Royal Chapter 13

"Where are you going?"

Audette halted as she stood up. They arrived a minute ago and were escorted by the butlers to their respective seats and table when Audette feeling mundane by seeing that they were some of the first ones to arrive at the place. She expects the tea party will start late because of the waiting of the guests' arrival.

'Just how much big this garden is? I must roam around to see myself,' Audette thought earlier but she thinks her sisters would not like the idea of it as they will suspect her on trying to leave the palace and go to the town to gamble.

'I would not dare to be suspicious enough. Think of something else, Audette,' she thought.

"Ah..." she glanced at her silver bracelet and an idea popped at her head. She secretly took off her bracelet and hid it behind her. "My bracelet slipped from my wrist while on our way, I guess. No, I am sure of it. I will go back and find it."

"Do you want me to help you?" Mirella suggested worriedly.

"No! No, I will ask for help from the guards instead. It will be quick, I promise." Audette flashed an almost fake smile before she left her sisters to talk to the other guests.

She walked right past to the guards and went to the fountain, near the entrance of the Garden of Fleur. Audette fancied the beautifully crafted sculpture of an angel with wings, stepped on the flowers, looks like it was dancing.

'The Matias family knows art as well. Impressive and fascinating. I will find out the artist behind it the soonest.'

Audette thought about creating ones like this huge sculpture but she is a princess. A princess never touches like clays, ceramics, sculpting scrapers and other tools used for sculpting. She is bound to be prim and proper, trained to be a perfect wife to some strange royalty and bears children.

She sighed at the thought of marriage. She just hopes she won't be engaged too early as she is currently sixteen years old only.

"Walk slowly, Milady!"

Audette lost her train of thoughts after hearing someone speak, near her position. Her eyes roam around and found a maid or a lady-in-waiting rather, assisting a lady in her big beige and carnation pink gown. Judging by her physical look, she comes from a very wealthy family. It is obvious because she is wearing extravagant pearls for jewelry that exactly looks expensive.

The lady walks toward the direction to where the gazebo was established. She will definitely pass her way, where she was standing. Audette sighed in frustration for she too will have to great to give respect.

When the milady walks towards her and finally glimpse at her presence, the milady tripped. About to fall, Audette was fast enough to catch the lady's waist, wrapping her arm around it to prevent her from falling forward.

In an awkward position where the lady leans at Audette's shoulder level, the lady raised her head shocked, met Audette's eyes and it felt like the time stopped just for the two of them.

Audette looking closely to the lady, suddenly made her feel both uneasiness and nervousness. As she stares at her beautiful face more deeply, she can write in a whole book just by describing her beauty and shocked face.

While Audette stares at her, the milady started to think why does she look at her that way. She never saw this lady before.

'She must be one of Luana's friends, she probably met in royal balls.'

When Audette stares made uncomfortable, the milady straightens her body and slightly pushed Audette away from her. Her lady-in-waiting brushed her dress to make sure there's no crumpled hem.

"I am sorry for my actions, Lady...?" Audette finally had the courage to speak.

"Eleina Genovieve Siedvez," she said while smiling lightly.

"Lady Eleina, such a beautiful name."

"Then you are? Judging from your appearance, you must be from a wealthy family," Eleina softly spoke then runs her sight from Audette's head to toe.

"Not that much. I am just a pri---" before Audette completely finishes her introduction, a new lady arrived and greeted Eleina.

Audette suddenly felt out of place which is really accurate as she doesn't know these girls in front of her so with all due respect, she excuses herself but they didn't hear her. She slowly walks away from them and went back to the gazebo where the party is. She thought of talking to Eleina later when the party is over or still on going or whatever happens.

----

"The guests completely arrived. We should go now."

Kadline feels excited about the most intriguing tea party she'll ever host. Probably not because of the imported teas she got from other countries but also because of the guests, which are not just ordinary ladies in the country, they are the daughters of Dukes and Kings or have a high ranking societal status that made them belong to the elite socials. It is enough to say how powerful this tea party no one can't compare to the others.

"You look happy, sister, while I'm here nervous." Luana heaves a deep sigh before Kadline faced her.

"Don't be nervous! Think of it as a tea party with close friends. Besides, you can't forget the main reason we are doing this, right?"

Luana nodded and smiled, "Yes, how can I forget? I can't wait to see what she will do when she hears the news."

Kadline and Luana grinned to each other and giggled and stopped when a butler introduces their names, time for them to make an entrance to the main place.

Everyone in the gazebo stood up and curtsied after the two Matias Princesses did theirs. They went to their respective seats and motioned everyone to take their seats. Kadline left standing as she will do the welcome remarks for the guests.

"Tea is the finest solution to nearly every catastrophe and conundrum that the day may bring. It is such a pleasure to meet all of you, ladies and princesses. I would like to welcome you to the Matias Kingdom of Beaumont, Belgium to taste the best teas we can offer. I hope you at least just for today, sit and sip. Forget your troubles, a little bit ignores the stressful tasks you have to do and just enjoy a cup or two." Kadline elegantly welcomes the guests and flashed her charming smile to everyone inside this gazebo.

She clapped twice and the maids came in line holding their teapots and carefully fills everyone's cup. The delicacies of all sorts are placed already in their tables. Luana made sure the guests will have plenty of choices to choose from, including some of the guests favorite sweets.

"The first tea being served is from the United Kingdom. A fresh chamomile tea. Let us all raise our glass and cheers!" with Kadline leading, all of them raise their cups, not too high, and said cheers even though some of them aren't happy with it as they see that action only applies to alcoholic drinks not for tea parties.

'As expected from her. She is still strange. The first princess never changed.' Princess Gwyneth of Scotland raised her one brow as she thought of it.

She still doesn't know how she ended up here when in the first place, she never wanted to be included in this such a boring party. Unfortunately, her father, the king, wanted this and told her it is for the best of their kingdom. She didn't understand how a mere tea party will affect their kingdom's future. In the end, she didn't have a choice but to attend and try her best to be friendly with these other royalties.

Everybody expressed their insights after indulging the first tea. Some are glad for its taste and then there's both Audette and Hans who coughed when they sipped their teas.

"What an awful bland taste," Audette coughed that made her three sisters stares at her deadly. She immediately places a napkin to her mouth to make herself shut up from speaking further that will anger her sisters even more.

On the other hand, Hans coughed but acted like nothing happened as he keeps his poise. He is not fond of drinking teas and he is only doing it for the sake of his friendship with these ladies and Kadline. He secretly tossed his tea behind him and get back on talking to Amanda who, fortunately, didn't saw his illegal act.

"What do you think they will announce?" Amanda curiously asked.

"Probably, engagement. I heard one of them got engaged to a prince." Hans whispered the next words, "And if my assumptions are true, then it is Princess Luana."

"We thought the same thing because if it's Kadline, she would've said to us beforehand. Right?"

Hans slightly nodded to avoid suspicion with the other guests that he and Amanda were just gossiping about the princesses. They are close friends of Kadline. They would have been the first to know about her private life.

"For all, I thought this party is intended only for girls. What is this feminine boy doing here?"

Not only Hans who was shocked by Princess Gwyneth's intriguing question but also all of Kadline's noble friends. Kadline frowned at what the rude princess just said.

"Princess Gwyneth, I don't think you are behaving properly," Luana said before Kadline even speaks about it.

"Oh, did I say that out loud? Apologies about my careless act, your highness, but I was just wondering. It was an honest judgement." Gwyneth slightly smirked before she sips her cup of tea with so much satisfaction.

"How dare you---" Hans exclaimed but Victoria, who was seated beside him other than Amanda, stop him from speaking offending words further. Victoria thought it is not the right time to talk back especially to the ruthless princess of Scotland.

"Viscount Hans is my loyal friend and everybody knows that he is not a male in his heart. You should double-check your honest judgement first, your highness, because it sounds lacking information and somehow, ignorant." Kadline stares with her winning smile at Gwyneth who lost her smirk and bowed in defeat to show an apology.

'She never changed. She still gets on my nerves!' Gwyneth thought to herself.

"So, it is really true how ruthless and judgemental she is. No wonder I don't see her often visiting Belgium." Nathaly whispered to Licillia.

Licillia smirked at how the princess bravely showed her true colors in front of them especially that it is the first meeting of Licillia and Gwyneth. She heard many rumors about the Princess of Scotland but she never thought she would be this rude and inferior to people below her.

'Let's see on how far you will wear that smirk, Your Highness.' Licillia smiled as she stares as Gwyneth who is busy on eating slowly her cake, showing how elegant she is.

"What are you thinking, Licillia?" Nathaly nervously asked.

Nathaly knows Licillia the most. She knows how nosy and honest Licillia is, and no one can stop her on getting what she wants. Not even Luana and Eulalie. Despite being almost known as a war-freak lady, Nathaly still rooted for her because Licillia never acted carelessly. She is intelligent and confident that sometimes, Nathaly was insecure.

Before even Nathaly stop Licillia, she stands up and gets their attention for the announcement. Luana still hasn't announced her engagement yet. She was supposed to do it when Licillia stood up with a wide smile and looks at them.

"Isn't it the best time to be acquainted and be friends with each other? Am I right, Your Highnesses?" Licillia grinned and glances at Luana and Kadline's direction. Luana doesn't know what her friend is plotting but she cleared her throat and genuinely smiled before she speaks, "Yes, Lady Licillia. That is our main purpose why we gather everyone here."

Luana looks directly to Licillia and as if they have telepathic senses, she understood what her friend would love to happen.

"What do you mean, Ana? Isn't your announce---" Kadline halted her whispers to Luana when the princess also stands up to order a maid, whispered what she needs and all of the maids send off to get what she asked for.

"I know how much we all wanted peace for the world. So, would it be better if we stop drinking tea and drink wines instead to match the atmosphere?"

Some lighted their faces knowing they won't drink a grass flavored water again. They all agreed and the maids took out the teapots and cups, replacing with wine glasses and filled with wines.

"What are you doing?" Kadline almost loudly whispered but Ana refused to listen.

"These wines are freshly made from our vineyard and exclusively meant for your noble tastes only. Please, indulge in." Luana all smiles as she never thought this party would end up to what she wanted.

"May I request you all to stand up, holding your glasses?"

All of them unknowingly what is about to happen next just do as what Luana said. When they are all set up, Luana grinned and finally announces,

"Let us cheer for the best friendship we will have today and also..." She roams her sight to all of them first before she continues, "for my joyful engagement and future marriage with the Prince of Netherlands."

'Woah, look at how happy she is when the last time I heard, she almost cursed the prince. Tsk.' Isobel thought that made her smirk.

"Cheers!" And they all wholeheartedly sip their wines while smiling to each other half-heartedly.

'Look at how the tea was replaced by wine so easily. Things would probably not be as normal as how it should be.' Isobel sighed and smiled at Eleina who genuinely smiled back at her.

'What a hoax play,' she thought.