Debbie wore a colorful gown embellished with intricately embroidered designs that was rare and nearly priceless in the market. She had adorned herself with the most exquisite jewelry. Her hair was twisted and pinned to the side of her head while her eyelids were thick with outdated, kohl eyeliner. The concubine smiling softly at the Crown Prince before her curtsy.
Although Audrey had introduced a more natural and enhancing style of makeup, her cosmetic line never reached outside of the capital. She had never wanted to branch out because her products were handmade by herself. She simply didn’t want to expand her business and make more. The men who had returned from war were initially shocked to see women without their usual eye makeup. They needed more time to adjust to this new standard of beauty, although they did not dislike it.
Therefore, to Audrey, Debbie’s overly done eyeliner reminded her of a villainous character amongst the crow of fresh faced beauties. Meanwhile, Debbie did not seem to notice the difference and even criticized the women inwardly. She believed women were ugly without kohl eyeliner on their eyelids!
“Good evening, your highness. As always, you are more beautiful than the sun.” She wrapped her hands around his arms as if she had routinely done this multiple times.
Debbie turned her head slighly and faced Audrey with unwavering confidence. Although Debbie had innocent, bambi eyes with a seemingly kind character, Audrey could easily see through her facade. Her gentle eyes had slightly widened upon scanning Audrey more closely, showing a hint of jealousy.
“Hello Lady Caelina, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Debbie Lenne.” She smiled warmly, although the warmth didn’t quite reach her eyes.
Audrey nodded and shifted her gaze downwards at the jade ring hooked on Debbie’s finger.
Maybe he didn’t forget his promises. He just ignored them.
(Side note: Before August left for war, Audrey asked for a jade ring.)
August noticed Audrey’s stare that was intensely focused on Debbie’s finger. He felt uncomfortable, guilty even.
“I wanted to dance with August. May I steal him for a dance?” Debbie asked politely, yet she emphasized his name. As if to show how close she was to the Crown Prince.
Usually, this sort of manner was considered rude and often punishable, yet Audrey remained quiet. She also didn’t care to correct her mannerism in public.
Audrey faded into the background as the new couple danced.
Lady Irene immediately walked over to Audrey and squeezed her hand and gave her comfort and friendly warmth.
“I have no words. I can only say that she is very ugly.” Irene whispered.
Audrey was grateful for her friend, and even smiled a little.
But I’m not upset because of them! I’m upset because August rejected my proposal!
She racked her brain as she tried to figure out the cause of the Crown Prince’s strange actions.
Did August not love Debbie yet? Did he still harbor feelings towards me? Or is it because he would suffer major embarrassment from losing the most beautiful woman in the Empire? She imagined Zayden scoffing at her shameless speculations and shook her head at her own brainstorming thoughts. For now, Audrey could only conclude that the Crow Prince wanted to keep her around for an unknown purpose.
Then, Audrey felt a strong, lustful stare penetrating her back. She immediately shivered, reliving the traumatic event from the past. She slowly turned around and her complexion paled. Emperor Michaelis I’s perverted smile sent goosebumps up her back. He was drunk, and it was obvious how wanton he had become. Audrey had narrowly escaped his sexual assault a while back, and she was deeply traumatized to to this day. She had slowly gotten used to his presence over time, yet whenever he stared at Audrey with those eyes, her body immediately panicked. She felt suffocated and tightly gripped Irene’s hand to prevent herself from falling into a panic attack.
“Audrey? Why is your palm so sweaty?” Irene noticed her friend’s eyes brimming with fear and gently rubbed her back. “Is it because of the concubine? What’s wrong? Why are you frozen?”
Irene didn’t know how to handle an anxious person and showered her with questions out of concern.
Audrey felt as if she was drowning and couldn’t breathe. She gasped for breath and was about to run away from the perverted stares when the Second Prince approached her with a gentle smile.
“May I ask for a dance?”