Capítulo 119: Lady-in-Waiting
The old palace was situated at the southern part of the ancient Magnolia empire, this was the most prosperous territory of the empire where the land flourished with agriculture,trade and commerce because of it's connectivity with the sea route. It was the pride of the empire. Though it was not the administrative hub, it housed famous winter palace of the emperor of Magnolia.
It is called Old palace, because it predated the Magnolia empire, as it belonged to Old Empire. When Athenasio vanquished the old empire, he hoisted his victory flag and captured this palace. Since it predated the empire itself both the Magnolia and the Faunoa House had a stake over this palace, because at that time both the Houses were not segregated. Hence both the coronation of the Duke of Faunoa, his engagement, or the Head of Magnolia's wedding would be held here asper custom.
Every arrangement was done immaculately by Lady Irene de Faunoa herself, all the enlisted were going to be present for the next three days and enjoy the hospitality at the Old palace.
The schedule was a hectic one so all the employees of both the houses were on toes. Every must fall in place at had to be on schedule.
Day 1- The morning would be the coronation of the Duke of Faunoa, where Anastasio would be officially announced as the head if the house. It would be followed by the engagement ceremony. In the evening there would be a ball followed by a lavish banquet in the honour of the engagement and the Birthday of the Duke.
Day 2- It was the day before the Head of Magnolia's wedding. The custom was that the men, lead by the bride groom would go across the forest trail to seek blessing from the temple of the goddess for a prosperous married life. No one followed the old religion anymore, in fact in this country today one could even choose to be an atheist. But this custom dated centuries back, the temple still remained under the trusteeship of the Magnolias . The priest would give him an orb made up of pure gold, a holy relic of the goddess, while the other men would take blessed tokens of silver for a happy household, fertility etc. Some men even gave the token to the women they liked and proposed to them. While the women would prepare food for the evening feast, as they would come back after sunset, followed by feast and bonfire. Where the would be bride and groom would share a meal, and people would sing and dance around the fire. It was majorly a folk practice of the clan to which the founder ruler of the Magnolia empire belonged to and this tradition had trickled down even when the empire was established.
Day 3 - This would be the grand wedding day of the Head of Magnolia with Susan Palwalker.
Everything had been decided and were going perfectly, but Irene seemed to be in grave distress.
"Calm down Irene" Patricia rubbed her palm to pacify her, "At this rate you will fall sick. I know you are so riled up, it is a prestige issue for the Faunoa house." She looked down momentarily and left a deep sad sigh, "Actually we are to be blamed for this, if only we would have been a prestigious House. The difference of status is so huge..."
"Don't you dare say that Patri," Irene chided her friend.
The matter was related to the lady-in- waiting. The position of the lady-in-waiting of the Duchess of Faunoa is a prestigious position, during heydays of the empire the women in the aristocracy used to compete with each other to gain this position. These days such position were ornamental and was needed only during events like wedding or engagement. Nonetheless it was still considered prestigious, because it defined the power construct and the more closer they were to the more lucrative was their business prospects. As a matter of custom, the lady in waiting for the would be Duchess of Faunoa would need to stay bedside her during the engagement ceremony she would bring the exclusive ring tray which the lady would give to the Duke. During the wedding ceremony the lady in waiting can only take the bouquet from the bride. Irene as the Lady of House of Faunoa had personally had sent invitation to the Magnolia aristocrats for taking this position. However, there have been no response till now, it was mandatory for the lady-in-waiting to be present at the ceremony.
Irene rebuked, "the history of the house of Betrice is as old as the House of Faunoa. Evelyn is so kind that she herself volunteered to be the lady-in-waiting for Susan."
"Susan wanted to do the same, to solve this problem, but she is someone of higher status now." Patricia said "Susan is a kind girl." She was fod of Susan.
"Yes, but no one can compare with Eve." Irene retorted, she simply doted on her granddaughter-in-law.
"But the issue in hand now is how those sloppy sterns completely ignored our invitions. Not even a regret letter. We have to leave by tomorrow." Aiden pointed out to stop the women from deflecting for the matter in hand.
He didn't want Evelyn to be humiliated anymore, as a Duchess without her lady-in-waiting during her engagement would be most unsightly. None of them had informed Evelyn or Anastasio about this matter, lest she would feel crestfallen.
Emanuel agreed, "I feel terrible for that girl, as it is Evan's abscondence is enough for them to gossip. Is someone deliberately trying to stop other women from aristocratic background? Just because she is a Betrice!"
Though the truth was she wasn't a Betrice anymore, but that's a secret to be kept for the time being.
Emanuel had a point, askance Irene has suspected Lilith Tristan, the flower of high society and she already has the backing of Rosalie Magnolia.
"If things get worse I will stand beside her as the Heiress of Hatfield, in that regard I am a countess." Irene never took the title of Duchess officially because she retained her previous title. But that would only make it evident that no one took this position.
The problem was resolved almost like a miracle. It was when everyone was getting riled up over the matter when Feron Levon the butler of the Faunoa residence hurriedly interrupted the meeting.
"Pardon me for entering unannounced, but Miss Manila Langton requests an audience with Madam."
Manila Langton, the third daughter of the Langton family. Irene's eyes brightened up. In terms of aristocratic hierarchy, they held the title of Count. An old nobility who had been one of the founding pillars of Magnolia empire.
As a family of scholars, the Langtons always were apolitical, and they would never participate into such things which would get them directly involved in politics. They had always stayed loyal to House of Magnolia and yet aloof from the power game. To the Faunoas they were neither enemies nor foes. Irene wouldn't have sent this invitation to them, however considering the poor response she took a chance without any expectation.
The girl who was waiting at the living area was in th e final years of her teens. She was fair to the point of being pale, thin frame, the golden framed glasses bordering her forest green eyes, silver blond the typical of a Langdon.
"Greetings Lady Faunoa, Lady Betrice" She stood up to greet them right away. She has a fiesty smile, which brightened her otherwise plain face. "I apologize for the late response and introduction, I am Manila Lagton, my family had received your letter of invitation for the position of the lady-in-waiting for the Duchess apparent. I live at the university dormitory so it took me long to respond. Is the position still open?"
Both Irene and Patricia felt she was sent from heaven, it was the most unexpected person, but there was no time to delve over such matters, and Manila has been quite popular in high society.
"Yes Miss Langton" Irene quipped.
Manila bowed in her utmost courtesy, "Then it would be an honour for me and the House of Langton."
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