For Layla, today’s party was nothing less than a battle. She had prepared the aphrodisiac for Oliver, but even then she had beautified herself as much as possible. After all, she was nominated as the Madonna of the ball, and although she had been overshadowed by Amanda, she was proud to be one of the belles who represented the southern region.
Layla attired herself today in the finest dress ever made in the Freegrand Kingdom. In addition, she adorned herself in the most expensive jewelry that she had, and completed her hair and makeup at the most famous beauty salon in the capital. She was confident that she was more exquisite than any woman at the party today.
Presently, Layla was in her carriage, muttering to herself as she kept checking her appearance in the mirror.
“I think it’s better to change the hair decoration to the left.”
Layla had asked the beauty parlor to place it on the right, but now looking at the mirror, she thought it better placed on the left. She was forced to call the maid sitting on the carriage floor.
“Come here and do my hair.”
“M-me, My Lady?”
It was Tilda who accompanied Layla to the party today.
“Who else would it be? Shall I ask the driver to touch my head? Huh?”
“Oh, no, My Lady.”
When the carriage stopped momentarily, Tilda hurriedly moved from the floor to the seat where Layla was sitting.
“How would you like me to do it?”
“Remove the ornament from here and switch it to the left.”
“Y-yes.”
Tilda carefully pulled off the hair ornament when—
“Ah!”
Layla gave a short yelp, then slapped Tilda on the cheek.
“Can’t you do it right? Do you know what day it is?”
“I-I’m sorry, My Lady.”
Layla’s sudden assault caused Tilda to fall to one side of the carriage, but the maid quickly pulled herself up. She knew from experience that if she didn’t do it properly, Layla wouldn’t stop there. Tilda’s shoulders were tense as she touched Layla’s hair more carefully.
A few moments later, Tilda successfully changed the position of the hair ornament. Layla studied herself in the mirror, and spoke to Tilda without even looking at her.
“Tsk, if things go wrong today, it will be your fault.”
“I-I’m sorry.”
Tilda had done everything Layla had asked for, but there was no praise for the maid. Tilda tried to return to her original seat in the carriage, when the carriage suddenly slowed as they neared the party. Layla turned to Tilda with a ferocious glint in her eye.
“Sit on the floor and hide. I don’t want other people to see that you’re in the carriage with me.”
“Yes, My Lady.”
Tilda quickly lowered herself and hid from view from the window. Layla glanced at the maid, then looked out towards the nobility standing outside the party hall.
“Where is Hailey at this moment? I would look better if she was in front of me…”
Layla looked down at Tilda again with a frown.
“You, find Hailey and bring her to me.”
“N-now?”
“Hmm. You can go find Hailey’s carriage later.”
“Y-yes, I understand.”
“Don’t speak to me twice.”
As Layla’s irritation flared, Tilda quickly shut her mouth. Layla hated exchanging words with lower-class servants for any extended period of time.
Finally, the carriage stopped completely. Layla rearranged the sneer on her face and stepped out of the carriage with a gentle smile. Tilda was accustomed to Layla’s moods, and withdrew in fear as she looked at the lady’s retreated back.
Ttogag ttogageu—
Layla was greeted by nobles from all sides as she entered the party.
“Oh, is that Lady Brown? She looks absolutely stunning.”
“Where did she get that dress? Oh my god, it’s so beautiful.”
No one would dare speak ill of the queen’s lady-in-waiting. Layla wore a proud smile on her face as she walked through the hall.
“It’s no use telling you were I got the dress. It’s so expensive it that not anyone can buy it.”
Some people froze awkwardly at Layla’s words, but soon the nobles smiled like proper society folk. As Layla sensed the eyes of countless aristocratic men on her, her spirits soared.
‘Where is the Crown Prince?’
She wanted to show Oliver this beautiful image of herself. Layla was talking a solitary stroll through the party when—
Beolkeog!
The entrance door opened, and a man shouted in a loud voice.
“Their Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess are here!”
All men and women in the room bowed down to greet Oliver and Amanda as they entered the room. Oliver was a grand sight, but Amanda even more so. Layla clutched at her bosom as she looked at Oliver’s handsome figure.
‘That position should be mine.’
It should be her next to Oliver, not Amanda. Oliver and Amanda looked beautiful enough to make her jealous, but today Layla felt that she wasn’t far behind. The amount of money she poured into her current dress and jewelry was astronomical.
Laylas’s heart pounded in excitement as she touched the bracelet on her wrist, specially designed to pour aphrodisiac when it was turned.
And tonight…
She would make Oliver her own.