Outside the Palace (3)

“How could this happen? What about us? We have to be good and please everyone but she gets so many just because she’s the Crown Princess.” A second voice exclaimed in anger.

“At least the emperor should have put more effort into his other daughters. That hag isn’t worthy of her title. All she did was kill a few of our enemies in battle.” Another cried out.

“And a few of our people.” The fourth one said, “Maybe more than our enemies.”

The noble ladies erupted into laughter. Raquel took that moment to look down the balcony to see five noble ladies sitting near the entrance. She recognized four of them as high ranking members of nobility and popular members of High Society.

However Raquel didn’t know who the fifth member was as her back was turned to where Raquel was sitting. Raquel watched as the ladies sat quietly as a servant quickly poured them some tea before disappearing.

“I can’t believe this is happening either.” The fifth member of the group suddenly exclaimed. “Isn’t it cruel enough that someone has died because of her. They should burn her at the stake before she brings the Empire to ruin.”

Raquel felt a chill go through her as she heard the familiar voice. It belonged to her half-sister, Fania, the queen of Cadilaria High Society and the source of most of the rumors about Raquel.

Some of them had truth to them so Raquel could never pin anything on her sister. Otherwise she would have gladly gotten rid of Fania. The girl was as cruel as her mother, maybe even more so.

“Ricki…” A voice called out to her.

For a second, she thought her mother was calling out to comfort her but she quickly realized it was Ryker.

Gods, it’s been a while since someone’s called me that when I felt myself losing it…Raquel thought sadly. Seems it’s long enough that I think a man is my mother. I’m going crazy….

Raquel shook her head and looked at Ryker. He looked back at her, concerned, wanting to know if she was okay.

She wasn’t but couldn’t tell him that. They weren’t that close. They were still practically strangers stuck with each other because of her father. And now because of her old man’s stupidity…

“I’m fine…” Raquel murmured, looking into her half-empty teacup. “This always happens. I’m used to the rumors. Just ignore them…”

“No you’re not okay.” Ryker exclaimed before pointing at her hands. “Look you’re shaking…”

Raquel looked at her hands and realized she was indeed shaking. “Please just ignore them…”

“How could I?!” Ryker said in anger. “What they are doing is insulting you, the Crown Princess of their Empire. I may be a foreigner but I know that you should never insult royalty here at least. They should be punished!”

He got up, walking to the stairway, when Raquel grabbed his gloved wrist. Looking at the tiled floor, she whispered, “Please don’t…It’ll make things worse.”

The thought of having to face the aftermath of embarrassing Fania in public made Raquel shiver in disgust. She could already see the tricks Fania would pull out at the next public event Raquel was required to attend.

“But how could I not?” Ryker sighed, removing her hand from his wrist.

“There’s a royal there too…Her mother is powerful and has my father wrapped around her finger. Going down there will only cause more rumors.” Raquel explained. “More problems than it’s worth.”

Memories of the past flooded her. Of when she had learned her lesson the hard way for the first time. The pain of standing in the middle of the ballroom, everyone glaring at her…

The disgust and horror…

It had been so long, Raquel having buried the memories deep into her mind a day after the whole incident had happened. To have it resurface again….

“They say sweets help when you’re sad…” Ryker murmured as he sat back down. “Good thing someone asked for a lot of pastries.”

Raquel smiled at the comment, starting to feel a little better. Her emotions seemed to be everywhere today.

“Your highness, maybe you should hold a tea party for the princes who arrived earlier. Introduce them to your sisters and other noble ladies.” The first voice suddenly said loudly. “They’ll see that the empire has better women to offer them.”

“That’s little-” Ryker muttered, rage on his face as he got up again.

“Just leave them and eat this…” Raquel sighed, picking up a small cake. “The cake here is the chef’s top dessert.”

Ryker grumbled but sat down, taking the cake. The two then quietly ate, waiting for the group of noble ladies to leave.

After an hour of constant insults and news about the princes, the group got and left. As the door behind them closed shut, the two let out a sigh of relief.

“Thank Adath they’re gone.” Ryker huffed, turning to look at Raquel. “Are all noble ladies in the empire like this?”

“I don’t think so…” Raquel murmured. “Although I honestly don’t know many to give a proper opinion.”

“Oh…” Ryker looked away in embarrassment. “Anyway, I think we should be going. It seems your father is holding a banquet and my vassal is probably going to send out a search party if I don’t make an appearance soon.”

“Ah yes.” Raquel nodded as she got up. “It is getting late and I want to get this banquet over with.”

Raquel sighed inwardly at the thought. After the disaster that was her debut ball, she never really went to functions unless she was required to make an appearance. And now she was going to have to deal with a bunch of people wanting to use her to gain more power.

She already felt drained and she hadn’t even met them.

“You know you can just say you’re going to marry me and send everyone home.” Ryker said, breaking Raquel’s train of thought.

Raquel got up and took the arm Ryker was holding out for her. “I’ll think about it if you tell me a proper reason for wanting to marry me.”

Ryker smiled sadly as he looked at Raquel. “Let’s just say my life depends on whether I marry or not.”