Chapter 60 - Party

Geraldine stands in front of the mirror while looking at her clothes, she's currently wearing a white gown as the base with pink laces and a swan mask that covers her whole face which she's thankful for because Alexjin will not recognize her. 

"Hmm, father must have been so worried that the public will see how ugly is his daughter," Geraldine giggled while pulling the sleeves to cover her pale bony arm.

Going outside, she saw her brothers standing in front of the carriage while waiting for their father to arrive. As soon as they saw her, they've stopped talking and look at her with a glare.

Geraldine didn't greet them and stand at the opposite side and turned her back against them as she doesn't want to see nor talk to her brothers.

"How disrespectful, you've only gone away from the residence for a few months but now your acting like a b*tch," Gavriel crossed his arms and looked at her as if he wanted to strangle her alive.

Geraldine didn't answer him and continue her ignoring game which pisses off Gavriel. He was about to go and scream on her face when their father arrived.

"Let's go," Duke Gauthier said and enter the carriage first without waiting for them. It is customed that the females will enter the carriage first with the help of a gentleman but in Geraldine's case, her father and brothers enter first while they wait for her inside.

Geraldine was hesitant to enter as she thought that she might have her own carriage but then her father looked at her with an annoyed look.

"What are you waiting for? Get inside," He said harshly as if it's a common tone to use.

Geraldine took a deep breath before entering the carriage and sit next to Gavriel who didn't even bother to look at her. She only turned her head to the side and look at the full moon shining above.

The ride to the party is in total silence as each of them is in their own world.

Upon arriving at the location, Geraldine waited for her father to come out first before she followed but stayed behind until her brothers walked first.

Geraldine created a wide gap between them as she started to look around for Alexjin and Aurelie who will attend the masquerade party as well. 

As they were about to enter the door, Duke Gauthier waited for her and pull her close, "Don't do something stup*d," he whispered aggressively and let go of her arm which will leave a bruise to how hard he grabbed her.

Geraldine nodded her head and looked away from her family.

"Let's welcome the Duke of the North, Duke Victor Guansa and his family," The announcer's booming voice gathered everyone's attention.

The Duke walks in with his strong aura radiating followed by Gael and Gavriel while Geraldine timidly walked behind them.

She could see some people gossiping while looking at Gael as it's known that he'll be one of the contestants for the upcoming competition. 

They went to their designated table and the waiters instantly put beverages and some sweets.

"Father really gives you a whole facemask to hide your ugliness hah!" Gavriel said with a smirk playing on his lips while he tried to piss off his sister but she chooses to ignore him instead, "You!"

Duke Gauthier coughed which stopped Gavriel from grabbing Geraldine. Half of their faces are seen through the mask so people can easily know who they are, making Geraldine thinks of the use of a masquerade party when almost all the attendee's inside can be recognized because their mask nearly covers their faces. 

"Let's welcome the winner of the South, Alexjin and his mother Elie," The announcer's booming voice could be heard and Alexjin's figure could be seen from the entrance. 

Both Alexjin and her mother are wearing all black clothes and a full face mask that matches the wig she gave. Everyone looked back at them as they got intrigued by the new people entering the circle.

They were used that only nobles win the competitions so Alexjin is like fresh air but at the same time, a stain in the eyes of the nobles.

"A commoner, what a joke," Gavriel laughed while looking at Alexjin with a taunting gaze.

"A commoner win at the South, it makes me wonder if he's that good or the contestants are that lousy that's why he wins," Gael said as he took a sip of his wine.

That sentence didn't sit right with Geraldine but she pursed her lips to prevent her from snapping at Gael.

She turns around and grabbed a glass of champagne from the waiter walking by and was about to take a sip when Gavriel snatched the drink from her hand.

"What the heck, you're only 14 for god's sake," Gavriel drinks the entire glass and slammed it on the table while glaring at her.

"I forgot," Geraldine shrugged as she really forgot that she's inside a 14 yr body.

"What do you mean you forgot, tsk, you're really dumb," Gavriel said as he stands up and went to his friends.

Duke Gauthier also left the table to talk to the other nobles about businesses leaving Gael and Geraldine on the table.

Geraldine didn't mind his presence as her focus is on Alexjin who is sitting five tables away from her.

"Where did you go?" Gael said as he took another sip of his wine while looking at her intently.

"Somewhere," Geraldine replied, she's surprised that Gael talked to her because, in the past, he would never say a word and would only look at her with disgusted eyes.

"You didn't even tell us, your brothers where did you go," Gael said and crossed his hands, and seems like he's interested in getting to know where she went. 

"I already ask father that day and he approved, so I went away immediately," She nodded her head as he can't see her facial expression, "And besides, I don't want to bother my brothers over a small matter."

She saw how Gael's face turned into disappointment as he stands up and leaves, "Okay."

Geraldine sighs in relief that she no longer have to stay in their presence, her head snapped at Alexjin who are talking to somebody, and seeing that everything seems fine, she stands up and searches for the door that leads to the garden as she didn't want to mingle with the other nobles around.

The cold air greeted her as soon as she stepped outside the building and was stunned by the lights hanging on the trees.

Moving forward, she saw a fountain and decided to sit there for a while and spend her time admiring the scenery in front of her. 

Before, she never attended the party held for the contestants of the competition as her father banned her from going with them.

"Ah, it's changing again," She muttered, referring to the changes that currently happening.

Turning around, she saw a man wearing a white suit and a golden robe from behind with a mask that shows his lips.

"Young lady, why are you here outside all alone?" The man said as he cocked his head to the side and showed his pearly white teeth. 

"Bored," She replied coldly and turned her head and gaze at the lights again, ignoring the presence of that man.

Geraldine thought that he went away but then she felt something on her back and saw the golden robe sitting on her shoulder.

"You don't need to--" Geraldine stands up and gives the robe back to the man.

"It's cold outside, so wear it while you're staying here and give it back when you decided to go back inside," The man went away and Geraldine couldn't help but stare at his golden hair that's similar to gold.

She looked at the robe and put it around her body and went back on staring at the lights. After a while, she went back inside the building as her family might be looking for her but it's not because they care for her well-being, it's more about showing to the public that they at least cared. 

When she arrived inside, she heard yelling and saw the majority of people incircling at the center.

"YOU DON'T BELONG HERE COMMONER, WHAT CHEAT DID YOU USE TO WIN HUH!" A powerful voice echoed in the room and followed by a gasp.

Hearing the word 'commoner', Geraldine immediately knows who they're referring to and didn't waste any time to join the crowd and since she's small, she easily slipped herself in front, and what she saw astounds her.

The man with golden hair who gave her the robe is pointing his sword at Alexjin's neck and Aurelie is kneeling on the ground while crying.

"Answer me, you lowly peasant!" The man's voice raised as Alexjin remained silent and only stare at him.

"I don't want to cause scandals but if you doubt my skills that much then let's meet at the arena."