18 Chapter 16: A Smile To Depart... (1/2)

< Gloria's POV >

I couldn't help but sigh at each page turned. It had been days... months, since he was gone. That bird of his didn't bother about seeing me either. So, by far, all I could do was write empty letters and stash them in an album book. I missed him so much.

If it had been J... I'd know instantly whether he was lying to me or not... but with Fred, it was always different. He was always a step ahead of me. And this horrible feeling of being in the dark, wrecked my mind so.

Even though I smiled everyday, even though everyone was here, I knew deep inside how utterly useless all this ended up as.

The only good news I'd come across was that one invitation to the ball held by the King at the Imperial Palace. He had invited me, by name, while also suggesting to take my family. Indeed... he was pleased by my logical thinking instead of an emotional one.

”Gloria,” Helen lightly knocked on the door before entering my room, ”it's almost time. Are you ready?”

I jumped out of the chair and took the secret diary and hid it under my pillow. While I was panicking over my messed up hair and all the clothes that had been scattered across the room, the door flung open.

I saw mom. Her smile of wrath was frightening!

”Young lady,” she spoke in monotone, ”what is all this mess? Why aren't you ready yet? Hmm... hmm!”

Her demands seemed to be getting more and more ridiculous lately. She was always nagging at me about manners and etiquette. Each and everyday since the last seven months!

”I'm just wondering which one is more suitable...” I tried to lie, glancing towards Helen for some backup.

”Well, you know mother, it is a ball the king especially invited her to... it's kinda obvious that she'd be nervous, right?” Helen suggested.

”Oh, come now!” Mom grabbed ahold of my hand and dragged me away while I thanked Helen for the help. All she did was smile.

I was dragged down the stairs and all the way until the dining room where the boys and Carmine waited. When they all saw me, they looked a bit pale, but understood what was going on.

Carmine looked pale and panicking. Dad was out of words while George stood silent, observing first. Charles chuckled with a mischevious smirk and 'innocently' asked what was wrong.

Our mother... who had been doting over Charles for the past few months, saw no problem in telling him exactly what was going on.

Charles listened and nodded. The rest of us stood speechless.

I mean, it's okay to ask him about which clothes I should wear and what is the King's favourite colour... but why must she ask him about what underwear I should wear, huh!? Where's the logic in that! Besides I'm a girl now! Isn't it better to ask Helen or Carmine... or even a maid...! Why him of all people?

”Well, dear mother,” Charles spoke very politely, ”isn't it fine for her to wear pink?”

”Pink what!” I held back my thought, almost bursting with fury.

”You hear that!” Mom turned towards me, ”At least someone gets me! That's right... pink dress and undergarments for you, young lady...!”

Her voice was so loud, not to mention the entire place echoed, I bet the entire castle heard it!

I had never been as humiliated in both my lives as I was today... besides, the only one wearing pink today would be me. Anyone can guess who she was talking about...!

”I HATE BEING A GIRL!” I ran upstairs to my room and shouted afterwards.

”...”

Sadly, I picked up the pink dress and put it on. It was very frilly. Not to mention that the zip at the back was getting stuck with my hair all over the place.

”Glow?” the door creaked open a little and I fell down, utterly embarrassed at my current situation.

”He-Helen?” I turned my eyes above me, over all these messy hair and smiled nervously.

”At least wear something underneath... you'll hurt your skin.” she seemed concerned.

”What could happen? I'm just fine... I don't wanna wear the pink undergarments too... its embarrassing!” I whispered each time, my voice decreasing more and more in volume.

”Pfft!” She laughed out loud and couldn't stop, ”was that you?”

”Hmph.” I had to agree.

”Here, hold still.” Helen gently took care of the knotted hair while I sat, pouting.

”I'll have to cut a few strands. Or else you will stick out like a caveman!” She teased me.

”Do what you want... but I get to choose my... you know...” I could feel my face blush and burn with just the thoughts.

”Okay, okay. Aren't you a mature lady!” Helen joked around.

”I'm not a baby, you know?” I told her, a bit irritated.

”Of course ~ of course ~” Helen went along with it.

”Okay! Done.” Helen seemed satisfied with her work, ”Take a look!”

”Whoa~!” I marveled myself at the mirror, ”Cool.”

”It is a very boring way to go with a bob cut, especially one that's so long and so overdue in fashion, so I improvised. Yep,” she winked at me in the mirror, ”now you're ready.”

”But isn't it weird that my bangs on the sides are way too long compared to the back which is breezy?” I asked, a bit curious.

”That's what makes a child so cute!” she simply pointed, ”Its a charm.”

”Yeah... sure.” I ignored her statement despite its accuracy. I mean, I may be a child, but I'm still an adult however you put it.

”Now, as for what you should wear...” Helen continued, much to my further disgust.

_______

___

”I tell you,” I whispered to Charles, bored and exhausted, but still wearing a smile, ”everything is so exquisite... I'd like to puke.”

”Go right ahead.” Charles whispered back as I looked at him, stunned, ”Then people can confirm that you're nothing, but a child.”

”Heh~” I cringed my teeth, still forcing a smile, ”how about I puke on you instead?”

”Death penalty. That's what I call law.” He winked and walked away.

”[You damn loser!]” I used telepathy mixed with emotion.

I thought this would teach him a lesson or two... but boy was I wrong. He stuck to his princely regime and continued to chat with various nobles.

Meanwhile, here I was, completely alone.

”Parties really aren't my thing.” as I sighed and almost left the enchanting ballroom, an announcement stopped me short.

”The Great King Warnaveer - VIII, his royal highness, Sir Azerer Warnaveer Melendor Von Hearth Arc, has arrived! Please be in accordance.” a clear loud voice boomed all across the ballroom and everyone just stopped all their gossips with seconds.

The entire place was pin drop silence. Nobody mentioned a word and looked at the host with great interest. After all, royal balls in this kingdom never happened 'for fun'. There was always a reason behind it. And only those who were involved knew what was going on.

”Ah...” I thought to myself, ”much better.”

I stood straight up just like mom had been teaching me for the past few months. Honestly, this was no different than military training, so I was quite good at it. After J died, I had to go through HELL, in order to forget him... Vel was very persistent.

I found myself gaping at him, pop-eyed. Even my posture looked average and I wasn't proud of that. One thing I did notice though, was this giant man's intriguing aura. One look at him and anyone would know... he isn't someone to mess with.

I giggled a bit, ”If someone else from my world saw him, right here, right now instead of me... they'd definitely pee their pants! He's a FREAKIN' BEAR!”

Surprisingly, the King saw me while I happened to be giggling. And so, without any hesitation whatsoever, he asked, ”You there, GIRL!” he pointed his large muscular finger at my direction, his voice as crystal clear as ice, ”What are you laughing at?!”

The entire audience shifted their gazes from him to me. Nobody said anything, probably in fear, but I felt their hardcore stare.

Without my mental strength as I had developed over the years in my previous life... at this very moment, I'd be doomed.

”Excuse me your royal Highness, Great King Warnaveer - VIII,” I didn't hesitate to question him back and bowed politely, ”but do I have the permission to speak?”

He waved his ginormous hand and only ordered, ”Hmm.”

I could understand his personality by that one gesture. I used to be a professional, after all!

This guy wasn't normal. He was most likely the strongest man here, other than his prodigal son who outshone him, otherwise, this man was calm and calculating. He didn't so much as flinch when he saw my perfect and fearless behaviour.

On the other hand, the audience had been filled with awe. They were keen and wanted to see what I'd do next. The only one who was similar to the king, was Charles, but that's only because he knows me in a certain way.

”This is a first.” I thought to myself, still bowing, since the king had only agreed to let me answer, not stand up or look back at him in the eye.

He didn't even demand anything. Just calmly sat atop his marvelously decorated, golden throne. It was bright and dazzling,alright. So much so that even as I stared at the floor, I could see the glimmers it made.

”I was, but awestruck by your magnificence and your presence. I apologize beforehand if my behavior just now, seemed rude. I am, but five years old, your majesty, I have a lot to learn...” I stayed on my feet, uncomfortably in the same position, my voice soft and smooth.

”You may rise, GIRL.” the oh so mighty king spoke.

I bowed graciously once again after standing up. To thank him.

I didn't look up at him, but calmly stared at the glimmer on the floor. It helped me concentrate.

”What is your name?” He asked.

”Yes, your majesty,” I replied politely before I spoke my name, ”Pleased to be in your presence. My name is Gloria Gale Windstorm, the 5th daughter of the Head Windstorm Family, as well as the 7th and youngest child.”

”Hmm...” I heard him say.

”Oh how badly do I want to see his expression! Urgh! This is why I so despise formalities...” I thought to myself.

”Very well then,” he claimed, ”You! Boy!”

A young boy, slightly older than Fred, panicked and replied, ”Y-ye-yes! Your majesty?”

”Do not disappoint me. Go and bring forth the medallions!” The King's voice sounded slightly irritated.

”So you are the girl I invited?” his voice boomed for everyone to hear.

”I, thank you, your highness. This is my very first ball.” I had to bow a third time and stand up straight again, not to mention that I couldn't even look up.

Seriously. This felt like an exercise routine... and this little body was not used to it. So my tiredness just increased.

”At ease, my fellow nobles.” the king demanded and by now, the hot gossip began to flood the entire ballroom.

”Look up to me, girl,” he ordered.

However, even I didn't flinch this time. I refused to do as a doll would. So I remained as I was.

”Girl, have you not heard the king?” The king proclaimed a second time, but I stood my ground.

While I saw the glimmers below shift from side to side, I realized that the king had, had moved! I figured he would grow impatient by this point... but this was far from any torture at all.

Of course I'd be amused!

”GLORIA GALE WINDSTORM! Do you not hear me?! I order you to look at me! Now ANSWER!!!” King Azerer furiously ordered, his voice roared like thunder, instantly shutting up every one of those gossip makers.

”Oh? Pardon my rudeness your majesty,” I replied, slowly fixating my gaze upwards, without a hint of fear in them, nor minding anybody else.

”Because I had been gazing downwards and I hadn't the slightest idea which 'girl,' you might be referring to in the entire ballroom, I hadn't the slightest idea you were speaking to ME.”

My voice was clear, confident and bitter. Everyone gasped. After all, it wouldn't take a fool to figure out that I was merely threatening the King/Emperor of the Kingdom.

”I'm not just some girl... I'm Gloria. He'd better get that in his brain!” I smiled angelically as I thought to myself. From the corner of my eyelids, I saw Charles grin widely.

”Are you perhaps threatening me?” The king asked, his voice a little less angry, yet seemingly amused.

”How would I? Your majesty. You are the most powerful person I've met!” I answered him, without the need for his permission.

”You have been Pardoned. However, there won't be a next time.” the king said.