章 7: Tea Party
First prince?
What was her father talking about, what business would the first prince have in a public library when the royal Library has all the books?
Besides, wasn't he sick with a weak body? Why would he go through the trouble of going to a library that's an hour and a half away from the palace?
That man was definitely not the prince. A noble, yes. But the prince, there's no way.
Katherine didn't feel the need to explain it to the marquis so she kept silent.
Taking her silence as her agreeing with his assumptions, the marquis felt rather relieved that the man his daughter was with was the prince at not a Baron's son as Rose suspected.
He didn't really care for Katherine but, he did care a whole lot about his family's reputation and marrying daughters off to prominent families was a sure way to boost reputation.
He'd be lying if he said that he wasn't shocked when he first received the edict. When the prince said he'd call off the engagement the marquis didn't expect the King to immediately arrange a marriage between the first prince and Katherine.
But he was happy, nonetheless. He would be everyone's envy for having both his daughters marry into the royal family.
So, what if the first prince was sick? Katherine should be grateful to be marrying someone with royal blood.
"The king said you should keep your engagement to the first prince a secret for now, so I'd advise you to keep your meetings discreet." "Yes of course, father"
He then passed her an invitation, "Duke Stirling's daughter is holding a tea party in two weeks and both you and your sister are invited. Please try your best to represent us well." He was talking about the way she dressed.
The marquis was oblivious of the fact that his eldest daughter was having her allowance cut. And Katherine had no intensions of letting it continue like that.
The original Katherine might have been okay with living like that, but Ciara was different. She grew up with the world revolving around her, she might not be able to continue that life but the least this world can do is ensure she is rich.
"I have a compliant, father." The marques knitted his brows in confusion. Since when did Katherine complain? "Okay out with it." "My allowance isn't enough to buy a decent dress for the party, as a matter of fact it hasn't been enough to by me a decent dress for the past few years."
The marquis was taken aback by this revelation, he had always thought that he's eldest daughter just didn't love in live in luxury or just had a terrible taste.
He believed that his wife Victoria couldn't do such a petty thing as to cut Katherine's allowance, but at the same time, also knew that Katherine had no reason to lie about such a thing. The only logical conclusion was that one of the workers in charge of her allowance was stealing her money.
"How long has this been going on?" He asked. "Ever since my mother died."
She had been quiet for such a long time.
"Okay, I'll look into it. For this party's attire you can use the money in the treasury." He gave her his seal that grants her the permission to use the household treasury. "Thank you, father." She got it and excused herself.
"That went better than expected. Guess the marquis isn't that bad." commented Ker. They were both prepared for an argument of the sort. They thought he would accuse them of lying or make a farce about Katherine not being grateful and what not. "Yeah, I guess the original Katherine just had a problem with expressing herself."
Even though the marquis didn't like Katherine, he was a sensible man.
Katherine went to start making arrangements for the dress and jewelry needed for the tea party.
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News of the marquis giving Katherine Permission to use the household funds spread like wildfire, in just a matter of thirty minutes the whole house knew about it.
"What?" "Really?" "Who would have thought that lady Katherine would manage to pull such a thing." "I wonder how the lady of the house and Lady Rose will react to this." all the servants had something to say. They were all surprised because Katherine had been quiet for eight whole years. What changed? They all wondered.
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"What the hell! How did Katherine get father to give her his seal. That sneaky little bitch, I was going to ask for that seal." Rose fumed. She was mad because, she spent a lot of money to hire the journalist who capture the picture of Katherine and the man she was with at the library, now not only did her father not do anything to punish Katherine, but he also even gave her his seal.
What was Rose going to use to buy a new dress for the tea party? She used up all of her allowance to pay the journalist. Her plan was to ask her father for thew seal.
"My lady, why don't you complain you the crown prince? I'm sure he will do anything to make you smile." her personal servant, Emmy, suggested.
That put a smile on her face, 'Of course, the crown prince. How could I have forgotten about him. It's about time that I started to use him, I didn't go through all that trouble seducing him for nothing.'
Rose never really loved the crown prince she was just after his power. After all, marrying him was a sure way to become queen. He was a crown prince with no competition. Her mother always told her that only fools marry for love, real women marry a man for power and as the marquis' daughter, she should go for the highest rank.
"Emmy, prepare the ink and paper, I'm going to write to the prince!" "Yes, my Lady." "Oh, and bring some onions, I need tears on the letter.
**********************************
In her room
Katherine was seated at her coffee table going through a catalogue of designs when she finally set her eyes on one, she wanted. "This is perfect." She smiled in satisfaction. The designer she called to design her dress was the best designer in the whole kingdom, Madam Chanel Chantel.
When madam Chanel Chantel first arrived at the mansion, she was disheartened to find out that the lady she would be serving wasn't lady Rose.
Everyone knew that serving Lady Katherine was not profitable at all since she always went for the cheap stuff. But this time Lady Chantel was pleasantly surprised when she saw lady Katherine discard all the cheap catalogues that lady Chantel had first shown to her.
Not only did Katherine discard the cheap catalogues, but she had a good eye for fashion. Whoever spread the rumors that the first lady had a terrible sense in fashion must have been lying.
The rumors that Madam Chantel heard where nothing like that Lady Katherine she was meeting today.
The rumors said that Lady Katherine was a timid and unsophisticated lady, that she was every designer's nightmare. That she was very beautiful that she inspired a lot of ideas in a designer but would always choose that ugly designs.
But, the Lady Katherine, Madam Chantel met wasn't timid and unsophisticated and all. Rather, quit the opposite. She had an air of nobility, Madam Chantel would even dare say that she had an air of royalty. A ruler to be precise.
"Very well then, Lady Katherine, I'll have your dress ready by next week." Madam Chantel said, packing her things. She was rather excited to make the dress, it was beautiful, and she knew it would suit Katherine perfectly.
"Madam Chantel." "Yes Lady Katherine?" "I don't want anyone finding out what type of dress you're making for me. Everything you noticed in this room stays in the room, Understood?" Katherine's aura was commanding and intimidating, something about it made Madam Chantel feel that no good would come out of getting on Katherine's bad side. "Yes Lady Katherine."
_______________________________________________
Katherine spent most of her time familiarizing herself with anything and everything in this new world, to do so she did a lot of reading. She frequented the library for the first few days but then finally got permission to use her father's library. This development shocked everyone in the mansion, for it was no secret that Katherine only read romance novels. She also made sure to exercise every morning and night to strengthen her body, preparing it for the shift. Before she knew it two weeks had already gone by, and it was time for time for the tea party.
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Katherine stood in front of the big mirror in her closet as Madam Chantel and her team helped her put on the dress that had just arrived. Lilly had already done her hair and makeup.
"Oh, my!" Madam Chantel exclaimed as soon as they had finished dressing Katherine up. "I knew that this knew would look good on you, but this is over the roof. I'm glad I accepted to be your designer. You're definitely going to shine at the tea party." Madam Chantel couldn't help but praise.
"Thank you for the dress I love it." The dress came out better that Katherine had expected, and she loved it. "Now this is what I like." Ker purred in satisfaction. Apart from blood, she's always loved beautiful things.
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Katherine went to her carriage that had already been prepared. This one was more luxurious than the one she usually used to go the library.
Duke Stirling's mansion was a five-hour ride from the marquis house, the party was set to start at 5pm so Katherine and Rose had to leave early.
Rose had already left, picked up by the crown prince when Katherine was finally done. Originally, they were supposed to ride in the same carriage. Katherine couldn't have been happier when she heard that Rose had gone with the prince. She didn't want to be stuck with Rose for five hours in a closed space.
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Halfway through the trip.
"Do you think we'll meet that man from the library at the tea party?" Ker asked. In the past two weeks she had not been able to forget him. They had never met anyone as handsome as him, not forgetting his soothing scent. "Do you think we shouldn't have accepted the edict?" "Come on Ker, do really think that was an option? And even if we didn't accept the edict, who's to say whether or not the man we met would want us. Might remind you that we are not alpha Queen anymore. We can't just choose our chosen mate and expect them to marry us just like that."
( clunk )
The carriage jerked to the side. Luckily even if Katherine had a weak body, she still had werewolf reflexes so, she managed to balance herself.
"What the... What's going on?" she called out to the coachman. "Apologies, Lady Katherine, the wheel seems to have come off." he seemed a bit panicked. "What do you mean, it seemed to have come off, did you not check it before starting off?" "I most certainly did, thirty minutes before starting off. And it was well screwed." He couldn't understand how such a tightly screwed wheel could come off.
"Rose." Katherine and Ker said at the same time. It did need a genius to figure out what had happened. Firstly, she decided to leave before Katherine, then she leaves with the crown prince. She's definitely responsible for this.
But what does she want to achieve by doing this?
"How long will it take to fix it." "About an hour or so." "Oh well, seems like we'll be running a bit late."
**********************************************
At the Stirling mansion.
A tea party hosted by Lady Aurora Stirling, the daughter of the southern Duke Stirling was something only those considered lucky would be invited to attend.
Duke Stirling is the king's cousin and the only remaining relative to the king. He is also one of the strongest mages in the kingdom. But despite being blessed with so much mana, his daughter Aurora wasn't. But she was a born genius.
She's helped the magic tour a lot in their research, she discovered the use magic stones in battle. At first magic stones where just used in manufacturing, but Aurora discovered a way to connect a magic stone to a sword, giving its user the same abilities as one who can control mana.
The tea party took place in the lush gardens of her family's sprawling estate, where impeccably manicured hedges form a natural boundary, adding a touch of privacy to the gathering. Delicate rose bushes bloom in abundance, releasing their fragrant scents into the air, further enhancing the enchanting atmosphere.
A long, intricately decorated table served as the centerpiece for the tea party, adorned with a pristine white tablecloth and a stunning array of porcelain teacups and saucers, each delicately painted with floral patterns that mirror the garden's blooms. Fine silverware and ornate teapots filled with aromatic blends add an air of elegance to the scene.
The seating arrangement was carefully organized, with round tables draped in pastel-hued tablecloths scattered across the garden. Comfortable chairs, cushioned with soft floral pattern cushions, invite guests to relax and enjoy the company. Each place setting was complete with a menu card designed with gold calligraphy, providing a tantalizing glimpse into the delectable treats that await.
Lady Aurora oversaw every detail, dressed in a resplendent gown, adorned with intricate lace patterns and pearls that shimmer in the dappled sunlight. Her inviting smile and warm demeanor create an instantly welcoming atmosphere for her esteemed guests.
Soft classical music wafts through the garden, courtesy of a talented string quartet positioned at a corner, adding a touch of sophistication and charm to the gathering. Guests arrive, their attire showcasing the latest fashion trends, with each person radiating an aura of beauty and elegance.
The tea party exuded a sense of opulence, with a wide assortment of delicacies displayed on tiered stands. Exquisite finger sandwiches filled with the finest ingredients, dainty scones served with clotted cream and strawberry jam, and a selection of delectable pastries tempt the taste buds. The drinks menu features an assortment of premium teas and refreshing beverages, ensuring that every guest's preference is catered to.
Conversations flawed between the attendees, laughter and whispers filled the air.
Rose had already arrived with the crown Prince, news of their engagement had already spread. When everyone heard that Katherine would also be attending, curious to see her reaction to her young sister flaunting her relationship with her ex-fiancé.
"I heard that Lady Katherine was also invited, but I don't see her anywhere, did she not come?" one of the ladies on Rose side Lady Maya commented. "How can she come, I'm sure she's out jealous somewhere." Lady Chrisean replied to the comment. "Hush, ladies, don't speak such of my sister." They all laughed. "But I'm sure she's coming, I left her preparing back home." Rose said.
"What, really? So, she's deciding to arrive late at Lady Aurora's party. How rude." said lady Maya. "Maybe she's being fashionably late" Lady Rose's comment caused even those who were unintentionally listening to bust out laughing. "Yeah right, fashionably late in rags." one of them said.
"Oh my, it's so lively in here. I wonder who the person is who's coming fashionably late in rags." everyone froze in shock as the turned to see Katherine walk in.
Is that really her? They wondered.
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