Audrey

Tall gates hovered over her small figure, yet they looked taller than any gates she had seen. The Bergmont's home was giant, much like her own, and she felt intimidated by the golden gates that guarded it. She took a deep breath and turned to her guard, nodding to indicate he should have the gates opened. The doors opened to reveal the Viscount and his family, the scruff Viscount wore a new suit on this occasion, his wife was in a deep blue dress, her hair neatly tied in a bun. Next to the Viscount was a small girl, taller than Audrey, with auburn hair, green eyes, adorable freckles and chubby cheeks. Her hair was in two plaits that sat evenly next to her ears. 

"Thank you, so much, for having me over. I bought a present for your daughter, Lilly, I wasn't sure what her tastes were but I love chocolates and pastries so I bought a box of each from Le Patisserie in the Square. My staff tells me they're the best in the country." Lilly's eyes lit up but she remained cautious of the mysterious princess. 

"Thank you, Audrey. Please come in, Lilly. Why don't you show her around?" Cal advised. Lilly nodded, shyly approaching the princess. Audrey's palms were covered in sweat, her neck was itchy, her face felt hot, and her clothes too tight. She'd never felt so nervous because she'd never really had the opportunity to be friends with anyone before. None of her servants brought their kids, the only other young child she'd interacted with who wasn't related to her was Edmund and she had the same feeling on a much lower scale whenever she had met with him. He still hadn't sent word even though she had sent him a letter. She hoped he was okay.

Lilly chatted unstoppably as she showed Audrey around her manor, each piece of art was carefully chosen, and each room styled with love, unlike the Daisy Palace, this looked, felt and smelled like a home. She was beloved by the servants who could anticipate all of her actions before she made them. Her clumsy manner of talking and informality made it easy for Audrey to feel comfortable around her. Soon, they arrived at a table, with teapots, biscuits, and chairs everywhere. The girls sat next to each other and, one by one, the young ladies of society arrived, each under 12 years of age. 

The young ladies were curious, they had never met the princess, only heard about her like the rest of the Kingdom. The servants of the Daisy Palace spoke very highly of her, albeit, with a lot of pity. They saw a shy girl, with near-perfect posture and etiquette sat next to her exact opposite. For all of Audrey's grace and perfection was juxtaposed with Lilly's wit and roughness, and yet the girls got along like a house on fire. 

Opposite Audrey sat Daphne, daughter of Duke Abbott, whose family specialised in earth magic, with brown hair and fiery amber eyes, skin that had been kissed by the sun and a laugh that came from her belly. Next to her was Rubia, daughter of Duke Bradford whose family was filled with scholars and air magic, who had almost white hair and red-brown eyes, she had a sharp gaze but a soft personality. Then came Tina, daughter of Marquess Purcell, who had already mastered water magic at the age of 12, with hair so dark it was blue but eyes that looked transparent, she was boisterous and out-spoken but meant well. On the other side of Lilly sat Ericka, daughter of Earl Leyton, who had yellow blonde hair, and blue eyes, was an open book and lived life with a full heart. Her family was one of warriors, each more muscled than the last, and she was already training to become a knight for the Royal family. 

Daphne stared curiously at Audrey before asking "Princess Audrey, what led you to having tea with us today? No one has ever seen you or heard from you, so we were all shocked to hear you were having tea with Lilly."

Audrey thought for a second before responding. "Well, I think it's about time I stopped waiting for someone else to help me with social activities and the rest. I'm sure you girls have some idea of my status within my family, and I don't want to be reliant on anyone but myself. I had to start somewhere, right?" Audrey felt her chest tight with nervousness, she was being as honest as she could without revealing any real information. 

Ericka nodded, in deep agreement. "Well, I absolutely agree with that sentiment. In my family, the women don't rely on the men at all, which is completely unorthodox in society, but that's why my mother is Earl Leyton while my father is the accountant she fell in love with. She's always taught me that relying on anyone other than myself - and her - is not an option."

"Of course, your mother said that, she's the thirtieth woman in your family to have that title. Unfortunately, such a thing has never happened for any other family, not even our Queen is the ruler of the Kingdom even though she should have that right. No matter how capable any other woman in the country proves herself to be, she'll never have more rights than a man." Tina shot back with a sigh. The girls nodded and sipped their tea, each deep in thought. 

Lilly cleared her throat for a second before saying, "Well, my mother and father told me I'd be the next Viscount Bergmont. Unless I prove to be a major disappointment, then mother will be forced to give birth again." The girls giggled at her last sentence while Lilly blushed slightly.

"The throne would never go to me." Audrey thoughtfully shared, "I have two brothers and now they've found my sister. I would always be last in line, but even if that weren't the case, they'd find someone to adopt before considering me. I'm going to pave my own way, I refuse to become a forgotten afterthought." she declared, and the girls found themselves swayed by her words. 

"No one could ever forget you, Princess Audrey." Rubia touched her hand and smiled warmly. Daphne did the same, as did all the girls on the table. They formed a friendship that day, one that would last beyond their lifetimes. 

After the moment passed, Daphne raised her eyebrows and locked eyes with Audrey. "So, the rumours are true, the lost princess has returned. What's she like?" 

"She's beautiful, kind, warm and powerful," Audrey replied without hesitation. "She's like the sun, she's brought light back into the family. We've been stuck in a storm, but the clouds have parted now." 

"You speak of her so highly. She must be brilliant." Lilly chimed in, unable to look away from Audrey as she spoke of her sister with such passion. 

Tina, unable to stop the words from leaving her mouth, asked "But has her, uhh, re-introduction to the palace meant a nicer life for you? I don't think you'd be here, talking about freedom, if things were better." Audrey stared at her tea, unable to answer.

Daphne glared at Tina and turned to Audrey. "Well, at least you have a sister now. Sisters are the greatest blessings anyone can have, I have four older sisters, and I hate them to bits but I would die for all of them." Audrey grinned at her.

"I hope I get to know her better, but she lives in the Diamond Palace with my family while I'm in the Daisy Palace, and the Queen will never allow her to visit again. So, unless I go to that palace, I doubt I'd get the opportunity to interact with her." The girls shared a look as they saw how miserable Audrey sounded.

"Well, why don't we invite both of you, as well as some older ladies, to a tea party in a fortnight? We could invite some young men too, maybe some knights in training, and it can be at my home." Announced Rubia, her eyes glinting with excitement. "Wouldn't it be marvellous?"

"Oh yes, that sounds perfect!" Daphne agreed and the other girls nodded vehemently. "I love a good social gathering. I'll have my sisters help with the guest list, we'll hold at the same time and day as today, Thursday, midday, in two weeks." 

Audrey couldn't help but feel some excitement, she would see her sister again very soon. Not only that, there was a good chance she would get to meet Edmund as well. Her heart felt like it was blooming with joy for the first time in a long time.