7. Little White Rabbit

I let out a quick yawn as I have four maids to get me ready for the birthday party tonight.

I slept late reading Sera's journal filled with entries about her daily life and information involving magic. It is a thick book, and I haven't finished it. I fell asleep with the journal on my chest. I continued to read after waking up and then took a nap.

Since I couldn't leave the room without my family noticing me, they wouldn't want a woman in a white gown walking down the hallway like a wondering ghost.

I mean, I won't mind and haunt them, but I'm too lazy to call Prisca maybe to give them a scare. I know she would love to pull on pranks.

That would be a grand sight to see.

But I don't want to bring any more of my people here and scare off the guest. People wouldn't like me to get monsters to attend the party.

Thinking of my friends made me miss home, and I wanted to get this done and over with.

I yawned again.

"My lady, would you like a cup of tea?" One maid, Lucy offered.

I reach for the cup to take a sip. The warm liquid quenched the dryness of my throat. I place the cup back on the tray. "Thank you."

I shouldn't be sleepy but drinking tea with help me wake up. These maids were assigned by Francis and ordered by my Grandfather. He assured me that these were his people, and I got nothing to worry about.

In my heart, I trust him.

After all, he promised to protect me, and these maids are no ordinary servants. Francis explains these women are part of Cornelius' secret army. They are highly skilled assassins and are here for an assignment. For today they disguised themselves as my maids for extra protection.

But I wasn't going to have him shield me once I made a grand appearance before my family. I want to see their shocking expression, especially my precious sister. I can only imagine once my name is announced and everyone sees me in view. The look on Rebecca's face will be priceless.

"Lady Alice, Annie, and I will now start with your nails and toes," says Cara. "Myra will do your make-up."

There were four of them in which I had a clear view of their faces. It's not hard to distinguish them because they are quadruplets.

Four have the same faces, but I can tell the difference.

I leaned my head back as a maid did my nails and toes. The third is doing my make-up and hair. It took more than two hours to fix and make me beautiful. I forgot how annoying dressing up for a fancy party is.

I remembered in the past life how my family would attend parties like this.

Once finished, I put on the gown with their help.

"We are finished, my lady."

This time, I had my eyes closed to make their magic work to make me beautiful. I opened my eyes. I couldn't recognize the person in front of me. This Alice and I have similar features, even having a birthmark in a shape of a butterfly behind my ear.

I lean closer to the tall mirror to study myself. I never thought I looked this beautiful with even the girls' help. If I were in my time, I would have no time for make-up and wore it with only lipstick and concealer.

But with much effort and help, I can look this good.

Grandfather chose to give me a strapless long velvet emerald gown with a slit on the side to reveal my bare leg. I didn't know Grandfather had such a taste. Francis told me it once belonged to my grandmother when she first attended a banquet to honor and welcome Sera as the new archmage.

I pull on a smirk.

"You look beautiful, Lady Alice," says the cheerful Lucy.

The door to my room opened to reveal Zayn in a black tux with an emerald gem tied around his neck to match my gown.

"Oh my, Mister Zayn, you look dashing."

The girls agreed and let out a squeal. Although they are elite killers, they are still women who love a good romance.

Zayn approached me with such a flush on his face.

I reach and touch his cheek and smile. "You are handsome, Zayn."

"My lady," his eyes sparkle. "You look more appealing than I am."

I felt heat flush on my face and pull on the smile more. I touched the large emerald gem. As I see a reflection, I sense magic in the gem. "Did Grandfather give you this?"

Zayn looks down. "Yes, Archduke told me it used to belong to your grandmother."

I kept my eyes on the rock. "There's magic inside."

"Yes, he said. Lady Sera put protection magic on it. He mentioned it was your grandmother who gave this gift to the Archduke before she left but instead, he gave this to me.

"I guess he mentioned my grandmother to you," I say as Zayn nods. "That's odd but kind of him. I guess it suits you."

Why would Cornelius give Zayn such a precious gift from his first love?

"Yes, it matches your dress. We perfectly match."

My whole face lit up in a flash like a tomato once Zayn made that seductive remark. My heart skipped a beat as I looked up at him.

I turn my face to the side to hide my blush. "S-Shall, we get on then."

Zayn chuckles and extends his arm out. "My Lady."

I no longer felt the heat on my face and accepted his gesture as we left the room. As we walk down the hall, I spot Cornelius at the end talking to Francis. Once I caught their attention, Cornelius gasped, and I could see his eyes in tears.

"My Lord," Francis hands him a cloth to wipe his eyes.

I rush to him; worried something has happened. "Grandfather, are you alright?"

"I'm okay," he smiles and sees the light in his eyes. Cornelius takes my hand into his. "You look so much like Sera."

I can feel the love of Cornelius for my grandmother. I felt deep inside how much she meant to him, even if they couldn't share their life. Cornelius had a one-sided love for Sera, and no matter who she was with, he will still love her.

But the question that always came to mind and not in any of Sera's entries in her journal is, who is her lover?

If Sera had a child with this man, who is he, and where is he?

Something is going on, and I can't figure out what.

Once I'm back to Pandora. I will need to ask Sven to go on a mission for me.

"Well, are you ready, my bunny?"

My body cringed at that nickname as my head snapped up in shock. "W-What?"

Cornelius chuckle. "It's been years since I've called you that. Although you are no longer a child, you are still my Little White Rabbit."