Chapter 8 - Beginning of the Unexpected

Ella’s expression darkened, and Evan responded with a fake smile, saying, "It's nothing. Are you ready?"

"Yes! Has his highness arrived yet?" Ella asked eagerly.

Unbeknownst to her, Evan sighed, surprising her. She turned to him, and he attempted another forced smile. For some unknown reason, his father had instructed him to keep his sister uninformed. Despite his confusion, Evan felt compelled to obey the duke's orders.

Automatically extending his hand to Ella, Evan reassured her with what she wanted to hear, "Yes. He's waiting for you downstairs."

Filled with anticipation, Ella smiled and placed her hand over Evan's. She couldn't wait to meet the crown prince and make her debut. Lost in her excitement, she failed to notice her brother's unusual behavior. She was more enthusiastic than Evan, who was escorting her with uncommon courtesy. Unlike three months prior, he wasn't behaving like his usual prankster self, which made her realize the significance of the day.

The time she had spent adjusting to this world felt like the prologue of a story. Perhaps, today marked the beginning of her new life here, with the person she was meant to love waiting at the end of the corridor—the one who would become her first love.

Will my heart race? Perhaps he'll shine like a prince in a novel, Ella pondered, oblivious to Evan's darkening expression.

There was a time when Ella questioned whether her feelings for the prince were her own or Luciella's. But now, none of that mattered. Anticipation and excitement, emotions she had never experienced before, overwhelmed her. Her body trembled with excitement as the love she felt awaited her. She could barely recall how she navigated the corridor; all she could hear was the thumping of her heart.

Finally, the door swung open.

Standing by the door, Prince Cladis awaited her with his deep golden eyes, pushing some strands of his black hair away from his face. He appeared even more handsome than she had imagined from the pages of the original novel, his attire adorned with luxurious gold embroidery that suited none but him. His unbelievably opulent appearance left an indelible impression on Ella.

However, her excitement faltered as she noticed something amiss.

Where is... the boutonniere?

Ella's mind went blank with disbelief, freezing her in place.

The boutonniere held a special significance in the novel, symbolizing the transition to adulthood and cherished memories shared between lovers. Its absence shattered the magical anticipation she had felt. The excitement that had filled her heart now dwindled to nothingness. Despite her shock, she forced a smile, knowing she had to greet Cladis.

Though this world felt like a novel to Ella, it was Cladis's reality. He wasn't obligated to wear the boutonniere, so she couldn't fault him for its absence. Avoiding Evan's worried gaze, she approached the prince and greeted him respectfully.

"Luciella of Constance, Guardian of the Blue Moon. May the Blue Moon's glory shine upon you, your highness."

Cladis watched Ella in awe, observing how the young girl who once cried at their partings had transformed into a composed lady capable of masking her emotions. Her maturity unsettled him more than he already was. He glanced down at his attire, clicking his tongue in frustration. The dilemma he faced weighed heavily on him.

After a moment of contemplation, he greeted her as best he could, "It's been a while, Lady Constance."

Ella, her face downturned as she bowed with a serene smile, froze for a moment before relaxing.

Evan also froze.

Lady Constance?

Never before had Cladis addressed Ella with her official title. Their relationship, though arranged before they met, had never been characterized by such formality. They had learned to care for each other without the need for such protocol.

Everyone remembered the young Ella who could barely bid Cladis farewell when he left for the Academy. Was it possible for him to now address her as "Lady Constance" after just three years apart?

Estinu, waiting to cast magic, wore a troubled smile.

Ella suppressed the urge to sigh as she felt the weight of her servants' gazes on Cladis and herself. She couldn't afford to show her disappointment at this moment, so she replied, "Yes, your highness. While awaiting your return, I've been striving to become a flower worthy of you."

"My flower..."

As Cladis muttered on, the room fell into a tense silence. His hesitation and words were not lost on anyone. Evan, losing his composure, was on the verge of abandoning his dignity as the eldest son of Duke Constance.

Even for a crown prince, Cladis was pushing boundaries.

This vacation marked Cladis's first break in three years, a special time for him to reintegrate into society before leaving the academy. That's why Ella had chosen this day for her debut. Despite the start of his vacation, Cladis had decided to extend his stay at the academy for another day, causing Ethan's late return home.

Though preoccupied with party preparations, Evan should have probed further into Ethan's odd behavior. Fueled by rage, he would have taken action against Cladis if Ella hadn't been present, incensed by the prince's insolence. Evan might have even considered teaming up with Ethan to inflict some sort of injury on Cladis, enough to send him to the infirmary for a few days.

She shouldn't have to hear that on her special day.

In contrast to Evan's fury, Ella was perplexed. Her greeting was a customary formality expected of the crown prince's fiancée, a fact Cladis surely knew. Thus, there was only one reason for his reaction, and it was glaringly obvious: his feelings for her had changed.

Why?

Ella hadn't anticipated events unfolding exactly as they did in the novel. She had expected deviations from the original story due to her own actions, not Cladis's. The only discrepancy between this world and the novel was her existence. Initially, Ella had resolved not to interfere or alter the original narrative. However, Cladis's unexpected actions hinted at deviations from the novel's plot, suggesting that other characters might follow suit. It also implied that her own future could change.

Just like now.

She couldn't afford to relax simply because she knew the novel's storyline. In this world, nothing was certain. This realization shocked her as profoundly as when she first discovered she was inside a novel. Yet, in this moment of uncertainty, her body seemed to move on its own, instinctively allowing her to maintain her role as Luciella. She gently tapped Evan's hand to pacify him and turned her attention to Cladis, smiling as if she hadn't heard his last words.

Dammit, Cladis thought, clicking his tongue in frustration.

In a typical scenario, Luciella would have been consumed by rage. Yet, she brushed off Cladis's behavior and maintained a serene smile, as if nothing had transpired. If things continued like this, it would appear as if nothing had occurred at all. Nothing was unfolding according to Cladis's plans. He had anticipated that either Luciella or her three devoted brothers would react to his words. However, he couldn't provoke a confrontation outright, so he clenched his teeth in frustration. Making a big deal out of it wasn't an option either, leaving him in a bind.

“Beloved by the emperor, Lady of the Constance.”

“The perfect lady, straight out of a fairytale.”

“A muse, acclaimed by all artists.”

Endless titles praised Ella's virtues.

My fiancée has blossomed into a true lady in just three years. This is troublesome.

Cladis knew he had no choice but to take Ella's hand and lead her to the ballroom. Her determination was formidable.

When had she grown into such an unyielding woman?

Cladis couldn't adjust to the sight of the stunning and mature Ella. Nervousness made his hands sweat, prompting him to discreetly wipe them as he glanced toward the door.

Nothing had changed.

He could delay no longer.

Similarly, Evan managed to regain his composure thanks to his sister.

Cladis, having failed miserably in his plan, begrudgingly accepted defeat. He extended his hand to his fiancée, who had surpassed his expectations in perfection. Ignoring Cladis's demeanor, Ella placed her hand over his. A maid then cleared her throat.

"The shining sun of the empire, his highness Cladis Q Denoff Nook Duffspe, and Lady Luciella A de Constance now enter."

As the ballroom doors swung open to a grand introduction, all eyes turned to the main staircase. The music in the hall changed, signaling the arrival of a stunning couple. Though everyone was poised to declare their beauty and perfection, they found themselves speechless. Undoubtedly, they were the most splendid couple in attendance.

To emphasize the significance of the day, Ella donned a pink dress adorned with her family emblem embroidered in white—a symbol of her debutante status.

This year, she was undoubtedly the most radiant debutante in attendance. Meanwhile, it marked the crown prince's first public appearance in three years, and he had transformed into a more handsome and robust figure. Individually, they both exuded perfection, yet for some inexplicable reason, they did not complement each other.

As onlookers quickly realized, the crown prince's red jacket boasted intricate golden embroidery—a stark contrast to Ella's pink dress.

Murmurs rippled through the crowd as they discerned the mismatch.