Chapter 54: Had He Ever Seen Her Before?
"Ugh..." Anna winced, her fingers pressing gently against the corners of her eyes. She blinked rapidly, fighting the surge of tears threatening to spill over.
The process of getting ready for the charity ball had felt endless, and as the hired stylist finished applying her makeup, her discomfort only deepened.
Violet, who had been patiently waiting for Anna to finish, finally spoke up. "Is something wrong, Miss Dumas? You’ve been twitching and wincing for nearly an hour. Are you feeling unwell?"
Anna sighed, leaning over the dresser as she adjusted the final details of her attire.
"It’s my eyes," she muttered, her voice low with frustration. "I got some dust in them earlier this morning while I was out walking in the garden, and now I can’t stand these colored lenses. They sting, and my eyes keep watering."
Violet’s expression softened with concern. "Would you like me to get something from the pharmacy? Maybe a fresh pair of lenses or a rinsing solution?"
Anna shook her head, gently pressing her fingertips to the corners of her eyes again. "No, it’s fine. I’ll manage."
Violet hesitated for a moment before offering a sympathetic look. "Are you sure? Well, at least the change in the event’s theme to a masquerade ball is a blessing in disguise. You can hide the redness and puffiness behind the mask."
Anna smirked, though the humor didn’t quite reach her eyes. "That’s a bit of a backhanded comment, but... I guess you’re right."
Violet averted her gaze awkwardly, but Anna simply sighed again. "It’s alright. Let’s just go. The driver must be waiting."
Violet nodded as she assisted Anna into the car. "Mr. Garrel took his own car," she noted. "He said it would be better not to arrive together to avoid unnecessary gossip."