บท 24: The White Theme

Rosina paced back and forth while glancing over the contract offer envelope. She only slept for three hours before her mind decided it was time to start thinking.

"This is the day that I must decide," Rosina muttered to herself while biting her fingernail.

Rosina never thought that someone would offer a mating contract. She initially thought she would hire someone to act as a lover to have some peace, but she decided to ditch her parent's request to piss them off.

*knock knock!*

A knock on the door brought Rosina's mind to reality.

"Come in."

Fina and Sal entered the room with a cart and the dress. They greeted Rosina with a big smile of excitement.

Rosina glanced at the clock on the bedside table since she had thought it was too early for them to come. She realized it was already 7:00 in the morning, and she had been procrastinating for more than four hours.

"Are you feeling well, Lady Rose? Your complexion doesn't look good," Fina stated and stared into Rosina's face, which had deep dark bags under her eyes.

"I woke up early," Rosina answered and sat on the chair as Sal placed the breakfast on the table.

"It must be from excitement," Sal giggled with a bright smile. "It's the day of introduction, after all. I wonder who got the Princes' attention."

Fina nudged Sal when she began daydreaming in front of Rosina. That action made Rosina laugh, and her mood lightened up.

Both servants stared at Rosina when they saw her laugh sincerely. Her beauty was enough to make them starstruck.

"You're pretty, Lady Rose," Sal muttered unconsciously, her eyes wide open as she stared into Rosina's face.

"Your beauty is refreshing, Lady Rose. Like a flower that blooms on the first day of spring," Fina stated and sighed deeply in contentment. "Your mate will be lucky to have you."

Rosina's smile dropped by the mention of mate, and she groaned in frustration. She leaned back on the chair and let her body slides down while massaging her scalp.

That action made the two servants flinch. They thought they had said something wrong and immediately kneeled on the floor.

"We apologize for our mistake. We accept the punishment that you will give, Lady," Fina stated, and Sal nodded her head before they bowed down even lower.

Rosina was confused by their actions because they reacted to her words and took them negatively. This made her think about the palace's treatment of their servants to make them submissive.

"You two stand up. I don't want to see you kneel and bow your head on the floor. From now on, you can say what's on your mind without worry. I won't harm any of you," Rosina stated and went toward them and helped them up.

"Are you okay with that, Lady Rose?" Sal stated shyly while biting her lips to stop the tears from flowing out of her eyes.

"Yes, of course. Everyone has their own opinions, and I appreciate what you just said. I apologize for my reaction since this mating thing overwhelmed me," Rosina said awkwardly and laughed. She could see the sparkles in their eyes and pouted mouths.

"Lady! Wahhh!" Fina and Sal cried and hugged Rosina on the waist since they were shorter than her.

Rosina giggled and patted their heads until they calmed down. The two of them returned to their usual self when they realized they were late for the introduction meeting time.

Sal hurriedly ran to the bathroom and prepared a warm bath while Fina fixed the dress and other accessories to have everything organized. Rosina went back to eat her breakfast with a contented smile.

It took more than two hours before it was finally done, and Fina helped tie the mask she'll wear for the day.

Rosina stared at herself in the mirror and looked at her simple white gown.

"Thank you for following my request to make my dress simple," Rosina stated to Fina, who pouted. Originally, Fina planned to alter the dresses and make them fancy, but Rosina told her not to.

"This is a special day, Lady Rose. Are you sure that you'll wear a simple attire?" Sal asked from behind. She was putting white flowers on Rosina's braids.

"Yes, I'm sure," Rosina stated and thanked them for their hard work. She didn't want to wear extravagant-looking dresses since it was gaining men's attention, but most of all. Her parents would see her, and she didn't want them to think about where she had gotten the dresses.

'Irony how father didn't support my expenses but expect to bring home a man to marry,' Rosina thought while rolling her eyes.

Rosina fixed herself before walking back to the palace toward the throne room, but they couldn't enter first since the King and Queen didn't arrive yet.

Rosina looked around and saw most women were wearing heavy and luxurious gowns and pieces of jewelry. She was the only one wearing simple attire.

'We look like sperms,' Rosina thought while looking at the swarm of women wearing white, today's theme color.

That was also the time when ranks were evident. The palace staff gathered the nobles and their servants at the back. Next was the commoner with higher titles. For the commoners, they were let inside first as an audience since they won't be introduced to the King and Queen.

For the male wolves, they would be introduced lastly as they would be the ones to pick their mates and ask for their hand in front of the royal family first before their parents.

Rosina's heartbeat went faster with the thought of the contract. She still hasn't talked about her conditions to Dragon yet. She shook her head and focused on the task. Rosina peeked from the line and looked for Felissa, who was lined before her.

Felissa was there, looking miserable. Her body was trembling, and she looked uncomfortable. She kept looking at her surrounding until her eyes met Rosina.