Emberlain.
Compared to the struggles and hurdles Vivia had braced herself for allowing Melissa's visit to the palace, the outcome turned out to be a bed of roses - all thanks to Regina Emberlain. Considering how her family was scorned so heavily, she hadn't expected for Rosrell to cave in so readily.
All hail to Queen Regina!
Erissa, however, was deeply concerned. "My lady can wait inside. I'll escort Lady Melissa in once she's here."
"I'm fine. I want to welcome her personally."
"I-It's just that Lady Melissa and her family's reputation…A princess waiting for a lady of that standing doesn't reflect well. Rumors can spread."
"That I might like her?" She raised her brow. "What does it matter? As long as she doesn't do anything to hurt me, she's not my enemy - certainly not because of some dusty, old history."
The sound of the carriage wheels scraped against the dirt-grit ground just then. A minute later, the horses halted with an audible neigh.
The coachman hurried down and promptly opened the door. A woman stepped out with careful, ginger steps. A nearly dark, sheer veil hung from her face, nose downward, masking her beautiful features. Compared to Judith, Sierra or Priscilla, Melissa's dress was far from the fine, noble handiwork expected for a lady to wear - especially of her status. On the contrary, Vivia felt the undertones were quite somber and gloomy.
She stepped forward and greeted her with a pleasant smile. "Welcome, Lady Melissa. Thank you for coming here on such short notice."
Melissa's watchful eyes studied her in silence.
"Is something the matter?" she blinked.
"Are you doing that mind-reading thing again!?" A zesty voice came out loud.
Stunned, Vivia saw another woman jump out of the carriage - far from elegance and without so much as even a grain of salt worth worrying about the mess she would make of her hair and dress. Judith's boisterous laughter filled the quiet gaps in the air as she wrapped her arm around Melissa's neck.
Wh..What is Judith doing here! The invitation was only sent to Melissa's family!
"Greetings, princess," Judith smiled. "How is your red-haired friend? Still on the run? Her legs must've gotten so exhausted by now, don't they?"
Yes, I was right - We'll probably not get along, Vivia concluded with a headache.
Quite conflicted about Judith's presence, Vivia had only hoped for a quiet, peaceful time with Melissa. Nevertheless, she forced signature princess-like smile.
"The threat to one's life can be a very powerful motivation, Lady Judith."
"Clearly for you, though, the threat to your life is quite skewed who'd wield her blade to protect her attacker instead~"
Vivia controlled her urge to twitch her eyebrow.
"Please release Lady Melissa, Lady Judith. You're suffocating her."
By then Sierra arrived as well, unamused with Judith's not-so-ladylike behavior.
Vivia gauged that Melissa, in fact, didn't appear to be suffering under her grip at all - her expression was that deadpan and blank. Nowhere even a single trace of discomfort marred her face.
"Do you want my arms around you then?" Judith's eyes twinkled. "Or maybe…around your husband."
Sierra returned an equally deadpan look. "Can you speak with more refined humor, Lady Judith?"
"Unrefined is what I am," she shrugged.
Eventually, Judith loosened her hold over her. Melissa looked up at the sky with a slow tilt to her head.
"It might rain," she whispered, her voice almost inaudible to her own ears.
Nevertheless, Sierra understood her words. "It does feel a little chilly. Anyway, Lady Judith, why are you with Lady Melissa?"
"How could I possibly miss the trip to the royal palace where my dearest Elvin is? Melissa was very kind to allow me share her carriage~"
Allowed or you forced your way in? Vivia questioned.
Amidst Judith's provoking remarks, Vivia quietly applauded Sierra's patience. If it was her, there would have been a verbal bloodbath.
Once inside, they were greeted with tea, cakes and snacks. Vivia smiled. "Hope you enjoy it."
Sierra said, "Please continue your discussion. I'll take my leave."
Judith waved her hand in dismissal. "Let's all sit together and hear what the princess has to say. Aren't you curious?"
Vivia suppressed a grimace. She had wanted some privacy with Melissa, but Judith barged in like it was her own home.
"Let's begin with how the princess planned with that red-haired woman to use Melissa's identity to attend the tea-party."
Vivia choked.
I completely forgot about that!
She threw silent daggers at Judith. The memories now settled fresh in everyone's minds.
Melissa lifted her eyes, her gaze fixed at hers.
Ugh…she's definitely furious, isn't she?
"...I won't do that again."
Considering the circumstances, that was the best response she could offer. Impersonating someone - from the Great Three no less - was a severe offense. Vivia felt lucky she was reincarnated as the princess for most of her crimes to be looked past.
Judith tilted her head. "It must feel nice being born a princess, doesn't it? Your offenses are easily waved off, but here is one family dealing with the repercussions of some long forgotten mistake that happened five hundred years ago. That the women of this family have to hide their pretty faces with a veil out of shame and embarrassment."
A tense silence brewed.
Vivia glanced at Melissa. Her heart raced. All this time, she has been racking her brain on how she would broach the subject of her ancestor.
"Your ancestor," she said softly, "Can you please tell me more about her?"
Vivia had expected a disturbed reaction or a flinch at the very least, yet Melissa remained quite unperturbed, as if the mention of that distant ancestor didn't faze her even the slightest.
A furious palm then came down hard upon the wooden table, sending the plates full of snacks nearly airborne. It were Judith's eyes, though, which thoroughly exuded open hostility.
"Aren't you quite a nasty one to reopen some dreadful memories right here in this very palace? The mere mention of that ancestor is a sin. Do you want Melissa to be hanged to death?"
"No. I've no intention to harm Lady Melissa."
Her eyes narrowed.
Vivia remained poised and held her gaze steady. "As you may know, I've returned to the Covenant to complete my studies. I know you hate how Lady Melissa's family is treated. That's precisely why I want to understand her because I don't want anyone else to suffer the same fate. That dark and painful history should never be allowed to repeat."