Chapter 33

It was almost the same as last time.

Silence washed over the room of ladies. But this time they didn't wave me over. This time they stared at me and rushed over to me.

The red haired girl who I now identified as Lady Raya, a commoner like myself from a well known family of knights, held my hands in hers.

"Lady Colter, I would love a dress like the one you're wearing!"

I blinked at her in surprise, forgetting I was basically advertising my store.

"Of course" I tried to smile, but I had a feeling it looked strained more than anything, "just put an order in to my cousins residence and I'll have it prepared as soon as possible".

She tried to thank me, or at least I was sure, but the voice of other ladies overlaps.

"I want a dress too? Can I have one customised?" I heard one lady say or maybe two .

"Of- Of course- all our dresses are customised to our clients"-

"I would love one like yours but in white!" Lady Brown cut me off.

"Again, just send an order"-

"Oh I would adore one like Lady Harts in the ball" Lady Hue's words resulted in a resounding round of agreements.

I was beginning to get dizzy. So the amount of gratitude I felt when Lady Willow cleared her throat was immeasurable. Everyone was silenced.

"Please, Lady Colter, take a seat. You seem quite fatigued this afternoon", she held a hand out to a seat and I much obliged.

Lady Willow was truly fit to be queen.

"Thank you, Lady Willow" I let out a deep breath as I sat, but no sooner was table the full of the young ladies once again.

"Do you suppose I've done well in the last round?" Lady Sanchez asked me.

"I thought your answer was quite adequate" I replied with the straightest face possible.

"I hope so… I truly wish they had given us a chance to think over the proposal instead of bluntly throwing it at us" she sighed and I couldn't help but feel surprised at her words. She was right. Somehow I felt embarrassed having judged her back then, because we were in the same boat.

"It was. I hate debating" I replied, throwing a glance round the table to the other ladies who were each immersed in their own conversations.

My eyes rested on Charlotte.

If I remembered correctly, the dukes brother was a royal advisor. He was the one I recall when I think of the title . Hat and all. I had always found it strange anyone would willingly put themselves in such a seat, later assuming that he must have been driven by such a great greed for power nothing else held much importance.

I frowned at the very thought.

It wasn't much different than being queen.

Either way, you were a flower, watched to wither.

"Lady Willow, may I confide in you?" I asked, surprising the girl who turned her head my way, pink eyes staring at me curiously.

"You wish to confide in me?" She repeated as if she had misheard.

"I- yes. Sorry if it may seem sudden".

"Not at all. I was simply surprised as we haven't been well acquainted, but by all means", she smiled warmly.

"I wanted to know more about royal advisors" I paused to make sure I wasn't stepping on a land mine, her face was unchanging so I continued, "I personally have little knowledge of them, beside the fact that they give up all indulgences to serve the king".

"Ah… you refer to my uncle" I noticed an awkwardness in her voice. "I'm not too acquainted with my uncle personally, but if you want to understand the role then he isn't the best example. We should discuss somewhere more private" she whispered and stood, one footman pulled her chair back just before she stood and another picked up her bag.

She basically looked the VIP she was and I could barely abstain from a snort.

We ended up walking to her guest room, which I couldn't help notice, only housed her. Before I could ask she answered.

"The other two girls failed the first round".

"Ah".

The footman settled her bag and excused himself.

"Take a seat" she said as she sat on a plush red chair by the table. I sunk into the two seater and noticed how luxurious the room was in comparison to ours. This time she didn't explain.

"So regarding your uncle not being the best example… what exactly is a royal advisor supposed to look like?" I asked before she could even relax her shoulder.

She grimaced at me, holding up a hand as her kind eyes turned into watchful ones and she studied me. It was as if she was rinsing out my personality in her head. My objectives.

"Why do you have such curiosity in a matter that should have nothing to do with a business woman such as yourself?" Her voice was no longer welcoming. She spoke with cold tones. Requiring an imperative answer.

"I can not answer that. Forgive me, the matter is… personal" I frowned, wondering if this was futile.

"I can respect that, however I still require an answer. You don't always have to provide the truth" she spoke in such seriousness I couldn't laugh.

Did she just give me permission to lie?

I understood why. She asked because the information I might get could lead to a result that may dissatisfy individuals. And if traced to her, she could end up in disgrace. She's simply asking for an excuse if the worst outcome arose.

"I… have an interest in pursuing a post in the palace".

She nodded, brows knitted.

"That- That'll do" she smiled and then finally began. "The Royal advisor is a role in which a person of knowledge and prestige devotes themselves to Grandor. It does mean giving up relationship that require their full attention like marriage, which is why I personally do not recommend it. But that doesn't mean you can not love someone or have a lover. It also doesn't mean you can not indulge yourself. So long as Grandor is the most important thing to you. After my Uncle became the royal advisor and took the role with such seriousness everyone saw the posting as an extreme choice of career. That is why society sees it with such…" she paused looking for the word.

"Distaste?"

She flinched at the word.

"I suppose that'll do" she nodded, face contorted, "I don't enjoy speaking of my uncle much so please excuse my expressions."

It wasn't as though I understood, but I nodded gratefully.

"Thank you for your time Lady Willow. I suppose being a royal advisor isn't as vexing as I thought, though one would have to have a lot of aspirations to take such a position".

"I would call it unique aspirations" she added and then touching a hand to mine softly she leaned in, "do not speak of this to anyone, but the only reason my uncle looks unscathed performing in court is because he…" she paused as her eyes downcast in shame, "he holds affections for neither male nor female".

"Like Elves?"

"Exactly".

I recalled the rumours of the Willow family having Elven blood in the Elven village I had visited, but I hadn't asked why at all. I cared little for the rumours. But I suppose with smoke comes a flame.

But despite everything I had learned, it didn't mean I was open to picking it over queen. It would definitely bring the Colter family to tremendous prestige as it did the Willows, but would my parents even approve of me holding such a position?

I could still travel and open business' in the Empire…

I had returned to my room terribly tired and when it was time for dinner, I hadn't expected that we would be graced by the prince himself.