Chapter 57: "Princess, please get up quickly," Luna tried to wake Sezh up.

"Princess, please get up quickly," Luna tried to wake Sezh up.

Sezh, who was still half asleep, fluttered her lashes before opening her eyes. Her gaze wandered around the dimly lit room. The sun hadn't risen yet, so why did Luna already wake her up at this time?

"Good grief, Princess! There are not only one or two things to prepare! We're going to be very rushed even though we're starting now," Luna was unstoppable.

Staggered, Sezh raised her body and fully opened her eyes. She saw a few maids were standing at her bedroom door. There was also one of Lady Lize's maids among them: Marie.

"Good morning, Princess Sezh," Marie greeted politely. "Lady Lize ordered me to come here and assist you. However... This, your face is a little swollen. Princess, you couldn't sleep last night? Quickly, bring the Princess tea to reduce the swelling."

Terrified by Marie's tone, one of the maids standing behind her left the room.

'This is ridiculous. Is a swollen face that serious? And why is everyone in a rush? It's two in the morning, there's a lot of time.'

However, Luna and other maids seemed to have a different idea.

"Now, Princess, we first have to head to the bathroom."

Luna and Marie walked along with Sezh while supporting her arms. As soon as they successfully dragged her into the bathroom, they trapped Sezh in the bathtub. It's not an exaggeration. Sezh was completely trapped. She said she wanted to stop and felt dizzy due to staying in the warm water for a long time, but Luna and Marie were stubborn.

It wasn't just plain water. It contained plenty of herbs to make the skin smooth, so Sezh had to hold on until it was all soaked into her pores. And unfortunately, the window was open.

Sezh sprawled out like cracked egg yolk and dozed off. She couldn't escape from the bathtub, so Sezh used the time to sleep. She thought she finally could live now, but that wasn't the end of it. They waited for Sezh, who hadn't even worn any clothes, and laid her on the bed. Then rubbing her whole body, they applied a lot of scented oils. The scent wasn't horrible, but she thought it was better to use it sparingly. Sezh's head got fogged by the smell as the oil started dripping off her body and onto the floor.

Luna came in with something that looked like an odd dough. The color and smell were also a little strange... Sezh didn't even want to touch it, but it needed to be applied to her face.

When Sezh asked her what that thing was, Luna came up with an ambiguous answer. In the end, Sezh decided it would be better not to know about it.

After going through such an uproar, it was finally time for lunch. Sezh was hungry, but they prohibited her from eating. Sezh thought she might die from hunger first before her neck was even sliced off.

If Luna didn't secretly put some dried fruits and bread in her mouth, Sezh might have fainted. Then, they sat her down in front of the vanity and began to dress her up.

They looked like a pack of a well-trained army. A couple of maids massaged her shoulders, saying that it would reduce the swelling in her face, and the other three helped Marie to tie up her hair.

Luna was busy looking through her pre-selected dresses, accessories, and shoes. Marie's skills were far beyond Sezh's imagination. It was understandable why Lady Lize sent her Marie instead of anyone else: she commanded the maids like a general.

Soon, Sezh's hair was finished, but she fell asleep in the midst of it. Sezh never imagined she would be occupied like this since morning. Having slept quite late yesterday, she was tired and couldn't help drifting off.

Still half-asleep, Sezh heard the maid's conversation.

"I think this color is too mature. What about this one?"

"The Princess's skin is very white, so try this shade of pink..."

After that conversation, Sezh's face tickled. It felt like they were drawing a picture on her face.

Sezh, who was still drunk from sleep, couldn't bear the itchy feeling and tried to scratch her face a few times. But in every attempt, Luna would grab her arm firmly, so all of her efforts were in vain.

"The makeup and hair are done... How long has it been? Goodness, we should start dressing! Bring it!"

"Shoes! Bring the shoes and accessories too!"

Listening to Luna and Marie's voice alternately, Sezh thought she'd never do this again. Seriously, there isn't a war here. Sezh initially thought they would do things simply, but it seemed she was underestimating a debut.

"Princess, please get up. Hold on! Head! Please don't touch your head."

Sezh, awoken from her doze, staggered and got up from her seat. The maids began to run around again.

So wearing a dress was also taking quite a bit of time. Sezh could just wear it immediately, but Marie and Luna took so long to discuss how to adorn it with lovely creases.

Raytan was right back then. She's starting to think what's so enchanting about a debut ball or such a place like it...

And finally, all the embellishments were finished.

"Oh my, Princess."

Luna looked like she was about to cry.

'Why does Luna look like that? Is the finished look weird, and she is upset with it?'

They have been restlessly doing this and that until she felt like dying since morning, but the result was terrible?

Sezh's face suddenly became tense.

"Now, come this way, Princess."

Marie wrapped her hands around Sezh's shoulders and took her to the mirror.

What if it's weird? She would have just wasted Lady Lize's effort. Sezh swallowed her dry saliva and found the courage to raise her head... Soon, she became dumbstruck while standing in front of the mirror.

"You're so beautiful, Princess."

"..."

"I know the Princess is already so pretty with her everyday look. However, I didn't know she could be this gorgeous."

Luna and Marie were smiling and talking about their thoughts, but Sezh's ears seemed to forget their primary function. The dazzling reflection in the mirror was entirely different from her usual appearance.

Her blonde hair, which was always bouncy, was now put up neatly. Thanks to that, her thin neckline was more emphasized.

Sezh started to scan the accessories they put on her. A shiny tiara on top of her head, the non-excessive necklace, and subtly noticeable earrings. The dress was also stunning. The color was light purple, with small flowers studded in several places. The lace decoration was long and trailing from her chest to the end of the dress, so it was simple yet elegant to see.

And her face. Of course, her face was also surprising. The power of makeup she had done for the first time in her life was truly enormous. It felt a little unfamiliar, but... it was so pretty in her eyes. Unbelievable.

"Princess, Master Raytan has arrived! He's waiting in front of the palace!"

Luna's words eventually pulled her to reality. Looking out the window, it was already dark again outside.

It means she now had to depart from her palace. Raytan was also already waiting for her. Sezh inhaled a deep breath. Suddenly, she became anxious. She's worried that Raytan would laugh after seeing her current appearance.

She knew that Luna and Marie already praised her, and it even looked great in her eyes. But still, she couldn't be sure. Sezh couldn't guarantee that she would also look okay in other people's eyes.

"Please walk carefully. Be careful..."

Throughout their walk in the hall, Luna kept holding Sezh's hand. She had no idea how high these shoes were, but Sezh couldn't walk properly in them. Even though she wore shoes while taking her dance class with Mrs. Pauline, they were much lower than what she wore now. And her feet were starting to hurt too.

However, rather than the pain and discomfort, the strongest emotion she could feel now is nervousness. Sezh's heart was pounding like crazy. It felt like it was going to pop out of her chest.

The tension reached its peak when Sezh finally saw Raytan standing with his back facing her.

"Brother," Sezh gathered up her courage and spoke. "... Brother."

Raytan slowly turns his body to face her. His crimson eyes briefly shook. And that was all. He didn't say anything nor even move a little bit. He was just standing there, looking rigid and focusing his gaze on her.

Sezh was also the same.

It was the first time she saw Raytan dressed like this. The neatly styled hair and the simple banquet attire matched very well. Remembering that he always wore a slightly disheveled outfit, it was even more surprising. Raytan looked more like a prince than Bern. Sezh could feel elegance radiating from him.

Like this, neither Bern nor Lilian nor even their mother could treat him carelessly.

And, of course, his distinctive sharp and cool atmosphere still couldn't be hidden.

"Oh my! Brother! You're so cool today."

"..."

"You look like a different person. Really!"

Sezh kept praising him, but Raytan remained silent. A sudden burst of fear haunted her. Does this not suit her at all?

"Am I... that weird?"

"..."

"But Luna and Marie said it was okay... And I think I don't look bad, do I?"

"... No," Raytan spoke in a low-sounding voice. "There's nothing weird. Not even one thing."

'Thank God,' Sezh finally let go of her worries.

"Master Raytan, as the Princess said, you're amazingly graceful," Luna, who was watching them, smiled brightly. "Everyone will be surprised. Surely."

"... Right. I see." Raytan stared at Sezh and muttered.

"Master Raytan, I apologize but could you hold the Princess's hand? The shoes are on the high side, so I'm worried about it. Also, I can't even go to the banquet hall to accompany her..."

Luna looked hesitant to ask, but Raytan slowly walked toward Sezh and reached out his hand. A pair of blue eyes observed the movement of that large hand. Sezh suddenly recalled the moment when Raytan finally called out her name for the first time and clasped their hands together like he is doing now.

However, his hand in the present was much bigger than that time, and...

"Let's go, Sezh."

His voice now was also low and deep. For some reason, Sezh suddenly felt embarrassed to think about it. So with a slightly heated face, she eventually clasped her hand with his.

"Have a nice night."

At the end of Luna's words, the two began to walk away calmly.

Sezh thought that a lot has changed compared to three or four years ago, but Raytan's hand was just as warm as when she held it for the first time.

But why did her heart keep pounding? Was it because of her nervousness? Sezh held Raytan's hand tightly without realizing it.

Raytan seemed to pause for a split second, but he didn't say anything.