How would she react? What was happening? They all wanted to know. Lumielle had already given Cosette the upper hand by fleeing. She had known and yet, she still felt as though she was moronic.
"I was just surprised sorry to worry you all."
Vera scowled, "The daughter of De Saude," she huffed, "I don't like her already." The past was dependable and Lumielle knew it. It didn't deviate. It rarely moved unless she was actively trying to change it. Why was it so difficult to change the future? It felt as though she was drowning in the river of the dead, attempting to walk through molasses. Sluggish movements and barely any progress burdened her.
Asterias gave a smile towards the three ladies. "It's a pleasure to meet the Princess's friends," he hummed out warmly as Elise gave a bow.
"The honor is all ours," Vera responded back.
It was then that a group of young girls approached her. They had been the ones that she was conversing with previously. Julianna had seemingly made her presence known, she was the one leading the gaggle of women. Impressive, Lumielle had to compliment the young girl, it was awfully difficult to sit upon a hierarchy. Perhaps, that was why Cosette liked the female. She would be an awfully good ally in high society. Then again, it seemed that she had already perturbed her. There was no use groveling at the knees of this child when she had Vera.
"The Emperor looked as magnanimous as ever," Keira chirped complimenting her father. Lumielle forced herself to smile. Indeed, her father looked amazing but no one was talking about him. For once, the conversation swayed towards Cosette. The decorative young girl that was by his side. It was obvious to see and she could feel the presence of the young female on the other side of the room. Already, people had flocked towards her.
What an annoyance.
"The Emperor is unrivaled," Lumielle spoke. He was unrivaled in his absolute need to demean Lumielle. How pathetic. She had gotten her hopes up for a man that was only going to rip it shreds. It was as if he had blinded her; Lumielle had to almost laugh, she was still a naive little girl despite going back in time. There would be no regrets. She would not need to depend on anyone else other than herself.
"I was so surprised in seeing Lady Cosette," Julianna said, her words were saccharine. "She looked so beautiful today."
Vera spoke up before Lumielle could, "I forget how young people are so easily startled by things." Her smile was warm as she looked down at the girl, "Don't worry, you'll learn things as you age. You should ask your sister about it, I'm sure she would be happy to teach you."
A war of women was as dangerous as swords. Vernacular and speech could easily be sharpened. Ready to plunge themselves deeper and harsher into open wounds, Lumielle knew that the first person to falter would lose. She had no intention of doing so.
"I thank Lady Veronica for her kind words," Julianna said, a smile on her face but obvious agitation hidden beneath the skin of her flowery exterior.
Elise was the one who spoke up, "We should get going, Vera." Leaning into the girl's ear, Elise whispered something that Lumielle couldn't catch. Yennafer also tilted her head curiously as Elise also slipped something to the female. Veronica looked amused, the type of mischief that made her eyes scintillate in the light.
"Then, we shall be taking our leave, I hope you enjoy tonight, Mielle!" Vera chirped warmly gently taking her hand and her own before turning around to leave.
What had they discussed?
Julianna seemed to exhale; for her, the main issue was gone. The paper princess was an easy opponent to crush. Everything was calculated, if she showed that she was above the Imperial Princess, then she would be able to solidify herself as one of the highest-ranking members of high society. It was their first time attending an event, which meant that this impression would be lasting.
"Do you really hate her that much, Princess?" Julianna asked, her eyes were warm but her tongue was silver. "I mean, who would like to see their father escorting someone else to their debutante ball?"
She was seriously going for it. Lumielle almost laughed. Did this young girl see her as weak? She supposed that her reputation had not been established. No one was as foolish to try and win against Lumielle when it came to a verbal battle. She had been blessed with a quick tongue being able to rip apart her enemies all the while keeping her composure. She infuriated Cosette. Her blunt attitude and manner of speech had become infamous.
Lumielle gave her a smile, "I am blessed that my father is such a generous man. Honoring Duke De Saude's last wishes. I hope to find friends like that in my lifetime. Isn't it an honor to see my father be so kind and amicable to follow through with the late Duke De Saude's wishes?"
"The Emperor is indeed kind," Julianna spoke, "Though, I heard you excused yourself. Are you feeling alright?" She feigned concern reaching out to her as Lumielle wished to roll her eyes. Composure was easily managed. That was right, she was just a petulant child.
"It was also partially my fault," Asterias claimed, placing a hand on his chest, "I was late and the Princess went looking for me." That was a complete lie but she could use it to her advantage. Asterias was helping her.
Asterias placed his free hand on his chest, "It is a pleasure to meet you ladies. I was late escorting the Princess to tonight's debutante. All you ladies look gorgeous." He was articulate and calm. His words were smooth and easy to listen to. There was no reason as to why he was called a heartbreaker. Ruenti had been correct, Asterias was a womanizer.
"The pleasure is all ours," Julianna said, curtsying a slight blush on her cheeks.
They would have to meet and address Cosette soon. She knew that but she hadn't expected Cosette to come to her so quickly. In her past life, Lumielle had grabbed Cosette's arm angrily, her halcyon eyes glaring at the poor girl as Cosette's eyes glazed over. She cried; gaining sympathy. Her father had just died and now the evil Princess was harassing her. She had been so stupid, emotions being the guide as she tried so desperately to understand why Cosette was better. Asterias had gone to grab her a drink as she waited for him.
"I greet the Star of Endora," Cosette said bowing. Eyes were cast on the two of them as Lumielle gave a nod.
"Welcome Lady Cosette, you look lovely," Lumielle spoke warmly, "I express my condolences towards your father. I wouldn't even know what I would do if my own passed. I don't think I would even be able to come tonight, I commend your strength." The words though kind were veiled with venom. She had come here after the death of her father? She hadn't mourned him? Lumielle proving that she would be filial and stay in mourning.
Cosette looked surprised at the amicable front that Lumielle put on, "Thank You! You are so kind. You are just like the Emperor being so sweet," she giggled, "I never expected the Emperor to be my escort. I hope that you don't mind!" Her brows were scrunched up as if she was worried.
What a little terror. Cosette had never been an easy opponent. Insinuating that the Emperor was escorting her and garnering sympathy. Lumielle really couldn't believe the gall of this woman. She understood why her childish self had gone irate.
"The Emperor must have cherished your father dearly, Lady Cosette," Asterias spoke as her eyes sparkled. Turning her attention towards Asterias, she smiled. Like budding roses, Lumielle begrudgingly admitted that her innocent simper paired with the lovely outfit that she wore made her look as though she was nothing more than a delicate fair maiden in need of protecting. Her short stature and her soft curls framed her as angelic.
"Asterias, I haven't seen you in a while," she answered warmly, "Are you her escort?"
He nodded, "She gave me the honor of escorting her."
They were familiar with one another. After all, they were the children of the three Duchies of Endora. It would make sense. "I'm sorry but I-I wanted to ask," Cosette said gently fiddling with her hands as if she was debating saying something, "Do you hate me?"
"No," Lumielle spoke, what a lie. "I'm sorry if you thought of that Lady Cosette. I just sympathize with you. I have also lost a parent though it was at such a young age. The Empress, my mother, was beloved by all, especially my father. When I heard that your father died, I couldn't help but feel overcome with emotions." She was deceiving everyone around her, but it didn't matter. She leaned closer to Asterias who reacted quickly by gently holding her.
Cosette looked surprised by her response as Lumielle almost laughed. Did this child truly think that she could outwit her? Asterias's gloved hand gently patted her back as the crowd murmured. Good, she was gaining sympathy.
"Did I do anything to make Lady Cosette believe I hated you?" Lumielle pressed, she wanted to smile. Tell them—paint me as a villain.
"No!" Cosette said her words somewhat flushed with haste. It seemed like her plots were foiled. This was oddly satisfying. In the past, Lumielle would have spit that she did hate Cosette; tell her that she was nothing more than a fake trying to take her place. It was the truth but no one wished to hear veracity. Cosette had told her that lesson. She had engraved that into her skin and soul. No one wanted to hear the truth; they wanted to feel sympathy, feel the tugging at their heartstrings.
"I-I just," Cosette's cheeks were tinged with pink.
"Either way, I'm sorry," Lumielle spoke her words dripping with sympathy as she furrowed her brow, "I don't wish for the daughter of my beloved father's friend to believe I hate her." Moving forward, she pulled away from Asterias and gently held Cosette's hand. She squeezed it.
Ah, how satisfying.
"Why did Lady Cosette even say that?"
"The Princess is so nice. . ."
"Don't you feel bad for the Princess?"
People were so fickle.
"Princess," Asterias spoke approaching her with a smile, "If you keep spending time with Cosette, I'll start to get jealous. I am your escort after all."
Lumielle resisted the urge to wipe that smile off his face, "I apologize, Sir Asterias."
"Then, shall we go?" He asked as he took her hand, "Will you do the honor of dancing with me?"
"I hope you enjoy tonight Lady Cosette," Lumielle hummed.
That was right. In her past life, she didn't have an escort. She didn't dance. Lumielle could only watch as her father danced with Cosette and she was alone. It was humiliating. The debutante had ended in her tears as the carriage ride home was absolutely silent. Viria laughed at her, finding her misery amusing. A paper princess, that was what she was.
"Yeah," Lumielle spoke. A smile curved on her face, a real one. It scintillated her eyes warmly as Asterias felt his cheeks flush. Turning away, he guided her to the dance floor. He hadn't expected her to look at him like that.
"Rias?" Lumielle queried tilting her head.
"It's nothing."
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone