章節 18: How Different
"Then, since the first princess cares about my health so much, I will take my leave first." Queen Shannon stood up and walked away, accompanied by her large fleet of maids who just arrived.
Lily was about to add something to her words when she felt a cold hand on hers. She glanced at the little hand that barely covered hers and then at the owner of the hand who still had his head down. She then sighed and said something that was contrary to the words that she planned on saying before, "Take care of your health, Your Majesty."
Camille stood up and ran after her mother.
Lily left as soon as Camille and the Second Queen was out of sight. The tea party was not a success, in fact, it turned into a battle ground in mere seconds, and the spectators had no idea what it was. Camille who was supposed to be the hostess had left without any words, hence the noble children slowly trooped out.
Even Lily who came to seek connections so as to find a suitable governess had made no progress.
"I met four members of the royal family today." One of the girls beamed, "I want to meet Prince Perez too!" She squealed happily as she dragged her aide away.
This tea party was truly a thing of joy for them even though they maid no real connections with the said royals.
"Your highness!" A familiar shrill scream pierced her eardrums, causing her to groan.
"Lady Capulet."
"Your highness." She answered, looking at Lily with eyes full of longing.
"You shouldn't scream like that." Lily massaged her earlobe against her tragus.
"I'm sorry, I just wanted to give your highness a ride before going back home."
"It's fine. I brought a carriage."
"Oh."
A moment of silence ensued as both parties remained quiet.
"If you will excuse me, I will be taking my leave now."
"Your highness!" Christina yelled again, and Lily held back the urge to groan out loud.
"What is it, Lady Capulet?" She asked between gritted teeth.
"M-my aunt i-is a governess."
"Huh?" Lily loosened her clenched jaws and turned back to Christina.
"You mentioned something about needing a governess a-and...t-though my aunt is still unknown, she's a pretty good teacher."
Lily tilted her head. She did carelessly mention her need for a governess once but she thought that no one had picked it up since they quickly moved on to the next topic.
"I see. What is your aunt's name, Lady Capulet?"
"Lilian Capulet, S-she is unmarried, so she still has the Capulet last name, however she lives in the Capital."
A glmmer of an unknown emotion flashed in Lily's eyes, "Did you say Lady Lilian?"
"Yes, Your highness. She is still quite unknown and unheard of, so maybe she's not worthy of..." Christina slowly nodded, as her words became a distance sound in Lily's ears.
Lilian Capulet. What great luck. The Capital's number one socialist and the top lady of high society. Though, she remained unmarried for as long as Lily could remember.
"Lady Capulet."
"Your highness."
"I will send an official letter to your manor. Kindly leave your address with Mary." Lily gestured at Mary who was far behind.
"Thank you, Your highness." Christina bowed.
"Lily smiled and murmured underneath her breath, "No. Thank you."
* ~ *
Camille held her skirt up and ran after her mother. This wasn't what she had expected when she called her mother to the tea party.
She had told her grievances to her mother, though, adding certain details to spice it up, and she had hoped that her mother would put Lily in her place, but something else happened instead. They just exchanged words and greetings then parted ways like two long lost friends who deeply cared for each other.
"Mother!" Stomping her feet hard against the group, she followed her mother into the drawing room. And with an angry face, she banged the table with her small hands, but the pain was nothing in comparison to the embarrassment that she felt.
"Nobody loves me!" She sobbed, "Nobody even cares to stand up for me! Not you! Not father! Not those nobles! And not even that stupid boy you brought home!" She fumed, her body trembling as she let out her anger.
Queen Shannon stared at the fusing child, "Stop making such an unlady-like fuse."
"Lily insulted me." Tears gushed out of her eyes.
"She barely even glanced at you."
"T-that was because you were p-present." She looked away, "Why are you even standing up for her?!"
"Did it look like that to you?" Queen Shannon glared at Camille, who flinched in fear.
Queen Shannon looked away from the child, she rubbed her hand against her temple. When Camille had come with a complaint, her plan was to settle it while also scaring Lily a little, but it didn't bode well.
Now, she felt stupid for doing something so childish.
She glanced at the sobbing child again and bit her lips, turning her eyes away.
It was only a three years age difference, why were they so different from each other?
Probably because of their paternal genes.
She wouldn't be in this scuffle if Camille could properly hold her ground and defend herself against her elder sister.
"Go to your room now, Camille." She ordered coldly and the child picked herself up and ran away.
What was she planning? The girl with the bloodline of cursed redheads and those evil blue eyes. What was she planning this time around?
* ~ *
Lily trembled slightly as she felt a sudden chill run down her spine.
"Are you cold, Your highness?"
"No, it just feels like someone's talking about me."
"You believe that?" Mary chuckled and helped Lily into the carriage.
"Well."
"Your highness, it's the second prince." Mary whispered in a hushed tone as she caught sight of the a lonesome figure walking back to his palace on his own.
"Where does he reside?" Lily asked.
"The south wing, Your highness. I thought that he would stay at the east wing since he was adopted by the second queen but I guess that's not the case." Mary answered.
The second queen choose where her children should reside, so it was understandable. If she could send her own first daughter all the way to the west wing, then sending an adopted child, who was birthed by a mistress to the south wing was even more considerate.
"He has no servants?"
"That I don't know, Your highness."
Lily drew in a long breath before speaking out, "Let him in."
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