The moment when the stars fell over the count's estate (2)
- Sorry for scaring you. I was so happy to see you in such a beautiful outfit that I didn’t think about your feelings at all.
- No, no, no, you don't need to apologize.
“Then don’t talk so bad about yourself anymore.” Fine?
She giggled again and extended her hand. I stared at this delicate, graceful palm. She shook it up and down demandingly. I hesitantly extended my hand back to her. After Violet grabbed me, she stood up and I stood up after her. It was impossible to take your eyes off her bright, happy face.
I bowed my head and suppressed the lump in my throat. The corners of my eyes burned. The hand holding mine was too warm.
“Maybe we can just style our hair nicely at the back?” I won't touch your bangs or do any makeup, I'll just tie up your hair. It would be a pity not to do your hair, since we’ve already dressed you up, right?
- Well, if only without bangs...
- Yes, only the hair in the back! I won't touch the front. I promise.
Violet had to repeat her promise several times before she moved slightly behind me and gently touched the back of my head. My body instinctively tensed. I was nervous that she might touch my bangs and was ready to run away at the slightest hint of strangeness.
Luckily, Violet kept her promise and left her bangs untouched.
– Paula has curly hair. And so do I. Here, look.
Violet showed me her hair. Just like she said, it was nicely curly at the ends and slightly frizzy throughout.
– They are so wavy that sometimes I envy people with straight hair. But then again, people with straight hair do their hair because they feel unattractive with their hair down and are jealous of those who have wavy hair. I think everything is good in moderation. At least your hair is less frizzy than mine.
- I'm really sorry.
- Come on. You have nothing to apologize for.
I heard a cheerful giggle behind me, which made my ears tickle. I clenched my fingers convulsively.
Violet pulled my hair back, braided it, and then twisted it into a bun. Then she tied a white ribbon around her hair, looking for something better to secure it with. It was a hair ribbon that I had been using since she gave it to me.
- I bought you a new one. - she said.
– I like this one.
- I have a lot of beautiful things, I will decorate you with them.
I shook my head.
- I want you to tie your hair with this ribbon. It goes well with my current outfit and I love it. This is the most expensive thing I have, and I will be happy if you knit it for me.
She smiled even happier at my words, took off the white ribbon from my hair and tied it again, but this time carefully.
After I finished fixing my hair, she walked away a few steps and began to study me with her eyes. I tensed up. She stood there for a while, looking at me intently, and then complained that something was still missing. Violet hesitated for a moment, then clapped her hands and took several square boxes from her bag.
I opened one to reveal a pearl necklace with a round gemstone in the center. No, not just the necklace. There was also a ring, and in another box there was a bracelet. My gaze was drawn to them, but quickly coming to my senses, I began to wave my hands away. I knew she was going to put them on me.
But Violet insisted and said that this was not discussed.
I swallowed hard as she placed the necklace around my neck. What if I lose it? My neck became heavy from this burden. A bracelet on your hand, a ring on your finger. I swallowed hard. I repeated several times that it was too much for me, but my pleas fell on deaf ears as Violet leaned over me to decorate.
She looked me over again and smiled with satisfaction. It's finally over. I sighed secretly. I wanted to take everything off as quickly as possible, but Violet led me to the mirror.
- How do you like it? Like?
-...
In the mirror I saw an unfamiliar girl. I almost didn't recognize myself if it weren't for the bangs that hid my face. I stared at my reflection, my mouth open in surprise.
This girl couldn't be me.
My braided hair was deftly secured with a ribbon, then tied into a bun, with the remaining strands falling naturally downwards.
The pink dress also fit well. The waist became narrower thanks to the corset. The pink straps around the waist also played a role; It's like I've become taller.
Gloves, white stockings, a dress with a small bow in the middle and pink shoes were in harmony with each other. Necklaces, bracelets and rings filled gaps where there might have been empty space.
I stared ridiculously at the mirror and raised my hand. The girl in the mirror picked it up too. With my other hand, I lifted the hem of the skirt, then felt the lace at the shoulder line. It flowed down in a cascading cascade along the edges of the sleeves. Looking at myself, I straightened my necklace and smoothed out my stray hairs. The reflection in the mirror did the same.
It really was me.
- Beautiful, huh?
– Oh, no... It’s just a beautiful dress.
Violet smirked at my answer. I told her that I was admiring the dress. She nodded in understanding, but didn't stop laughing.
The situation was both awkward and exciting. I've never worn anything like this before. I thought pink would make me look younger, but it made me feel more grown up. Is it really me? Now I understand why Violet said she didn't like bangs. It definitely ruins the whole look. I straightened my bangs and pushed the thought away.
I was so excited that I kept looking at myself in the mirror. At that moment there was a knock on the door. Violet opened it, the door swung open and Lucas walked in.
He walked towards me, carrying a square box in his hands, but suddenly froze. His wide eyes focused on me. It was as if they were scanning me up and down.
-...Paula?
- Yes.
Lucas instantly tensed.
I looked at Violet, puzzled, and she was looking at Lucas with a strange expression on her face. I walked up to him and took the box from his hands. When I hand it to Violet, she suddenly smiles and looks between him and me.
Then he turns me back to Lucas and puts his hand on my shoulder.
-What do you say? Gorgeous?
-...
He doesn't answer, but his gaze is fixed on me. I embarrassedly fiddled with the hem of my dress. As the silence dragged on, I felt even more awkward. I turned away, getting ready to change clothes, wondering if everything was so bad, but then I heard his voice.
-You look great.
His pale face gradually relaxed. He looked at me with his brown eyes full of tenderness.
- Very beautiful.
-...
For some reason I felt even more embarrassed.
I scratched the back of my head and looked to the side to see Violet. Her smile was ear to ear. I lowered my head and stared at the floor, stunned by the warmth of her gaze.
-Can I take it off?
- Already? Maybe you can stay like this a little longer?
- I need to do some cleaning.
- Oh, what a waste of time. We could go to a ball or something.
To be honest, it's not that bad. I laughed at Violet's comments. But she was serious, asking if I wanted to go somewhere for a social evening. I immediately shook my head. Then she asked if I could arrange it right here. I was stunned. Besides all the problems that arise when you throw a party so suddenly, I had no one to invite to it.
Her shoulders slumped from the constant refusals. She looked genuinely disappointed. For some reason I felt sorry for her. But it was not in my power.
I turned around and went to change into my usual dress. Lucas, who had been silent before, suddenly spoke.
“Why don’t we arrange it ourselves?” Party evening.
And so it was decided to organize an impromptu social event.
(Editor's note: Raut is a gala social reception, a party without dancing (unlike a ball))
There were very few people there: just me, Violet, Lucas and Vincent. It wasn't exactly a party. However, Violet and Lucas were delighted and asked Isabella to organize everything immediately. They acted quickly. Isabella calmly reacted to the sudden demand, and only Vincent, who learned the news belatedly, was dumbfounded.
“You might think this is your mansion, not mine.”
- Why are you grumbling? It's fun! – Lucas exclaimed.
- Okay, okay.
-...
There was no stopping these two.
The central hall of the outbuilding was chosen as the venue for the party. Isabella invited her maids to decorate the hall and her cook to prepare the food. It was decided that no one would be allowed into the hall after the evening began. The food that will be prepared for the reception will be brought from the annex, and Isabella will do the rest.
My offer to help organize the evening was ignored. Violet made me stay in my room, saying I would ruin the dress. I was told not to worry. Instead, she went downstairs to organize the evening, and Lucas joined her. Violet explained that Vincent couldn't go and she needed someone to take his place.
So it was just Vincent and I left in the room. I clenched my fingers frantically, feeling awkward in my dress. I felt uncomfortable doing nothing when there was such turmoil around me.
I glanced at Vincent, who was sitting at the other end of the sofa, his elbow resting on the armrest. The shiny black toe of his boot twitched in the air. He was dressed in the tailcoat that Lucas had forced him to change into, and his golden hair was combed back and looked neater than usual.
I've thought about this before, but Vincent looked like a completely different person when he dressed like that. His elegant appearance made him look like a noble aristocrat, and his crooked posture made him look like a spoiled nobleman who was dragged to the party by force. The discrepancy between appearance and behavior made me relax, and I even laughed involuntarily.
He definitely looked attractive. I wish I could stop frowning so much.
“And it’s like this every time you come to me with someone,” he noted.
- …I'm sorry.
- Why are you apologizing?
- Because it seems to me that all this is because of me.
“I think they forced you, just like last time.”
- This is wrong.
At my words, Vincent sighed and leaned back on the sofa. He threw his head back and ran a hand through his cropped hair.
- Nothing can be done.
The words sounded like a sigh, and there was resignation in them. But he didn't look unhappy. I prayed that nothing would happen.
- Why do you squirm all the time?
He probably didn't like me fidgeting here and there. But I can’t help it in unusual clothes.
– I’m uncomfortable in a dress, sorry.
- Dress?
“Violet said we should dress appropriately for the evening, so she dressed me up in a dress.”
Technically, the evening was invented after the dress fitting, but no matter.
I smoothed the hem of my skirt as best I could. The fabric was expensive and I was worried about it.
Vincent looked back at me. I turned to face him, wondering what he was going to do again.