บท 121: Missing Langton
It was a common saying in Mignos that 'Rumours travel here faster than light'. There wasn't a single nobility house who didn't arrive at the Old Palace to attend the three days grand event. Even those who don't live at Mignos and have relocated to other cities and even abroad for a generation or two, fled down just to see the rumoured girl who became a Duchess from a baker all so sudden. One can take an aristocrat out of Magnolia empire (T/N it's a metaphor, the empire doesn't exist but the aristocrats haven't come out of it) but, one can never take out Magnolia empire out of the aristocracy.
Evelyn was extremely nervous, the coronation ceremony has commenced early in the morning, and it was a long process, her entry was scheduled right after that. It almost felt like a professional play being staged.
Adorned in her greyish blue princess gown, with a scallop neck, revealing just the right amount of neckline 'respectable' as per customs.
Evelyn looked resplendent, this dress was chosen by Anastasio himself, he had said that this gown caught his eyes, because it matched her eye colour. "Anyway this engagement is just an eyes wash, you are my wife already." He had chuckled, as he eyed her up in the mirror during the trial.
However, to Evelyn this was more than an event, today she wanted to step into the harsh high society graciously, despite the oddities, she was aware that it wouldn't be easy, by now she was accustomed to the side eyed looks, the taunts and even the whispers. The rumours about her father, had already made things difficult. However, today she wanted everything to go as planned by Granda, so she didn't wish anything unforeseen to happen so that she is let down, and both her and Sio's grandparents feel humiliated.
Rolling the perfume on her wrist and neck as a final touch, Julie eyes sparkled, she looked proud of her work, "You look like a goddess Miss Betrice, so don't be nervous."
"Yes ma'am no one would be able to take their eyes off you." Sylvia confirmed.
They always complemented Evelyn but today they spoke even without blinking their eyes.
Manila was waiting for Evelyn looking bright in her pastel blue long dress, she nodded agreeably at Evelyn, but her eyes stopped at her choker "Miss Betrice, is that tear of moon?"
Evelyn nodded with a smile, it is a precious heirloom of the first Duchess of Faunoa, which granda had given her. It was technically a wedding gift. It was to be portrayed as an engagement gift, but it was also like a symbol of legitimacy and trust.
Manila masked her bafflement quickly, and smiled brightly, "of...of course it suits you perfectly."
As she walked into the immense hallroom on the platform there sat, on the high platform the Duke of Faunoa with a long golden wand in his hand. The hall was filled with people, there was so much of grandeur, an air if suzerainty. Evelyn wished she could have witnessed the coronation ceremony. Her eyes fixated momentarily at the man who was dazzling like a morning sun in white and gold, the sacred colours for the House of Faunoa. His cape trailed down an expansive length, his dark hair was neatly waxed. His aura was sombre and majestic. Fitting perfectly to the description of royalty, the ones she had read about in fictions.
Evelyn held her breath and stopped in her tracks as their eyes fixated into each other, she had been caught ogling him this whole time. Her daze broke when she heard, "Here comes the daughters of the rumoured arsonist. I don't know what my in-laws saw in her."
Evelyn knew it was Lady Magnolia and atleast for today she had decided to let everything slide.
"I pity you Rosalie, it must be such a disappointment. I am sure Anastasio must have been forced into this by his grandfather, and that staunch lady. One can't really sacrifice their children for doing charity. So shameless she is walking here by herself. A noble lady is usually accompanied by her Lady-in- waiting. Anyways one can't expect such etiquettes from Betrice."
Evelyn looked around but Manila had suddenly disappeared from her side, she didn't know when?
Without changing her countenance she softly whispered to Ms.Mctosh who was right behind her for assistance, "Where's Miss Langton"
She relied that Manila has forgotten to bring the ring, so she had went back to bring it.
"Please go and help her Ms.Mctosh, nothing can go wrong today." She quickly instructed.
"Ha... Ha... Don't make me laugh, I heard that Manila Langton became her lady-in-waiting, she must have backed out last moment feeling ashamed." Rosalie commented bitterly.
"Nobody can match you I still remember that day when you became the Duchess..." Said another woman to satisfy Rosalie's ego, but her words dissipated when, Anastasio hurried down the stairs, leaving his ceremonial stage, and offered his arm, Evelyn wrapped around it as a matter of habit, "Miss Betrice, it's an honor to escort you my beautiful lady.I am lucky enough to be able to escort you forever." He said it loud enough for others to hear, the public display was simply to silence everyone. He accompanied her until she took her designated seat on the platform.
"Happy Birthday Sio" she whispered smiling brightly, "And congratulations on becoming the Duke Faunoa" He studied her for a moment.
"Why thank you Miss Betrice, you totally look like a goddess, I can't wait to worship you from head to toe." his words alone made her insides wriggle.
"But just like me, even others are unable to take their eyes off you. I am exasperated because I can't help it.So..." he planted a kiss on her forehead, disarming her in a hall full of nobility.
The hall gasped in unison, and the murmuring fell silent, nobody wanted to be on the bad book of the Faunoa, now with the Magnolia's tumbling a bit Faunoas were the mightiest, and this man was considered to be a tyrant who held a grudge, until he took his vengeance.
Reading her mortified expression, he said nonchalantly, "You know I an jealous, you should thank god that I didn't kiss you on those sweet lips." Evelyn suppressed her hiccup at his hot warning, and tried not to blush but failed miserably.
"You should go and sit in your designated position Duke." she said batting her lashed a bit too profoundly.
There were not many rituals for the ceremony, the elders of both the houses would give their blessings and announce them as an engaged couple then the rings would be exchanged. In the past usually boys and girls would be engaged at a tender age by their families, So often there was no mandatory exchanging of rings, instead couples would offer heirlooms, or even lands, which was considered beneficial to the respective houses, it was a promise of an engagement keeping marriage in mind. Every one was waiting for the august ceremony to commence.
"It's almost time to begin the ceremony. But where's Miss Langton?" Susan pointed out, concerned.
All so sudden Brea appeared, she was breathless, and looked overwrought, hurrying towards Irene she reported "Madam... Miss Langton is missing, she isn't in her room, or even Miss Betrice's room.Infact we searched everywhere." Catching her breath she said, "She... She is missing...And So is the ring."
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