Heroine On Strike

“You shouldn’t do that! She’s not a 13-year-old girl anymore! Young master shouldn’t walk around with her in his arms like he used to! Even young master Evan now doesn’t tease her like he used to.”

Ethan glanced at Maylin for a second and walked past her without responding to her. Unlike Evan, he never listened to Maylin and said, “Maylin, save your lectures for Evan and Ella. There’s no use trying to lecture me. You will tire yourself out. I’m just hugging my sister, alright? Ella, do you not like me hugging you?”

Maylin signaled for Ella to tell him not to treat her like that anymore as he asked her confidently. Ella ignored her as she asked, “Did you give the boutonniere to his highness?”

“I gave it to him already. I also reminded him multiple times to make sure he wears it today.”

“Because you did what I asked, then I don’t hate your hugs.”

Suddenly, Ethan made a complicated expression as his sister smiled brightly and wrapped her arms around his neck. Then, he released Ella from his embrace.

“Ethan?”

He felt even more uncomfortable as Ella asked him what was wrong. For some reason, he couldn’t answer her question.

“Would you hate my hugs if I didn’t give him your gift?” asked Ethan disappointedly.

He began walking towards her room as he slightly avoided Ella’s eyes. She quickly ran up to him and grabbed his arm.

“I was only joking. I would never say that to you.”

“I can’t believe your words.”

“I’m only speaking the truth. How can I make you believe me?”

He stopped and looked down at his sister while he contemplated. His actions were never serious, so Ella grinned with no nervousness. He already knew the answer to her question. Ethan, using his long finger, tapped his cheek. “Come to think of it. No one gave me a kiss today.”

Ella smiled and kissed him on the cheek. The only people who were allowed to receive her kiss were the duke, the duchess, and Ethan. Evan and Eric were not given this honor for constantly teasing her. Even though it was a prank done when they were young, Ella’s grudge lasted long and seriously, so this privilege only remained with Ethan. Using this privilege, he had managed to change the topic.

As Ethan escorted his sister back to her room, they talked casually. Today, Ella needed a lot of time to prepare for her debutante, which Maylin heavily insisted on and made him send Ella to her room, his lip shook a bit. There was something he wanted to tell her, but in the end, he couldn’t. His face darkened as the door shut in front of him.

***

Ella was busy after she parted with Ethan. She was put into water and dragged all over the place. When everything was said and done, she stood in front of the mirror. She was mesmerized by her dress. It was a pastel pink dress with the Constance family emblem embroidered onto it. She smiled in satisfaction. This emblem was proof of her effort and dedication from these past three months. There was a special culture in the continent of Ledeemed where girls on the day of their debutante wear their family emblem on their dresses. It was proof that they were mature enough to bear the emblem of their families.

‘This is proof I’m a member of the Constance family.’

Ella’s heart pounded with excitement, and her clear emerald-colored eyes shined. She felt she was officially a member of the family now. A beautifully decorated crown with silvery flowers was placed on top of her head where parts of her hair were pinned up. The silver powder was sprinkled onto her hair, and she wore a pearl necklace and earrings that her mother gave to her. She also wore perfume that was a present from Eric. Lastly, the wristlet corsage that Ethan had put a lot of effort into preparing, was wrapped around her wrist. Ella brought her wrist up and kissed the corsage. A happy smile appeared on her face. Her maids were astonished by her beauty.

“You’re so beautiful!”

“His highness will fall in love with you at first sight!”

“Of course, he will. Just look at her!”

“I am looking forward to the amazing magic that will happen when your corsage and the prince’s boutonniere meet. It will be beautiful, right?” Joanne spoke admiringly as she clasped her hands with sparkling eyes.

As if Joanne had asked an obvious question, Smila replied, “Of course! You know how much effort Evan used to make it happen. We even have a new magician now!”

“I heard he used all kinds of magic in the ballroom.”

“Yeah. I heard that the magical powder falling from the chandelier was the best one.”

Joanne continued to share everything she heard about today’s event. She blabbered the stories excitedly as if she was the only one who saw it directly, and everyone in the room was listening to her words with an intrigued look. While everyone was busy chatting and listening to Joanne’s stories, someone knocked on the door.

“Ella.”

It was Evan. The party had already begun, and it was almost time for Ella’s debutante to begin. Leaving behind the excited maids, Ella left the room with a flushed face. Her heart pounded. She had a bad feeling when she saw his stiff expression. Her heart stopped pounding fast along with the ominous feeling.

“Evan, what’s wrong?”