?

　　“Ugh, I feel nauseous.” I mumbled as I took hold of the chair nearby to support me.

　　“But we haven’t even put the corset on yet, princess!” Anne nagged.

　　It was the morning of the party and Anne had woken me up incredibly early to get ready. She brought along a few other maids to help me bathe, to do my makeup and hair and to help me get dressed but the nerves were getting to me and they had only managed to dress me in my innerwear before I started to feel sick.

　　One of the young maids came rushing towards me with some warm tea. “Drink this, princess. It will help calm you down.”

　　“Thank you…” I muttered as I reached out for the cup. I slowly drank the tea as my eyes went over to Anne who was approaching us with a corset in her hands. “Could we skip that for now…the party only starts in the evening after all.”

　　“And your guests will be arriving soon! You need to look elegant and beautiful for them.”

　　“Ugh…please don’t remind me.” I groaned at the thought of meeting and entertaining new people, especially important figures from all four kingdoms who were going to be at the party.

　　The days prior to the day of the party was filled with my mother and I planning the entire thing from decorations to catering and while also having to spend a considerable amount of time with Gideon as he made sure I would remember every single of my guests’ names and have knowledge about who they are so I could strike up proper conversations with them.

　　He did not fail to constantly remind me that some of the people attending the party are not so keen that an omega is ascending the throne nor that an omega is going to be married to three alphas. Gideon told me to expect the worst in people, especially those who have a way with words. I was aware of all of this even before he had told me but just hearing it from his mouth made me grow extremely anxious.

　　“Come on now, princess. We have to get you ready before your guests arrive!” Anne scolded as she told the other maid to take the cup away from my hands.

　　I sighed but straightened my posture and raised my hand so Anne could wrap the corset around me. “How are the preparations for the party?” I asked her.

　　“Lady Isabella is at the grand hall making some final checks.”

　　I nodded as I let out a stifled yawn only for that to turn into a yelp when Anne tightened the lace. “Are you trying to kill me?” I complained but before Anne could say anything, I quickly changed the topic. “And what of security? Did you get to see Rodrick or Gideon before coming here?”

　　“Yes! I spoke with Rodrick briefly before he had to leave to gather with the other guards. I have not seen Lord Gideon this morning.” She said as the other maids came closer to powder my face and style my hair.

　　“And the three alphas?”

　　“No word about them causing any trouble, princess.”

　　Since I was extremely busy with the planning and the studying, I hardly got to see Augustus, Cassian and Isaiah and somehow, hearing that they have been staying away from trouble made the level of my perpetual anxious state go down slightly. I decided to remain silent and allow Anne and the others to finish helping me get dressed as I did whatever I could to calm my nerves for the upcoming party.

　　Once they were done, I went over to the mirror to look at myself. Mother had meticulously picked two dresses for my debutante party, one to be worn in the day and one at night during the party. The day dress was less extravagant compared to the night dress but it was still absolutely stunning.

　　It was a flowy ruffle trimmed royal blue dress with matching jewels to compliment not only the dress but my features as well. My blonde hair was braided to the side to finish off the simple yet graceful look.

　　“You look stunning, princess!” One of the maids called out which prompted the others to shower me with compliments and yet, I could not stop the strange fluttering feeling in my stomach. I silently wished that the day would come to an end soon.

　　*

　　When I made my way to the grand hall to greet my mother, I was not expecting to see the three alphas already there making small talk with her. I lingered behind for a moment to ponder if I should walk away so I did not have to deal with them so early in the morning but I found myself appreciating how good they all looked in their formal attire. Before I could snap myself out of it, I saw Cassian glance over at my direction.

　　We held eye contact for a moment before the edge of his lips turned into a smile. “Good morning, Princess Cordelia,” he announced, causing everyone present to turn to me.

　　“Ah Cordelia! You look wonderful! Doesn’t it look wonderful?” mother beamed as she asked the other. They agreed in unison even though some of them, mainly Augustus and Isaiah did not look like they meant it at all. “What are you doing all the way there dear? Come over here!”

　　“I just wanted to wish everyone a good morning. I have to go…look for Gideon now.” I quickly blurted out the first thing in my mind. Somehow I knew that being around the three of them would not allow me to calm myself from my nerves and would probably only make me feel worse.

　　“Oh? Are you looking for me, princess?” Gideon’s familiar voice called out from behind me.

　　I wanted to let out a groan to release my frustration but I twirled around to face him with a forceful smile. “Ah Gideon! Just the person I was looking for! I have to speak with you.”

　　Gideon blinked. “Yes?”

　　“Let’s go outside and talk.” I said as I rushed out of the grand hall, taking in a deep breath the moment I was outside in the corridor. I was trying to make sense as to why I was a mess right now but to no avail as the more I pondered, the more sick to my stomach I would feel.

　　“Are you perhaps…nervous, princess?” Gideon asked when he finally followed me out.

　　“What makes you say that?” I asked sarcastically. Gideon paused as though he was trying to determine if I had asked him a genuine question. “I did not get a good night's sleep and I am being engulfed by my own negativity. I feel as though I am about to hurl just thinking about what is to come.” I vented to him.

　　“Ah, it is understandable since this is your first appearance before the royal members of the four kingdoms and the noblemen. I would suggest a nice stroll to clear your head.”

　　“Somehow I was expecting you to say that.”

　　“Nerves are normal, everyone has them but you are having an abundance of them because you are clearly overthinking.”

　　“I am not.” I tried to deny it but he had seen right through me. “Maybe a little…” you admitted with a sigh.

　　“Would you like me to accompany you on your stroll?”

　　“No…I can do it myself. Could you please stay with my mother instead? I know that the three of them act incredibly friendly with her and Aiden but who knows what they are plotting.”

　　“Understood. We shall be waiting here for you and the guest to arrive. Please let me know if you need anything else from me, princess. Today is your big day after all, and if it is possible, I would want you to look past the political nonsense and attempt to have fun at your first official ball.”

　　“…fun is not really on my agenda.”

　　“That’s why I said to attempt.” He bowed before he left to head back into the grand hall.

　　I did not waste any more time as I turned around and headed towards the gardens, knowing that was the place that could easily calm me down. The walk to the gardens was a quiet one as everyone was busy with final preparations before the guests were planned to arrive. I felt as though I was running away from my duties to hide in the maze that is the palace gardens but as I walked between the thick rose bushes and the scent of flowers filling my senses, I could not help myself to think back of my childhood.

　　Good and bad things had happened at this very garden. But no matter how old I get, I find myself often reminiscing about my blurry memory of the gardener’s son whose hair was black as the midnight sky. As I thought about where he was right now or what he was doing, I found myself slowly relaxing.

　　There was no strange feeling in my stomach, not loud thoughts in my head nor knots of weird lumps in my throat. It is strange that one distant memory? was enough to make me feel like myself again. As I stared at the red rose in front of me, I could not help but to want to escape this reality of mine and just explore town as I did when I was a child.