CHAPTER 009: Fretum Palace

Princess Jasmine inhaled deeply; refrained from gritting her teeth and showing an unseemly expression.

'Do I know what to tell Mother?' Princess Jasmine sneered in her mind.

She did not want to hear the soft voice of her sister who only knew how to plaster her wickedness by pretending to be a saint.

"Sister, I'm worried about you." The third Princess said. Her brows were pulled up together, her eyes turned gloomy, and her lips trembled as if terrified of her big sister's sharp glaring stares.

"Be silent, Liezel. Be silent." The second Princess said. She was already occupied with establishing what she should do during her conversation with their mother. Princess Liezel threatening her in this moment of panic… was too much. The building pressure and emotions were overloading Jasmine.

"Jasmine, saying my name to Mother won't make your situation any better..." The third Princess's voice was mellow, and the second Princess's voice was punitive and intense. Listening to their exchange it was clear that Princess Jasmine was reprimanding her younger sister.

"Jasmine—"

"Can you not hear what I am telling you? Did your ear get rot like your brain? Why can't you shut up?"

"I understand… don't get mad. I'm just worried about you."

Gaon, the attendant of the Queen was not saying anything, but Princess Jasmine could see the subtle disappointment in his expression that was slipping as she treated Princess Liezel sternly.

"Gaon."

"Yes, Princess Jasmine?"

"This should be enough; we can go to the garden by ourselves. You can leave."

Gaon halted for a second and stared at Princess Liezel with pity, "Are you sure, Princess—"

"Leave." Princess Jasmine said firmly. Gaon squeezed his fingers together and sympathetically looked at Princess Liezel before he bowed his head to the two princesses.

"Yes, as you ordered, Princess Jasmine. May the sun of Seerian bless you, Princess Jasmine, and Princess Liezel. I shall take my leave." He said respectfully.

"The peasant is gone. Why did you command him to leave sooner Jasmine? He is another irrelevant, irritating servant of mother that would want to get their nose in someone else's business." Princess Liezel said as if the angel vanished and a wicked witch appeared. "You understand what I said, right? You should not tell mother, I killed Yanarym—"

"Gaon is a respectful attendant of this kingdom, Liezel. Being involved in the royal's business is his job." Princess Jasmine tonelessly cut off her sister's reminder.

"You're defending him? He is not even on your side."

"Is that the problem right now? You killed Yanarym who is not supposed to die that way." Princess Jasmine said with a stern countenance, which did not affect Princess Liezel at all.

"In case you forgot big sister Jasmine, you are my accomplice. You helped me kill her. It is your fault. It would be smart not to mention my name."

"I will not mention your name, enough of that already. Why do you keep on repeating yourself? Stop talking."

The greenhouse in the Fretum Palace was called Orcus Garden. The enchanting scent of flowers and grass growing in the dirt was bringing the essence of its pureness. The fresh, soothing air that was being released by nature. The lush grasses and various beautiful flowers were blooming in the sunlight. It was an infamous garden that was nothing as beautiful as any garden in the kingdom of Menotalis. However, it was not available for the public view and guests, the people who could witness its mystic exquisiteness were limited.

Pavements consist of round rocks with various colors of reddish, and grayish, rubies, diamonds, and exquisite stones. The pathway was directed to the place where the glistening, golden tableware of the queen's parlor was in the middle of the garden. The ambiance was mystical.

A woman graciously seated gilt wood chair with an arched upholstered back and rectangular seat scrolled molded arms on octagonal baluster supports, and partly fluted baluster legs joined by molded X-shaped stretchers; back embroidered with the emblem of a golden crown with a wreath vector, surrounded by an inscribed Garter, surmounted by a Columbidae.

Commensurate with the law of Seerian, royal blood could demand their aesthetics to become exclusive in the monarchical. None of the others could copy their elegance duplicated by the blood of commoners or aristocrats.

With that said, she was swathed in a gown made rich use of velvet, silk, and fur, the dazzling color of white that symbolizes purity, and the pastel blue that emphasized her softness. Over the underskirt, a long gown was used that was covered with a well-appointed taffeta. Additionally, embroidered lace and gems were used to further decorate the woman's appearance which signified her majesty as the Queen of Menotalis.

Charming, alluring, sophisticated, quick-witted, and graceful. Queen Eriela.

She had long golden straight hair, and because it was a casual day, she had her hair loosened and flowing freely in the wind, giving her a youthful appearance despite her age. She had a mole under her right blue charismatic eye that made her face more captivating.

The savvy lips that could smile in such a temptress and an amenable demeanor. In this kingdom, no one could claim the title of the most beautiful woman other than Queen Eriela herself.

"Mother!" Princess Liezel ran in Queen Eriela's direction and was hailed by her mother's charming smile.

"Mother, Jasmine has something to say to you," she said and shifted her eyes to Jasmine after smooching her mother's cheek as a greeting. "Go on, Jasmine. Tell Mother."

'This —' Princess Jasmine bit her tongue to hide the resentment she was feeling towards her sister.

"Princess Liezel," Queen Eriela said.

"Mother?"

She was drinking a cup of tea when her daughters showed themselves in her sight. Her mood enlightened as soon as she saw her beloved youngest daughter rushing toward her.

"How many times should I tell you that running is unladylike?" Queen Eriela gently reprimanded Princess Liezel. She moved her eyes to face Princess Jasmine. "What do you have for me, Young Lady?"