Chapter 71 - Choose Me

The first day of the founding week arrived. Since the emperor was mandated to host a public ball, a lot of people attended. A long line of carriages from across the empire was lining up from outside the castle, waiting for their turn to get off. 

"I expect it to be packed, but I didn't think the ball will be this huge," Aries murmured, staring at the line of carriage that stretched even from outside the gates from the window of her room. "Those from behind the line will surely come later."

It wouldn't even be an exaggeration if others would arrive at the last minute. With the inspections and procedures before entering, others should just forget to attend tonight's ball. But so far, Aries didn't see any carriage that back out despite the traffic.

"Does this happen every year?" she asked at the maid standing behind her, pivoting on her heel to face the middle-aged servant. 

"Yes, my lady. The first day of the founding week is always crucial since that's the only time His Majesty attends any ball." Gertrude explained. 

Gertrude had been one of the permanent maids that were serving Aries recently. Before, the maids in charge to take care of her kept changing, taking turns. But for reasons unknown, Gertrude was tasked to be Aries's personal maid. It was better since she was a lot older and was wiser, and Aries didn't have to deal with new faces every single day. 

"Is that so?" Aries hummed, nodding and prancing towards the chair in front of the mirror. 

She looked at herself, letting out a sigh. Ever since she wanted to be Ariel, she didn't have to wear light makeup or get her waist cinched with a corset. But now, she had to perform a dance for the emperor and some royal guests — a tradition in Haimirich — she had to be all feminine again. 

"I feel exhausted already," she murmured, glancing at Gertrude, who stood behind her to continue arranging Aries's hair. "We've been doing this since morning." 

Gertrude chuckled. "My lady, you are His Majesty's person. Therefore, we have to make sure you will stand out."

'He just wants to tease me,' Aries replied sarcastically in her head, imagining Abel to be laughing evilly while giving out that order. 'He knew I dislike these long rituals.'

"Gertrude, you know that it's a masquerade ball, correct?" she inquired with a conflicted look on her face. "Even if you apply a heavy cosmetic, no one will know."

"My lady, even without cosmetics, you are already gorgeous. However, it is still better to doll you up since many ladies will try to steal His Majesty's attention." Gertrude looked at her with a helpless smile. 

Aries pressed her lips into a thin line, keeping her thoughts to herself. This was the problem with other people; the people in this palace. They were treating her kindly because everyone knew Abel was so fond of her, so much so that he was willing to become a woman if she decided to embrace her masculinity.

Right now, all the servants wanted to be stationed in the Rose palace because Abel was doting on Aries. To make the story short, the servants in the Rose palace had a higher salary and had a peaceful life. It was like a dream to be in this place.

Rumors were fast to spread, but Aries was ignoring everything. Still, sometimes, she could not help but feel pressured by the expectations of other people. Not that she was the type to please other people aside from Abel. But at the back of her head, many people were relying on her. 

If Aries lost the emperor's affection, then the Rose palace would be neglected. Not just Aries, but even the servants working in this place would be affected. 

'How do I tell them they would be pampering a different pet soon?' she wondered, stealing a glance at Gertrude. 'Well, it's not like their lives would change.'

Aries mentally shrugged her head. Nothing could ever stop her from proceeding to her plans. She would leave this palace. Tonight, she would study the candidates Conan told her about. Even if none of the candidates could fit all the criteria she had in her head, there would be many people from across the continent that would attend. 

Surely, with this much crowd gathered in the same place, there would be one or two who could be interesting enough to keep up with Abel. 

Her eyes lowered as they softened at the thought. 'Tonight... will be my last night in this place.' She told herself, but her heart thumped loudly against her chest. 

Leaving never left her mind from the beginning until now. Even though Abel gave her the opportunity to escape and she didn't, she was always determined to leave. It might be ridiculous since she gave up that golden opportunity, but it would be her conscience to leave without replacing her. 

Despite all that, telling herself that tonight would be her last in this place, an indescribable feeling swelled in her chest. She mentally walked down the memory lane, recalling her time the second she stepped foot in the empire until now.

'I didn't realize until now that I had grown attached to this place in a way,' she thought and sighed faintly. 'Aries, stop thinking, will you?'

The more she used her head, the more she felt unenthusiastic about it. Whether or not she admitted it, Haimirich had become a safe place for her. The palace might be a dangerous place to be in and Aries still had to drink a paltry amount of poison, there weren't many terrible memories that were worthy of strengthening her resolution. 

If anything, the memories she created in this place were... good ones. Even Abel's unpredictable and crazy whims weren't that terrible. She was just being stressed from time to time, but recently, she wasn't afraid of throwing shades at him. 

"My lady, are you alright?" Aries snapped her eyes, gazing at Gertrude's reflection, only to see her worried expression. "You look a little dispirited. Are you feeling unwell?"

"No. I'm fine." She flashed a forced smile. "I'm just tired, but I'm alright."

Gertrude smiled warmly and nodded, continuing on placing embellished pins on Aries's hair. She raised her brows when Aries suddenly spoke out of nowhere.

"I had fun," Aries whispered, staring at herself in the mirror. Unlike how she looked in Maganti, she looked her best in this place. 

"Haimirich... is a place that became my home and not another battlefield I must conquer." A subtle smile dominated her face, shifting her gaze to Gertrude. "I am grateful... is what I'm trying to say."

"My lady..."

Suddenly, Aries snapped her eyes as they heard a knock from the window. She slowly turned her head in the noise's direction, furrowing her brows when she saw the raven Abel owned. She tilted her head, raising her hand to stop Gertrude from arranging her hair. 

When Gertrude kept her hands off of her, Aries stood from her seat and marched towards the window. Her eyes instantly landed on the letter tied around the raven's feet, opening the window to read what Abel sent her.

"Choose me," she read under her breath, tilting her head to the side after reading the content of the letter. But just as she wanted to respond to his letter, the raven already flew away. Meaning, Abel wasn't expecting a reply. 

"He wants me to choose him?" she wondered, blinking while keeping her eyes to where the raven flew away.