Chapter 608: Clever Cecilia Vaughn

The makeup artist known as Blossom frowned as she glanced at Cecilia Vaughn, who was already nearly done being adorned.

"Alright, just apply your lipstick. I advise you not to try any tricks. Even if you do, with so many people in the hall, you won’t get away with it."

"Okay, thank you for the warning."

Cecilia smiled softly. When the makeup artist named Blossom turned to fetch the bridal gown, she quickly hid a gold hairpin from the table into her sleeve.

Fortunately, this woman had already dressed her in something similar to ancient inner and undergarments, with wide sleeves perfect for concealing things.

The tip of the golden hairpin was very sharp, and Cecilia figured that if used properly, it could hurt someone.

...

Speaking pessimistically, Cecilia even considered that if she reached the point of absolute despair, she might as well end it with the pin.

After all, being buried alive in a coffin was an unbearable experience, and dying early would be better than suffering.

Of course, this was a last resort, to be considered only when there was no other choice.

A remarkably handsome face flashed in Cecilia’s mind.

She wondered what Adrian Law was doing at that moment. Was he still in a video conference with those overseas clients?

Cecilia felt a twinge of sadness but quickly steeled herself. As the makeup artist was about to turn around, she picked up the lipstick left on the table and gently applied it.

She felt some strength returning to her body. Although not as strong as when fully awake, it was still better than being completely at someone else’s mercy as she had been in the car.

...

"You’ve applied it quite well."

The makeup artist nodded with satisfaction.

Because time was running out, the makeup artist didn’t give Cecilia a complex hairstyle. Instead, she simply pinned it up in a quick but aesthetically pleasing style that matched the length of Cecilia’s natural hair.

"Raise your hand, and I’ll help you with the dress."

"Alright."

Cecilia had anticipated that they wouldn’t give her the chance to change on her own, so she had moved the hairpin to the cross collar beforehand.

If she had kept it in her sleeve, it would probably have fallen out as soon as she raised her hand.

"You look beautiful like this."

The makeup artist complimented her simply.

Saying that, she brought a mirror for Cecilia.

Cecilia glanced at the woman in the mirror, her hair elegantly coiffed, with dark eyebrows and a charming flower ornament between them. She looked like a living Goddess from ancient legend, but instead of divine radiance, there was a cool, sorrowful aura.

Isn’t this makeup a bit too melancholic?

...

Cecilia found it both amusing and sad that she still had the mind to consider such things.

"Miss Makeup Artist, I saw someone in the hall earlier drawing those Spirit Suppressing Talismans. Now this makeup doesn’t seem like an ancient bridal look. Are there special rules you follow?"

"Yes."

The makeup artist looked at Cecilia like she was already a dead person. Frankly, since Cecilia was so beautiful and they had no personal grudges, the makeup artist felt a tinge of pity.

"You’ll understand soon. According to the master, burying someone alive can easily lead to problems, so a sorrowful makeup is used to suppress fate, lest Miss Vaughn’s fate proves too strong."

"..."

Uh, so this is makeup to suppress my fate?

Impressive...

...

Cecilia was someone who disbelieved in ghosts and gods. She only thought it was quite "hard work" for Old Mrs. Trent to devise such superstitions to fulfill her son’s wishes. If possible, Cecilia hoped to return the favor to Old Mrs. Trent in the exact same way.

Old Mrs. Trent loved her son so much that, in Cecilia’s opinion, her face already looked sorrowful enough without makeup. She could simply lie in the coffin to perfectly fulfill her eternal wish to guard her son.

...

Mockery aside.

It’s tragic for anyone to experience this.

Cecilia’s smile was bitter as she took a deep breath.

"Alright, you can help me out. Thank you, Miss Makeup Artist, although what you’re doing is aiding and abetting evil, I appreciate you solving my doubts."

If she got the chance to escape, Cecilia thought she might spare the makeup artist, dealing with her leniently.

As for the other accomplices, they could spend the rest of their days in prison.

"You’re welcome."

The makeup artist clearly didn’t take Cecilia’s thanks to heart. After all, how much could someone facing imminent danger care?

...

Cecilia was covered with a red veil.

It wasn’t the heavy silk, but a light gauze, blood-red, faintly blurring Cecilia’s features.

Yet her haunting beauty was not diminished; instead, the ethereal feeling made her even more captivating, making one want to lift the veil.

...

As Cecilia was led into the hall by the makeup artist, she clearly heard several male bodyguards gasp.

It was evidently in admiration, even some with sighs.

—Such a beautiful young girl, about to be buried alive.

Cecilia had expected the man named Tiberius Trent to wear a 3D-printed mask resembling Reginald Trent’s true features, to signify that the groom was actually Reginald. Unexpectedly, he wore an ancient executioner’s mask, completely obscuring his face,

Well...seeing herself through a veil that reveals features seemed pointless.

Cecilia found humor amid her suffering, comforting herself with this feigned optimism. Old Mrs. Trent, seeing Cecilia obediently coming dressed in finery, felt her hatred transform into satisfaction, pleased at last with Cecilia’s appearance as she anticipated her demise.

"Good, good, good!"

"Omit whatever is unnecessary from the wedding ceremony. Come, bow to each other as husband and wife, then send the bride straight to the bridal chamber!"

Cecilia knew she would be sent alone to the bridal chamber, so she wasn’t as nervous.

If the chamber had windows and was by a lake, she’d rather commit herself to the water than be buried alive.

Pressed to bow with Tiberius, Cecilia acted without false pride or resistance.

Saving energy was ultimately worthwhile.

However, during the bow, she and the so-called fake groom were separated by a blood-red coffin, enough to give a timid girl a heart attack.

...

As expected, after the ceremony, she was sent directly to a room as the makeup artist described.

Cecilia’s hands were tied.

Though no one was in the room, there were guards outside.

She focused on the welded window, her initial plan crumbling.

What to do?

Just then, a commotion sounded outside the door.

"Young Master Tiberius, you can’t go in! The old lady instructed that after substituting for the elder brother in the ceremony, you can leave!"