The grand hall of the Rashet manor swelled with nobles from the wealthiest and most influential families in Tenusa. After all, this was the special anniversary of the Rashet Clan, a very important noble house.
The marquis made an entrance with his eldest daughter, Maryan Rose Rashet with a bright, charming smile. A group of young ladies stood at a distance, their envious but admiring eyes fixed on Maryan in her rare silk gown. One of them was Karina Venche, staring coldly at Maryan. She still hadn't recovered from the incident at the dress shop days ago.
"I heard she's better at music than Mirelle, and she writes beautiful poems. Mother says she volunteered to help at a temple for orphaned children," one lady said.
"No wonder the marquis favors her more than Mirelle. I heard Mirelle's maid was beaten to death," another one said.
Several ladies gasped.
"Really?"
"Aside from the governor.... it turns out she offended a very important person who was visiting the shop that day."
"Oh my..."
They looked at Karina.
"It's not my fault Mirelle is stupid," Karina said harshly. "I was just asking her why the shop was closed that day!"
A chuckle came from behind her.
It was the Prime Minister's daughter, Diona Jana Ilian.
Karina gritted her teeth.
'Of all people, she had to run into this person.'
"Don't worry." Diona laughed. "I agree with you. Mirelle's a fool. But as they say, birds of the same feather flock together. Quite a pair, you two. But you're still so much better than those sisters, for sure. You might just be a baron's daughter, but blood still matters among us."
Then Karina gave a smirk, turned, then walked away, leaving Karina feeling humiliated, her face was red, her hands gripping her dress.
...
WHILE THE CROWD broke into smaller groups—talking, laughing, boisterous—there were three ladies at a corner. Two of them were facing Maryan.
"Lady Rashet, you are so lucky."
The provocative words came from Liona Illian. Beside her stood one of the most important guests of the night: Second Princess Charys Ivy Aurelio who looked at Mirelle like a boring play.
"I mean... not all these poor, orphaned relatives get to be adopted. Especially into a great clan like Rashet," Diona added with a hidden smirk.
Maryan's gaze stayed calm.
"I'm just grateful for Father's generosity, Lady Ilian. I never expected he would go this far for me. I stayed away all this time to avoid causing him trouble," Maryan said.
Her response pricked Diona.
Turning luck into a matter of character?
'This woman has a way with words.'
The Second Princess exhaled, as if she wanted this talk to be over soon. There was a silky paper in her hand, her brows arched as if to prick at Maryan's skin.
"You told me everyone on this guest list would attend," she said with a hint of bitterness in her voice.
"I—I assume, Your Highness," Maryan stammered, but the corner of her eyes stayed calm, calculating. "You simply misunderstood."
"Misunderstood?" Liona frowned. "Lady Rashet, you gave Her Highness a false assurance."
"Rashet banquets are most-sought-after parties," Maryan replied. "I simply said invited guests are expected to come. I didn't mean to—"
"Goodness, that voice irritates me." Charys cut in harshly. "The point is, you told me this particular person would come tonight. And now you're saying you're not sure anymore? Are you mocking me?"
"N—no, not at all, Your Highness—"
"You think your new status makes a difference?" Liona said. "Lying to Her Highness is a criminal offense, Lady Rashet!"
To the shock of the other two, Maryan kneeled before them, then pressed her palm against the floor. "I'm very sorry, Your Highness, for being a disappointment. I swear I didn't lie. I was just being u—unsure—"
She knew the Second Princess wanted to see the Grand Duke, that cold, mysterious man who barely attended events. It was rumored she was in love with him, though it wasn't clear if he returned the feeling.
It didn't matter, though.
This was her plan: making the Second Princess angry.
Meanwhile, Charys stood frozen, feeling trapped, aware that almost everyone now was looking at her.
Soon enough, the scene caused a stir within the hall. It reached the front tables where a group of prestigious men flocked. At the center was a man with a strikingly handsome face. He looked almost ethereal—like a celestial being. His suit only added to his prestige. It was the Third Prince Derrik Zayn Aurelio.
A guard approached him and pointed at a scene at a corner. Then, the Third Prince walked toward the Second Princess's group. He looked at Lady Ilian sharply. Maryan's eyes fell, and she made herself more pitiful.
His sideway gaze signaled the other nobles to stop prying. So most pretended to return to their conversations as if nothing had happened, though a few still glanced at the group. They watched as the Third Prince took Lady Rashet's hand while she rose slowly. The whisper was that the spoiled Second Princess and Lady Ilian were bullying the marquis's daughter.
"You don't know the full story—"
"I know what this is all about," Derrik said sharply, cutting off Charys's words. "You're shamelessly looking for someone."
Charys gripped her dress.
"Brother, you're overthinking."
She turned and walked away.
Liona gritted her teeth at the sight of the prince defending Marian. She stammered through a curtsy and left immediately.
"Your Highness, I'm sorry for causing... a fight between you and the Second Princess. I have some faults too..."
Maryan's voice was softer, almost tearful voice. She hid a triumphant smile while watching the prince's back, his gaze still cold at the retreating figures.
*