Nightmare Came to The Place I Escaped - Chapter 38

* Thank you for the Kofi, bizzanon. [1 of 2] (⁀ᗢ⁀) *

***

 

Rachel couldn’t get up because of the pack that was put on her face, so she had to lie still and listen to the maid’s voice.

 

The pack, which seemed to be made of flour, eggs, and other miscellaneous things, had become stiff and it was difficult to even move her mouth.

 

“There’s still plenty of time, so it won’t be too late. I’ll wipe your face now.”

 

Rachel nodded.

 

Although the dress was a little late, Rachel had done other things for the time being.

 

She took a bath in scented water, and the maid put oil in her hair.

 

Rachel also had to endure the pains of leaving her body to the maids for an hour, and held in her annoyance. In fact, even if that dress had arrived in advance, nothing would’ve changed.

 

The maids were more anxious about the late dress.

 

A maid wiped Rachel’s face with a wet cloth. She’d never left her face to anyone except when she was very young.

 

Rachel thought she was getting used to it, but then the maid’s hand once again caused her to feel awkward and she blushed.

 

“Miss, I’m going to help you change into your dress.”

 

The maid didn’t wait for Rachel to overcome her awkwardness.

 

“Wow! Miss, you’re so beautiful! How did you choose such a perfect dress?”

 

The maid, who was helping Rachel change, was amazed by her appearance.

 

“I think you look beautiful when you show your neckline and shoulders. You should’ve worn a dress like this on your last date with His Majesty.”

 

The maid regretted the dress Rachel wore last time when she went to see the magic show with Ian.

 

“Of course, the other dress was beautiful, but you look much more charming today!”

 

Rachel whispered her thanks for the maids compliment, and turned to the mirror.

 

“….”

 

As soon she faced herself in the mirror, Rachel’s mouth dropped open.

 

“What?’

“Miss?”

 

When did she choose such a dress?

 

“What’s the matter, miss?”

 

It was a v-neck evening dress.

 

Rachel blushed at her white shoulders and chest.

 

“Isn’t this too revealing?”

“…You don’t like it?”

 

The maid had been told that she’d chosen the dress herself, so she tilted her head in confusion.

 

“Ah…”

 

Rachel bit her lip, and berated herself for being a fool.

 

She should’ve looked in the mirror that day.

 

She thought she had to rush back to the mansion, and she’d picked the dress thoughtlessly.

 

“Other young ladies will wear similar styles, it won’t look strange.

 

The maid soothed Rachel that it would be alright.

 

‘Other young ladies.’

 

Of course, there would be many evening dresses with revealing shoulders, but this was a first time for Rachel.

 

Unlike other young noblewomen, she’d never worn clothes that were so revealing.

 

“I’ll put a shawl on you, then you’ll feel a little better.”

 

The maid once again comforted Rachel by giving her an alternative. After that Rachel nodded slowly.

 

It had been her choice, nothing changed just because she was worried now.

 

In addition, other young noble ladies would be wearing similar dresses. It was just a little unfamiliar to her because she’d never worn an evening dress before.

 

“Miss, if you don’t mind, may I do your makeup now?”

 

Rachel nodded at the maid’s question, she was then led by the hand and sat down in front of the dressing table.

 

***

 

After that, a much more chaotic time passed. Rachel’s hair was half tied up, and waves were put in.

 

Eventually, it was decided that all of her hair would be tied up like last time.

 

The maids were very busy afterwards.

 

Which jewelry would she prefer, one with a large gemstone or the one with a longer gemstone?

 

Which chain would she like, the rose gold one or the silver?

 

Did she want the earrings that go as a set, or did she want something else that matched.

 

Whether to choose shoes with high heels or low heels? After that, she thought for a long time about whether to choose a pointed toe shoe or a rounded one.

 

As she recalled, she’d picked out a necklace, earrings, and shoes with Mike yesterday. She thought it was prepared for today.

 

But they’d just become one of many accessories to choose from.

 

She didn’t want to keep Mike waiting, so she wanted to leave, but Rachel didn’t want to stop the busy maids, who were feeling troubled.

 

She thought they knew better than she would since this was her first banquet.

 

Even though the long dress’ hem would cover her shoes.

 

She didn’t know whether the heels should be high or low, or which shoe toes would look good.

 

Rachel just waited for the maids’ worries to be over.

 

“Huh? Why is this here?”

 

The voices of the maids, who’d been agonizing for a while, quieted.

 

“Why did you put this aside, Miss?”

 

They lifted out a box carefully.

 

“Oh…”

 

It was the necklace Ian had given her.

 

“Well…”

 

While Rachel was choosing what to say, the maids carefully opened the lid of the box.

 

“Wow…”

 

They let out sounds of admiration.

 

“I think this will suit you very well. What do you think?

“It’s beautiful. I think this is the best choice.”

“I think so too. This is the best. Miss, what do you think?”

 

The maids turned to Rachel.

 

“But that’s…”

 

Rachel hesitated for a moment.

 

“His Majesty gave it to me.”

 

Rachel felt uncomfortable about wearing that necklace.

 

Ian had given it to her though.

 

She just wasn’t sure if she should wear it however she wanted.

 

“His Majesty gave it to you?”

 

But the maids’ seemed to have gotten the wrong idea from what Rachel said.

 

“Oh! I envy you.”

“I didn’t expect His Majesty to be so kind.”

“Well, he often smiles at you.”

 

They whispered quietly among themselves, and once again looked down at the shining necklace with envy.

 

“I think this would be better.”

“I’m sure His Majesty would like you to wear this too!”

 

Ian didn’t come to see her these days, but she felt uncertain about wearing the necklace that he’d given her.

 

Rachel wasn’t particularly inclined towards wearing the necklace, but nodded at the maids’ recommendation.

 

Knock Knock

 

“Rachel, will it take much longer?”

 

At that moment, Mike knocked on the door.

 

“I don’t want to rush you, but if you could be ready in twenty minutes so we can get there in time.”

“Sorry, I’ll be ready by that time.”

 

Rachel said this to Mike, and nodded to the maids.

 

When the necklace was decided, the earrings that matched the necklace were quickly chosen.

 

Perhaps the maids had come to their senses after Mike’s words, but Rachel’s choices were simplified.

 

“Thank you. Well, I’ll be back.”

 

Rachel hurried out of the room, fearing the maids might catch her again.

 

***

 

“Rachel, aren’t you nervous?”

 

In the carriage to the Imperial palace.

 

Mike asked this, as he looked at her expression.

 

Rachel shook quietly at his question.

 

There wasn’t much she had to do there anyway.

 

All she had to do was follow Mike.

 

Meeting nobles wasn’t that difficult for Rachel.

 

In her previous life, she followed Diana Avery around and met many aristocrats.

 

The insulting moments were fleeting anyway.

 

The nobles always seemed to be afraid of being ostracized, but for Rachel it was a different world.

 

Once she set foot in there, it wasn’t her world.

 

A few hours at the most.

 

There was nothing difficult because it would be over in a few hours. After all, she had no honor or reputation.

 

“Well, I’ll be there for you, so you don’t have to be nervous. Tell me whenever you feel uncomfortable or tired.”

 

Rachel frowned at Mike’s subsequent remark.

 

“I’ll rescue you out of there any day.”

 

Rachel looked over at Mike for a moment.

 

If the nobles found fault with her, would that harm Mike and Duke Oates?

 

In the eyes of others, she was a member of the Oates family, and her mistakes could cause damage to Mike and the Duke.

 

Nevertheless, Mike didn’t look nervous at all. He didn’t seem nervous that she might make a mistake, and showed the people of the nobility that she was short on aristocratic etiquette.

 

Rachel tried to guess what Mike was thinking, then gave up and spoke.

 

“What if I make a mistake? I’m not very good at manners yet, so I might be criticized.”

 

Rachel said this cautiously, wondering if Mike had considered the worst.

 

Mike only smiled quietly, as if he hadn’t thought or worried that the Duke might get arrested because of her.

 

“Don’t worry, I’ll be there for you.”

“But still.”

“You said you weren’t nervous, but you are worried.”

 

The Duke’s carriage passed under the Imperial gate.

 

“As long as you’re with me, there’s no problem. You’ve learned more than enough. Also, if you make a mistake, I’ll take care of it, so don’t worry.”

Mike realized that they would have to get off the carriage soon, and told Rachel his last request.

 

“That’s enough worrying. Now, step down safely.”

 

Then the carriage stopped, Mike stepped out of the carriage first, then reached out to Rachel.

 

Rachel couldn’t understand how Mike could be relaxed, as if he didn’t care what was going on, but she felt somewhat relieved to see his smile.

 

The Imperial palace was brighter and more colorful than the square on the night of the festival. Pillars decorated with flowers and ribbons, and the melody of stringed instruments that could be heard gently.

 

Although there were no clear voices or loud laughter from the nobles, the absence of that sound made Rachel feel a little stronger.

 

Rachel held Mike’s hand, and comforted herself by saying ‘This splendid moment will soon be over.’

 

***

 

“Young Master Mike Oates and Young Lady Rachel Oates are entering!”

 

The voice that announced their arrival stopped, and Rachel stepped toward the banquet hall, guided by Mike, who took her hand in his.

 

She pulled her chin in slightly, kept her gaze straight, didn’t blink too much, and walked as carefully as she could.

 

Rachel took a step, and tried not to forget the posture she’d learned from Countess Achille.

 

When Ian told her that it was going to be useful, she didn’t realize it was because she’d become a young lady of a ducal house.

 

She had been instructed by Countess Achille for this moment.

 

Therefore, she would not make a mistake.

 

Because that was what was given to her.

 

***