The First Tea Party (3)
Brush, brush.
Soft golden locks weaved effortlessly through the comb. Lunaria watched her maid in the mirror of her new chambers. Like herself, Abi was from the south. Though, her straight black in a bob cut and round grey eyes were uncommon features in the South. Regardless, it was a face Lunaria had known for a long time.
“This clip seems to match.” Abi smiled, holding up a hair accessory. The teeth of the pin were gilded, pink crystals in the shape of roses arcing across the top. Lunaria compared it to her outfit she had prepared for her tea party. A blush pink gown over white undergarments was in the mirror. Long sleeves flourished at her wrists with wide pleats, and creamy white lace rimmed the skirt. It was one of the few dresses Lunaria had bought with her that could be called lovely.
"I agree," Lunaria responded, smiling gently. As Abi started decorating her hair, Lunaria glanced out the corner of her eye. Standing as still as a statue by the dressing table was Elene, her designated maid from the Benesse Castle. Lunaria couldn't help but feel that her wary eyes were watching her every move.
Uncomfortably, she called out.
"Elene?"
Abi's hand's slowed as Lunaira gently looked over. Elene dipped her head slightly in response.
"Yes, my Lady?"
"Could you please go and check if the kitchen has started preparing what I've asked?"
Earlier that morning, Lunaria had entrusted the menu of her tea party to Elene. There was still a lot she did not know about the North- its customs and traditions and the types of food served in certain situations. She imagined it was not all that different to the rest of the kingdom, but the situation in the north was a little different.
A land which was once constantly under attacks from beasts.
It hasn't been that long since the Great Subjugation. The land might still be infertile. Perhaps wheat and flour is difficult to harvest. Lunaria had thought to herself. That was why- she had left the preparation of the tea party to Elene who was familiar with the North.
Elena watched Lunaria for a second before curtsying. "As you wish, Your Highness." Elene left the room shortly.
Yank!
Lunaria's face scrunched in pain as her head jerked back.
"What do you think you're doing, you sly wench?" Abi glared down at Lunaria, grabbing a fistful of hair.
"Why have you been telling that maid to do everything? Don't you know that's why I'm here?" Irritation sparked in her dark eyes as she shoved Lunaria's head away, golden locks releasing from her grip. Lunaria furrowed her brows, half in pain and half in disappointment. Abi was a skilled maid. In fact, if she wasn't as talented as she was, there was no way she would have made it this far. Yet, Lunaria had been giving more orders to Elene.
"You don't understand. If I get you to do everything, they will become even more suspicious of us." Lunaria looked back at Abi with an unnerved face.
No one trusts me here. Her mind flashed back to her first night at the Castle, her husband's golden eyes piercing into her. She looked away, pursing her lips before speaking again.
"It would be good for you too, Abi. Won't my brother reward you if you did a good job?" Lunaria cringed internally as she spoke, while Abi's cheeks went slightly pink despite her furrowed brows.
"The young lord..." She muttered to herself, her mind wandering. She sighed shortly, disdain returning to her dark gaze.
"Fine." Abi accepted Lunaria's excuses. Then a malicious smirk curled her thin lips. She bent down, picking up a lock of Lunaria's hair between her slender fingers as she whispered.
"But don't forget what we came here to do. You know what will happen if you fail."
***
Rowan walked silently through the corridors. The time was approaching for the Princess Consort's planned tea party where she would informally introduce herself to some of the noble ladies of the North.
Whether the Castle would host a banquet of sorts to officially affirm her status as Princess Consort was yet to be seen. It was something the Prince had not done for any of his previous wives.
This silence is awkward... Asher followed behind Rowan uneasily. The task of guarding the Princess' tea party had suddenly been dropped on his shoulders earlier that day, but he had managed to fix himself up in time. His deep red and charcoal black senior knight's uniform was fresh and ironed, with layers underneath to keep himself warm, and his hair tied up neatly in his usual half-up.
At least I'll be paid extra for this. Asher's resolve hardened a little. It would have been pitiful if he hadn't gotten anything out of it. On top of that...
I finally get to see the Princess.
It would be his first time seeing the Princess in person, since she was mainly in the central wing, while he spent most of his time in the east wing. He had heard from his chatty juniors that the Princess was a gentle person, and her beauty radiated like an angel's-- though he wasn't sure how a person's beauty spoke for their character. Rather, the maids were much more useful when it came to gleaning information.
'His Highness still hasn't visited her.'
'After all, do you think she'll end up like the others...' They whispered quietly and cautiously.
So was the case. As expected, things were precarious in the castle. The North was a place where outsiders couldn't be trusted. That was Prince Lucien's judgment. Until the Prince made a decision, the rest of the castle could do nothing but act as normal.
Soon enough, Asher reached the central wing of the Benesse Castle. On the ground floor of the place were servant's quarters, kitchen and dining rooms and a few reception rooms. On the second floor, where Asher stood, were where the Crown Prince and Princess' rooms were located, as well as the aides and heads of serving staff. Above was a floor of empty chambers for guests and other various rooms. For a castle that had once been a fortress, the interior was much more luxurious. In particular, the Princess' room was closer to a chamber found in the Imperial Palace in the Capital. Though the grey-ish walls and dark wood trimmings still held a little of its history, in an almost unifying way.
Dok, dok.
"My Lady, it's Sir Rowan."
Asher glanced around Rowan's shoulders to see the opening doors. To his surprise, an unfamiliar face, like a little black cat, opened the doors.
Oh... That must be her Highness' personal maid from the South. Asher concluded. Dark hair was uncommon in the South, but it seemed the Princess' maid was somewhat of an exception.
"The Princess...?" Rowan spoke in his usual quiet voice, bending down slightly to ask the new maid if the princess was ready to be escorted. The girl nodded, turning around and looking into the room. Asher's attention piqued, his duties for the afternoon finally beginning. From now on, he would have to keep his wits about him.
Then a soft voice reached his ears before could see the owner.
"Ah, are my escorts here?"
The Princess, dressed like a precious doll, stepped out. Asher understood now, why all the young boys were so giddy when describing the Princess. 'Beauty like a peony' was an understatement.
The Princess was closer to a spring's flower field under fluffy white clouds, flooded with sunlight.
Her rosy eyes flickered to Asher, their gazes meeting.
*
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