AUTHOR
Caroline Havens: At Work
We together walked on the carpet. My heart was throbbing like it'd jump out and yell like a maniac.
"This is beautiful, right?" I couldn't help but say these words imprinted on my soul after gazing at this scenery for so long.
"It is." I don't know why, but I feel like I have severely misjudged Gehrmensch.
With the moment of calmness in our walking, I asked to create more familiarity.
"Hey, miss fashion-ist, what's your name?" I looked at her. She was blushing while looking at me? Is this dress that beautiful? But she is a professional, right? She might have seen even better than this.
"Sorry. It's just... you look too much beautiful. I'm nervous—like, is this dress really enough? Also, my name is..." Oh, that's why. Now I think my sister used to say this too. But I just never took it seriously. Maybe the work and stress made my face lose its beauty.
"My name is Cass Morphine, b-but you can call me Cass." Cass—sounds classy enough.
But right now, too many feelings are clashing in me. The realization that I'm beautiful. My hand is being held by SMILING Gehrmensch. I'm walking into a castle. I'm being treated like a princess by my team. I'm here for a mission of checking if she's good enough for Nickel? I don't think she'd even need his full wealth.
What would an enormous castle's owner even need from a man?
Only love—that can be.
Finally, the crowd was visible. Elegant gowns, bold, flashy, covering, modest. All kinds of dresses were on the females. Are these all royalties? Well, they might just be rich. Men in the royal dresses were looking so good. Maybe Gehrmensch has competition now.
But still, it's just in my mind. He probably doesn't even think of me as anything.
Then we moved near a counter. Cass found one of her old clients. Nickel had to meet the Princess before the announcement. Cupra and Gehrmensch were with me.
There was a woman in a brown long coat, burgundy crop-top, and navy blue skirt. That looks beautifully weird, to say the least.
She also had her stylist glasses and a candy in her mouth. How does she have so much confidence looking different from everyone?
She looked at me.
There were many gazes directed towards my direction.
"She looks beautiful!"
"Is she a princess?"
"Never seen her before."
"Should I ask her out? But who are those two men beside her?"
"Maybe they are her brothers."
"Look at her gown, it kind of resembles mine, but she has that veil-charm."
Too many voices. I'm so tired. I woke up today, did the presentation, got hired as a date advisor, guided Cupra's date, and now this ball. Being rich is exhausting. So much.
The woman staring at me came near me, her coat fluttering behind her.
"Hey, you!"
Me? Is she asking me?
"Who're you?" I wanted to ask that, but Cupra spoke in my turn.
"You guys don't seem to handle her carefully. Let a woman handle another woman. Trust me, I see one of my familiars in her." She seems genuine.
Gehrmensch looked at me, I nodded, then Cupra and Gehrmensch left.
My hands in front, over each other. I was looking down. I don't know what to do, so I just tried to look at the mysterious maiden in the veil.
"Snap out of your thought bubble. Try to be more casual!" She's being too much without overwhelming me.
My composure relaxed, I looked at her and spoke.
"Who are you?" She looks like a detective or something. Straight out of cowboy fiction.
"Me? I'm an author!"
Author? As in writer? I mean, both are the same, but I'm just too surprised.
"Author?"
"Yeah! You look like an angel or a lovesick maiden waiting for your lover type character. Don't worry, you look beautiful whatever you do." She's open and extroverted. Maybe I should open up too. In this vast ocean of royalties, I won't be able to find someone like her.
My arms loosened up, and I raised my thumb towards me. She looked surprised.
"I am Caroline Havens. An ex-author. But I've realized writing isn't for everyone, so currently, I'm the PA of NYCO BROTHERS."
Oh... did my tongue slip too much?
She raised her finger near her lips and started laughing. She looks beautiful as hell. Even breathing the same air as her seems illegal.
"Your hair is beautiful." I couldn't help but compliment.
"Right? My friend used to comb them. Anyways, you did open up. Now it's more like talking than replying. Also, my intro? I'm La Mesphritania. Call me La Mes."
She seemed joyful and happy. Was I like that when I used to secretly write novels hiding from my manager?
La Mes rested her hands on her waist and asked,
"Don't you wanna... know my novel's name?" Ah yes, I forgot. But I giggled.
"Heyy, what's funny?"
"Nothing. It's just you are like a child, a cute one."
"Right? I knew I was cute. My friend also used to say this to me."
"Anyways, what's your novel's name?" I wonder what? She looks like a sunshine person. Her name gives magical vibes and her fashion seems aesthetic. She might be into romance or soft-drama novel.
So something like... if I had to name my life a novel? So it'd be CAROLINE HAVENS: AT WORK. Simple yet effective.
"It's SONG OF PEN. Sounds cool, right?" Song of Pen? I don't know what to feel about it. Seems beautiful yet ethereal. Like a zephyr on the beach watching the sun's twilight.
{Can everyone hear me?}
"Oh, the announcement is about to start!" La Mes and I walked in front of the crowd and saw Nickel standing beside a beautiful lady.
Hourglass figure, red ball gown—bold yet modest. Her pure-white hair, even better than silver, that I heard was flowing over her skin. Her skin—even looking at it felt like eating a mochi. I'd sell my soul to live in that body.
"Look, here she is!" I looked, lifting up my veil a bit. La Mes seemed more excited seeing my face clearly than that woman on stage.
But I have to pay attention since she's the date.
[Nickel:–Master, I'm up there on the stage. Look right.]
I pressed my earbud and looked there—Nickel was there. He was best at maintaining his calm.
Beyond the veil, that woman looks like a dream come true. But I don't know why—somewhere it gives me Welver vibes.
Her eyes that I heard of—red, butterfly-shaped. Who even has eyes like this?
"Beautiful, right? But not more than my little sister."
Little sister? La Mes also has a little sister?
"Little sister?"
"Yeah, she has golden-leaf-like eyes. It's just we hid it from the world because I don't want to ruin her social life from popularity." She seems mature and responsible but also quirky.
"I have a little work. Can I leave?" I was planning to leave later, but the announcement—including Nickel—was out of the plan.
"Don't ya worry. I'll be here whenever you want. Just gimme a high-five before leaving, my cute Caroline." Her head tilt and hair movements are so adorable.
"Thanks." I bowed a little and then left, found a corner near the curtains where I could get a full view of the stage, and pressed my earbud.
[Caroline:–Nickel! Can you hear me?
...
Yes, I can hear you!]
Thank God the connection's fine. I was worried if they'd use a net-jacker or something. When everyone's gaze connected to that woman's, she spoke.
{Mic testing. 1, 2, 3. Is the media here?}
Media? What is she planning to do?
[Caroline: – Hey Nickel, when you met her, did she say something to you?]
[Nickel: – No, she just adjusted my collar, kissed my palm and dragged me on stage!]
[Caroline: – Kissed? For how long have you been seeing this woman?]
[Nickel: – Around three times. Monthly. But we only had small chats.]
[Caroline: – Three times? I thought you said you needed me for a 'date,' not 'cancelling directly on royal ceremonies to make literal enemies.' We are done for!]
[Nickel: – No, if I say it, she'll accept it. Don't worry.]
{So now! I, PURSERA PHINIXA QUINCOURT!!}
The voice was so loud. But after that name, I don't know what bit the media, but everyone just went numb for a second. Then only one question lingered over their minds.
'QUINCOURT'?
I don't know what that means. A name? A slur? A title? A key? Whatever it was, it didn't seem normal at all.
Before the man could finish his question, Pursera spoke.
{Yes! I, ALONE, AM THE SOLE 'DESCENDANT' OF QUINCOURT PHINIXIA. EVERY OTHER ONE IS FAKE OR FAR FROM BEING CALLED A DESCENDANT.}
Then something behind her started to rise.
[Caroline: – What is haPpEnInG?? I didn't sign up for this!??]
[Nickel: – I don't know. Is this an earthquake?]
Those were three graves.
{THESE ARE THE REAL AND PRESERVED BODIES OF QUINCOURT'S WIVES. DO I NEED TO PROVE ANY FURTHER?}
Whatever she did there, every single rich, royalty, noble was shocked. Everyone in the media started narrating their own title, filming those graves.
[IN THE 3RD FLOOR OF REVERIE]
[Is this complete?]
[Just a few pages.]
[BACK TO CASTLE OF PHINIXIA]
{If you are talking about those fakes who used Griffin or Dracula-like names, I don't see any reason to believe them. Especially, that Dracula.}
Her voice had a hindrance of calm. Who are they talking about? Why am I being dragged here?
{And secondly!}
Is she?
[Master, she is!]
{I will announce my marital partner's name! He is...}
[Caroline: – We can't do anything.]
What is that woman doing? Nearly everything that I feared a rich should avoid getting into.
[--...--..]
What's happening? Did they wait this long to start the jack-system?
All cameras of the media were starting to shut down.
[Can you hear me?—Nickel]
How is it working now? The cameras were still disconnected. Then she announced the name.
{Nickel of the NYCO BROTHERS will be my groom and inherit the lineage of 'QUINCOURT'}
[3RD FLOOR REVERIE]
[What's taking so long?]
[He's refusing to talk]
[Is he really that?]
[PHINIXIA CASTLE]
Then the ball started. And everyone was choosing their partner. The connection with Nickel seemed fine. I have to go somewhere safer.
Then a man came near me and bowed with his hand on his heart.
"Am I capable enough to serve as a part of your grace? Shall we show this place the divinity in ourselves through some steps?"
Is he inviting me for a dance? I used to wonder where men like him were. Now I know two things.
One is that they are rich as hell, and two, I prefer normal men for some reason. This just feels too pressuring.
"A..." I was confused about what to say. I had to refuse, but.
"Hey! Move!" Someone's voice caused this male to hide his tail.
"And who must you be?" The man looked back. It's La Mes!!
"She's mine, so get your nose away from her!" She's so cool. I'd be sweating hormones if it was a man, but at least she's helping.
The man, with a frown, left us. Many more seemed to be interested.
La Mes came near me and whispered in my ear.
"Go, do what you are here for. As an author, it's my responsibility to get the plot moving without some prick's filler!" On her words, I moved as I pressed the earbud in my ear.
She's an angel sent by God.
[CAROLINE:–Nickel! Nickel, can you hear me?]
[NICKEL:–For now, yes, but she...]
She closed the door and came closer to him, knelt on her knee, and asked for my hand. What should I do?
[CAROLINE:–Nice..! Can you-..- hear me?]
I whispered to myself.
[For now, yes... but she...]
"What is it? Are you whispering something to yourself?"
"No, I... I..." I was so confused, so I gave her my hand. She gave it a peck and stood, closing our distance. Her hands pressed on both of my cheeks. They are soft, delicate, and warm.
[Caroline:– Nickel!! She what? She what??]
Hmm? Looks like she noticed. I'm done for.
"I think that's enough for you to support my man. From here, I'll handle it." Her eyes darted to my earpiece as she removed it and took it closer to her lips.
[PURSETA PHINIXIA:– Thanks until now. I'll return to him unharmed.]
[CAROLINE:– What? Hey, stop? Wait!–..--.-.]
[KOADA-HYPER HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED]