I sat in the place garden having tea with the bratty prince and the disaster magnet.
If you're wondering how I was even anywhere remotely close to them to end up in this mess you can thank my dear adopted father.
A week ago the day I was supposed to return to the capital I received a letter from my dear father Sebastian.
"Dear Selene,
You shall soon turn 20. On the day of your birthday, your debutant ball will be hosted in the royal castle. Because of this, Her Majesty the Queen has insisted that you stay in the castle until then.
Only the most influential and important people of the kingdom shall be invited and the people of your choosing of course.
Before then you will have to choose a tutor to teach you all that's expected of a noble. I leave the planning of the ball to you.
Earl Sebastian of house Deacon."
So I've been staying at the castle for a whole week now.
I managed to avoid them for a whole week since I was staying in a room being tutored by a cranky old woman who made me curtsy 100 times every time I failed to do something right.
Today we didn't have class since I had to take care of ball preparations. I was walking around the castle to decide if I wanted to host my ball in the ballroom or the garden.
I was around the garden when I bumped into Hera the disaster magnet and his royal highness Stephen the bratty prince.
I wanted to immediately leave when Hera spoke up saying, "L-Lady Selelina, I know we got off to a rough start but… I really do want to be your friend! Would you like to… to have tea with us?"
Did she just call me Selelina?
I stood there in shock before snapping back to my senses, "I'd love to but I have a lot to do." I replied trying to get out of it.
"Please Lady Selelina." she continued grabbing onto my hands. "I really do want to be your friend, I promise it won't take long you can stay for just a few minutes."
When she said it there were a few servants with them and they and the prince were looking at Hera as though she was an angel.
If I rejected her I'd look like the villain! And I wasn't even the real villain of the story!
So of course I reluctantly put a smile on my face and said yes.
So that's how I got into this mess. I awkwardly sat in the garden having tea with the prince who was staring daggers at me.
Acting as though it was my fault for interrupting their date though I doubt Hera knew. Plus he didn't say anything while Hera was inviting me to join.
I was drinking my tea as quickly as I could when Hera suddenly said, "Lady Selelina I heard your ball was in three weeks, you must be excited. I've always wanted to have a ball."
"Oh not really, it's more stressful than entertaining," I replied with a smile on my face.
If she thought I'd invite her she was wrong big time. The ball was already going to be a tiring night I didn't need to see her there on top of everything.
"Yes but you'll get the opportunity to wear a beautiful dress, they'll be food amazing food and you'll be able to dance with a handsome man. I'd love to attend a ball even if it's someone else's ball." Hera continued.
'She's seriously the heroine of this book? She's not very subtle.' I thought trying not to laugh at her desperate attempts to make me invite her to my ball.
"I hope your wish is granted one day and you're able to attend a ball, Tara."
Hera looked as though she wanted to correct me but didn't say anything and just smiled saying, "Uh thank you."
"No, thank you for the tea, please excuse me but there are multiple matters I must attend to," I replied standing up.
"Have a good day lady Selelina," Hera replied smiling.
I promise you if she didn't have the prince wrapped around her finger I would have punched her in the face right there and then.
I turned to the prince lightly bowing and left before I burst out laughing or punched someone in the face.
Though their reactions throughout the conversation did make it worth bumping into them.
I followed one of the castle servants towards the ballroom as Trixie said, "You don't like her do you."
"Whatever do you mean Trixie, I just had tea with her I'd say we're on good terms," I replied innocently.
"If you say so lady Selelina," Trixie said trying not to laugh.
"Shut up." I replied rolling my eyes while Trixie just laughed
We soon arrived in a large ballroom, as I said, "Definitely the ballroom."
The garden has not been known for happy moments.
Trixie paused before asking, "So my lady have you decided on the theme of the ball?"
"Yep, we are having a masquerade ball." I replied with a grin on my face, "The dress code colors are red, black, and silver. It'll take place in the evening. What's next?"
"The food. Mainly the cake."
"Chocolate… I want a chocolate cake." I replied with a bittersweet smile.
After handling all the things I need to for the preparation of the ball I was finally able to just jump into my bed.
I read one of the school romance books I had gotten from the bookshop and did a few push-ups, sit-ups, and other exercises to strengthen my body so I could at least pull myself up a tree branch.
I finished having a bath as I stood on the balcony. The sun had already set as I stared at the moon.
Funny enough my birthday here was also the same day as when I was Selene Park.
It was the first time I was spending my birthday with other people since the day… mum and dad died. I'd normally stay cooped up in my room and miss work and school.
Not to mention I was spending it with a bunch of random people and celebrating it with a masquerade ball.
I couldn't help but laugh as I thought of my 17-year-old self's reaction if I told myself this.
They'd probably think I had gone crazy.
Four weeks… four weeks till my birthday.