บท 15: Tea Party 1
"Camille heard that sister caused mother to be thrown into the dungeon." Camille sobbed. And Lily simply watched her spectacular play with aloof eyes.
"But mother won't do too much since Camille has pleaded on sister's behalf."
She didn't say that mother won't believe those words or mother will forgive you, but she said mother won't do too much. How vile.
"I cannot help but feel that I am listening to a horribly-telled tale." Lily shook her head, the use of third person's perspective while speaking was already annoying enough, and now, she was spewing nonsense too?
"What?"
Lily quietly kept flipping through the pages without giving an answer.
"Camille understands-"
"Camille has a very bad habit of being incapable of greeting her royal elder sister." Lily finally raised her head, "And Camille should know that it is quite wrong, considering that a punishment might or may very well be induced."
"Camille is also royalty, Sister!" She replied angrily with a huff.
"Sure. Whatever floats your boat, Princess." Lily snickered. It would have been fun to burst the sweet princess's little bubble, however it was not yet time.
"Ha!" Camille smiled, her lips stretching into her cheeks almost so creepily that Lily wondered if her real father was some kind of monster.
Then with a perilous smirk, she said, "Camille would also like to invite sister to my tea party. In three days, Camille would be very happy if sister shows up." Before disappearing out the door.
She finally left. Lily glanced at the door, and a smile creeped it's way to her lips, what she wanted just came to her on a golden platter. If she attended Camille's tea party then she could meet influential nobles and make better connections.
* ~ *
Camille bit her finger as she walked through the hallway. When she met Lily in the library a few weeks ago, her reaction was off, however, she simply assumed that the title of first princess had gotten into her head a little bit.
So, she paid her a visit again today, hoping it would be like the other days where she would smile and welcome her with open arms and then look longingly at the door, anticipating mother's presence.
What happened?
Camille stopped in her tracks and then thought with wide eyes; was this related to the third queen somehow? Maybe a little mother figure in her life had affected her a little bit.
She turned around and noticed how elegant the palace was now, though, it was empty, it was still beautiful. Why would the palace of an abandoned girl be this beautiful? Simply because she was the first princess? Then again, anybody could be a princess these days, even filth.
I would put her in her place on the day of the tea party, when she shows up in those worn-out dresses that mother tosses at her, then I will surely embarrass her.
"Tsk." She spat on the red rug and left the Lily's palace.
* ~ *
Three days came by quickly and the second queen was still quiet, so as the king and Count Herald. She had nobody to handle the graphite mine yet since the Eastern Duchy was strangely busy. It would be best if she could get the Duchy of the Northern region on her side too, but the nobles in the Northern region barely even leave their land, talk little of the Ducal family.
"You look pretty, My Princess." Mary beamed, decorating Lily's beautiful red hair with ornaments that the third queen had sent.
The light blue dress that she wore was crafted from soft, flowing fabric, adorned with beautiful silver embroidery along the neckline and hem. Its sleeves were gracefully puffed at the shoulders, tapering down to the wrists, where they gathered into elegant cuffs. A satin ribbon in a slightly darker shade of blue laid on her waist, and the small ruby pendant-like necklace that dangled on her neck was extremely beautiful.
"My Princess!" Mary walked around her happily, checking for any unadorned places on her head, "You're going to be attending your first tea party!"
Meanwhile, Lily quietly stared at the reflection of herself in the mirror. She never had such clothes or jewelries in her past life, hence, she never looked this beautiful, even on the day of her debutante ball, they didn't even bother applying make-up for her.
She slowly caressed her face, and then her lips, "Can I apply a little rogue?" She asked, turning to Mary, who yelped in response, "No! Absolutely not. You're still young, My Princess, and you're beautiful just the way you are."
"I just wanted to try it out." Lily murmured with pouted lips like a wronged child.
"Oh my!" Mary exclaimed, I'll make sure I put it on for you on your debutante ball, "Now, let's go. Shall I get you a parasol?"
"No...or sure." Lily changed her mind immediately, and Mary nodded, picking up the parasol that she had prepared before hand.
"It's going to be a long walk all the way to the east wing."
Lily ignored Mary's worries and simply walked before her through the hallway.
"Your highness." The coachman who was waiting beside the carriage bowed to her.
"Ha!" Mary gasped, "When did you get a carriage?!"
"Her Majesty the third queen lent it to me." Lily replied as the coachman helped her into the carriage.
"Ah! So many things have been happening these days! It feels so surreal!" Mary covered her mouth as she explored the inside of the carriage, "The cushion is so soft." She muttered, almost choking on the tears that had gathered in her eyes.
Lily smiled at her reaction and looked out the window as the carriage slowly started moving to the East wing. This luxury that she couldn't afford to dream of in her past life, it felt like it was now laying on the palm of her hand, all that was left to do was to grab it and never let go - eliminating whosoever tries to take it away or get in her way; This way, Lorain would not have to suffer too much when he comes into this world. He wouldn't even need to suffer at all if she play her cards well.
"We have arrived, My Princess." The coachman knocked on the carriage door, snapping Lily out of her reverie.
"So quickly? It takes a long time to reach here by foot." Mary beamed, her eyes filled with happiness and a tinge of curiosity.
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