Second Life's Revenge

The next day arrived and just as she predicted, there were only a few customers coming in. It's not like she could do anything about the rumor since it's all over town already. The anger she had has subsided but there were times where she would think about it making her feel annoyed all over again. 

She sighed out loud while changing one of the mannequin's dress into their latest designs. This dress didn't have many frills and looked simple but elegant. When she turned her back, all she could see was an empty shop, and all she could do was frown and not think about it any further.

"Laura?" Serena called as she got worried about her.

"What is it?" Laura turned her back, seeing Serena putting an expression she never had thought she would. Why does she look sad? Is it because of the rumor? Or is she worried about her? It is unusual for Serena to make a face like that.

"Are you alright?" asked Serena as she rubbed her arm.

"I'm alright. Why is did you ask?"

"No, it's just that there's a party tonight and I was just worried if you were going," Serena hesitantly said, making Laura giggle. She thought it would be more than that but it was just about the party. Well thinking about it makes her nervous but she didn't care much about what others said about her. All she was worried about is the test.

"Don't worry about me. I don't care about what they say. I am still me and the rumors aren't even true," assured Laura as she gave her a smile.

"Is that so…"

"I will be fine. Don't you need to worry about yourself? What dress are you wearing to the party?" Laura raised a brow as Serena started to panic. She ran to the nearest mirror and looked at herself.

She found herself pathetic with the evident, dark eye bags under her eyes and her dead looking face. It will take hours to groom herself properly and she will need to add more powder to her face than usual.

"What do I do? I need to prepare myself. I look horrific," Serena cried as she touched her face.

"Go ahead. You have been working hard and you need a break. Go and make yourself look alive again," Laura joked as for Serena she nodded her head and called for a carriage. Before the carriage arrived Serena asked, "What about you? Aren't you going back to the estate?"

"I will in an hour. I was planning to close the shop earlier because we don't have customers coming in," said Laura.

"See you tonight then," Serena waved goodbye then entered the carriage.

Laura made her way back to the mannequin she was dressing up earlier and placed it in the window for display. It's saddening that only a few came that day and if this continues she'll need to cut some of the budgets. She laughed softly thinking she would go crazy with the papers she would need to fix.

An hour later, Laura made her way back to the estate, and to her surprise, she bumped into someone she hasn't seen in a while. The blonde girl walked passed Laura as if she was invisible and didn't even bother looking at her. Tine rather looked happy with the results of the rumor. Even if Laura tries doing something about the rumor there won't be much that she can do. Unless a much more juicer rumor spreads 

"Miss Laura! Let's hurry and make you gorgeous. It's sad that His Grace isn't able to pick you up today," Fiona said as she pushes Laura into the bathroom.

"He has his reason not to. Erwin is a busy man."

"If only you start residing in his estate then everything would be alright. I am still scared of Miss Tine. I can't imagine an Empire being ruled by her," Fiona shivered as she imagined Tine sitting in front of the people. It didn't suit her at all.

"I agree with you but we don't know what's going to happen in the future. So you better watch your mouth," Laura warned Fiona who kept her mouth shut instantly.

The chances of Tine faking her fall was still pretty high, fifty percent perhaps? No, it might be forty. In the past, Laura never had a chance to fight for this title. That's because she didn't look fit and didn't stand out much to the people. Count Harrison didn't think twice before giving the title to Tine. Which was a disaster. The budget assigned to her was much lower than now and she couldn't afford to buy a dress to wear to any party.

Now that it's different because even though she was quite unsure where the path is going, she is ready when the time comes.

"There you go. You look much more gorgeous with that dress. I assume Miss Serena made it for you?" said Fiona as she braided a small part of Laura's hair.

"Serena is amazing. I can't wait for her other designs."

"I agree."

"Miss Laura, the carriage is ready for you," Lester called behind the door.

"I guess I have no choice but to leave now?" Laura said as she looked at Fiona who was nodding and smiling ear to ear.

"Have a safe trip!"

=====

In a flash, her carriage entered the gates of the palace. The lights were opened and one by one the nobles got out of their carriage. Laura stepped out of the carriage and she knew that she wasn't welcomed by the other nobles just by the way they are looking at her.

Once again those eyes were looking at her. When was the last time she received hateful eyes looking at her? It might be just for now but she hoped for it to disappear and at the same time hopes that the rumor about her would clear out soon.

She entered the ballroom and kept walking to the area where she usually meets Serena and the other ladies. The other ladies are the Duchess and Viscountess Andrea. But the Duchess is late since there are many other nobles who wish to talk to her. Being popular must be quite tiring.

As Laura goes nearer and nearer to the spot she usually goes to, she sees Serena and Viscountess Andrea waiting for her. Serena notices her then waves her hands happily. During those two years Serena grew much more mature. She wasn't as scared to step into the ballroom and face Prince Winston. But usually, she would dodge him and distract herself, in order to avoid him.

Laura didn't know if she was stressed because of him and wished to do something about it. But then she decided to leave that to Prince Winston. He should fix his own mess.

The first thing Serena when Laura her was to touch the dress she was wearing as she couldn't be any happier by the success of her own creation.

"It's nice to see you again, Miss Andrea," Laura greeted.

"You look nice in the dress. As expected from my friend," Viscount Andrea gave a wink at Serena who felt shy with her praise. Serena said, "Please don't flatter me. I'm going to have more inspiration on a new creation and get scolded by my older brother."

"Speaking about your brother. He's getting married is he?" brought up Viscountess Andrea.

"That's right. Miss Eliza is pregnant that is why," Serena said in a whispering way.

"Please reach my congratulations to him."

"I will."

"I do not wish to interrupt you ladies but do you mind having a dance with me? Lady Serena?" A man asked as he offered a hand at Serena.

Serena looked at Laura asking for help but she pretended not to notice it and was forced to accept his hand. She didn't want to accept his hand but she didn't want to be rude and make the man sad. It's just a friendly dance and nothing more.

"I…do not mind at all," and with that Serena walked to the dancing circle.

"Don't you think Serena should move on?" Laura asked Viscountess Andrea who didn't seem to care about it.

"I would find another man if I were her," bluntly answered Viscountess Andrea while Laura agreed and couldn't help but feel bad for Serena.

"But it's not like we could control her."

"Yes, it is her own personal life. It is hers to solve," Viscountess Andrea agreed.

"Miss Andrea, you're so stern," Said Laura while Viscountess Andrea pretends not to hear, her making her continue, "I take that back. I'm sorry."

"What are you apologizing for? There's no need to do so. It was just a joke."

Laura was shocked to see a grin on Viscountess Andrea because it was a rare scene. If she had a camera with her she would take a snap of her with that grin and sell it to her husband.

"You're smiling," Laura reminded and the grin on Viscountess Andrea disappeared. She then said, "You didn't see anything."

"I did."

"You didn't."

"Please accept your defeat," Laura teased.

"No."

"I will treasure this memory till I die."

"Please don't," Viscountess Andrea got a wine glass from a passing servant then took a sip. She then said, "Aren't you going to dance with your partner?"

"He's not here."

"Are you sure about that? Look there," Viscountess Andrea pointed her lips, making Laura turn her back to see Erwin, wearing the suit made from her shop.

"I am not late am I?" Erwin asked as he walked towards Laura.

"You are…very."