The Garden Party

"Melissa wanted to open an art gallery?" Prince Xavier asked the Queen, surprised at this news.

"Yes, Zachary informed me yesterday. I didn't know she can paint. You painted once with her, was she good?" The Queen was puzzled too. The late Archduchess Rose had never mentioned about her daughter's talent in painting, in fact if she recalled, Melissa's talent seemed to be in baking and embroidery.

"Well…." Prince Xavier was hesitant to answer. Yes, he had shown her some painting techniques and she had tried to copy him but that's about it. He had never seen her actual drawing.

But then Prince Xavier recalled the rose sketch that she had done for him and thought she must've nurtured it over the years when she was alone at home. He immediately asked a page to retrieve the sketch from his room. When he showed it to his mother, the Queen smiled and said, "It's so beautiful Xavier. Did you sketch this?"

"Melissa did it." Xavier said.

"What? It's really amazing. Such a talented child!" Queen Serina exclaimed in surprise.

Prince Xavier smiled and continued staring at the drawing, lost in his own thoughts.

Suddenly his mother said excitedly, "I wonder if she could paint a portrait of me. The one that was completed previously isn't to my liking. I looked so old in it!"

"I'm sure she could do that for you. The garden party is coming up. Didn't you invite her as well? You can ask her then." Prince Xavier beamed with joy when he spoke of the upcoming garden party.

When she heard of the garden party, guilt overcame her and the Queen quickly said, "Yes, yes, I can do that. Make sure you attend the party Xavier. Everyone is expecting you to be there."

"Of course. I have something I want to discuss with Melissa too regarding her art gallery. I will be there Mother, don't worry." Prince Xavier replied, totally oblivious to the fact that this party was actually meant for his own matchmaking.

"Good, good." The Queen thank Heavens for Melissa. If not for her, Xavier might not attend at all.

The renovation for Melissa's art gallery had started and Duke Malcom had instructed Sir Andrew to oversee it. The poor guy had never been so busy ever since he started rendering his services to the Knights. He had to go over early in the morning to make sure the renovation work started on time and from time to time, he needed to check the blueprints that Lady Melissa had given him to make sure the designs and workmanship matched that of his Mistress's vision.

After the day ended, Sir Andrew needed to see Lady Melissa to report to her the day's progress. Sometimes Lady Melissa had a new opinion about the designs and she would also let him know about it in detail so he could convey the message to the builder. Sometimes the discussion could go on quite late, even Lily who was waiting on her Lady would accidentally fall asleep next to her. However, no matter how tiring he was, Sir Andrew was also excited to be able to assist his Mistress. He had finally found a sense of purpose in his quite laidback life.

"Sir Andrew, can the renovation be completed within this week?" Melissa asked softly. One could see tiredness in her eyes as well.

Melissa had been painting nonstop for the past few weeks, as well as managing the art gallery with Sir Andrew. Luckily she had Sir Andrew to help her with the overseeing of the works at the gallery.

Thinking of help, Melissa's thoughts drifted to her own brother. Lord Melvin had gone to the countryside again to check on his lands. He had indicated that he would not be attending the garden party. In fact, Melissa suspected that there were only two reasons which made his brother left in a hurry, either he's really upset with her, or he has a girlfriend in the countryside. Judging from his sad expression when he left, it should be the first one. Come to think of it, why isn't Lord Melvin seeing anyone? Is he also waiting to be match-made like the rest of the highborns? Or he's simply a shy person when it comes to ladies? Maybe she needs to help him? But her own situation…. Aargh, whatever, why am I thinking of these things now?

"Yes, My Lady, the renovation can be completed by this week. By the way, My Lady, there's something I need to tell you." Sir Andrew said cautiously.

"Yes, what is it?" Melissa turned her head to look at him.

"The building owner went to the art gallery today to have a look. I thought you should know." Sir Andrew told her.

"You mean Benjamin? He must be curious. It's his building after all. Did he say anything to you?" Melissa smiled when she heard about Lord Benjamin.

Hearing how casually Lady Melissa addressed Lord Benjamin Blackwell, Sir Andrew was taken aback. When did his Mistress get close to Lord Benjamin Blackwell that she actually called him by his first name?

"No, My Lady." Sir Andrew replied.

"Alright, thank you Sir Andrew for your hard work. I truly appreciate it." Melissa said with a smile.

"It's my duty. If there's nothing else, I shall take my leave My Lady." With that, Sir Andrew bowed and left the room.

In fact, what he had failed to inform his Mistress was the fact that Lord Benjamin Blackwell did not only come to the building site but he had actually spent quite some time going around and scrutinised the workers while they're doing their job, causing everyone to be anxious under his cold stare. Even Sir Andrew did not escape his glare before he left the site. Best not to inform these insignificant details to his Mistress lest she would be worried for nothing.

The day of the garden party at the palace arrived. Melissa spent the morning getting ready. Actually she wasn't keen to dress up but Lily had insisted on doing her hair and make up. After she was done, Melissa was slightly horrified as to how she looked like. Her hairdo was huge, it looked like a beehive on her head, not to mention Lily had stuffed some kind of gemstones in the 'beehive'. And her make up…she had to take a deep breath not to scream in horror. She had somehow dabbed too much powder on her face, Melissa now looked like a donut covered in flour. Her lips were so red and Melissa didn't even want to think about her eyeshadows.

"Lily dear, do you honestly think this sort of make up suits your Lady?" Melissa turned to her maid and asked.

"Well, this is the latest fashion My Lady. All the other ladies wore their hair and make up this way." Lily said, her voice wavered showing her uncertainty.

"But does it suit me?" Melissa asked again.

"I apologise My Lady." Lily said, nearly cried. She had thought it would look good but upon close scrutiny, she realized the make up was far too heavy and didn't suit her Mistress's calm and gentle temperament.

"It's fine. You did your best. Let me handle it myself." Melissa said gently.

After she removed the heavy hairdo and the make up, Melissa simply braided her long hair and use a thin gold hairband to secure her fringe in place. Her make up was minimal, she only applied a neutral coloured lipstick and black eyeliner, no eyeshadows. She chose a simple low-neck gown in pale golden hue, and a thin golden necklace as the only accessory.

Once she was done, Lily covered her mouth in shock. "My Lady! You looked so beautiful."

Melissa smiled at the praise and walked out of her room. However, just before Lily asked Sir Andrew to bring the carriage around, the carriage bearing the Kensington's estate emblem entered the yard.