The girl who stepped into the ballroom was very different from me. She had pale skin and reddish brown hair that was styled into meticulous curls. Her dress was very much the kind I hated, with ribbons and frills layered onto large, no doubt heavy skirts. It suited her, though. She looked like an expensive doll. She walked down the stairs without assistance, but a Royal Knight and several Ladies in Waiting followed close behind. As she came closer, I could make out the freckles on her round cheeks and the inky black of her eyes.
So, this was my little sister. Yet another of the original Theo's enemies. In the novels, Clara Albrecht was a larger than life villainess who took great pleasure in tormenting her poor, sheltered sister. Looking at her now, though, I somehow found that hard to believe.
Still, she had crashed my party. Such rudeness could not be overlooked. Especially not with so many potential allies watching on.
"Strange." I spoke as if to myself, but my voice carried in the pin drop silence. "I don't remember having an older sister."
Clara seemed to notice me for the first time. Her black eyes widened and a blush rose in her cheeks. Her painted lips pursed angrily. She looked…
So cute!
Aiyah~, she was so adorable! I wanted to pinch her cheeks and coo over her. I doubted she would appreciate the gesture, though.
Clara's dark eyes looked me up and down and I could clearly see the instant she realized who I was. It was hard not to, really. Only the Royal Family could wear black and gold in Acan, and, even if I wore something different, I had my father's face. Allegedly.
I could feel the weight of a hundred eyes on me. This was my first interaction with another member of the Royal Family. Everyone here would decide whether or not to support me based on this conversation. As much as I would prefer not to cause unnecessary strife between us, my sister chose an unfortunate time to crash a party.
I stepped forward, letting go of Freddy as I approached Clara. I towered head and shoulders over her. How old was she, again? I was twenty, now, but I had no idea how many years younger than me she was supposed to be. Oh, well. I would just have to be gentle.
"I don't know whose idea it was to call yourself the First Princess," I began with a sweeping glance at her entourage. I brought my hand up to my mouth and furrowed my brows as if concerned. "But I strongly suggest removing them from your circle. No doubt, they have been eagerly waiting for this exact situation."
There. That should work, right? I called her out for using my title but gave her an out by placing the blame on someone else. From an outside perspective, I should—hopefully—look like a worried sister.
Clara's face became increasingly flushed. Before she could say anything, I turned away, walking back to Freddy's side.
"I confess," I said over my shoulder, eyes downcast and voice just sad enough to garner sympathy. "I didn't expect anyone from the palace to attend. Thank you, Clara. This is turning out to be a very special birthday, indeed." With that, I drove yet another wedge between me and the Royal Family. No one from the palace came to the First Princess' Coming of Age? That would surely keep the gossips fat and happy.
I looked back at her and winced internally at the tears gathering in her eyes. I didn't enjoy stepping all over her like this, but I had little choice. Technically, I hadn't said anything too terrible, but the way I was saying it…
Well, I would enter the palace, soon. There would be time to smooth things over, there. Hopefully. I didn't want to hurt such a cute little girl if I could help it.
Unfortunately, it looked like I already had. Clara's black eyes were rimmed with red as she looked at me through her lashes. "I see." Her voice was tight and spoke of unshed tears. "Happy birthday, sister. I will keep your words in mind." Truth.
Huh. I wasn't sure how to feel about that.
I smiled at her, hoping to maybe smooth things over, but my face was still stiff. "Thank you, Clara."
She flinched. Her Ladies in Waiting glared at me from behind her, but they quickly lowered their eyes when I looked at them. Great. More enemies.
"I hope you enjoy yourself." It was a gentle dismissal, but a dismissal all the same. I didn't have time to deal with my sister, right now. I didn't pull all those strings to have my Coming of Age just to ignore the gathered guests. Especially not when they were actually invited.
I reached out for Freddy and he took my hand in his, hiding the way my fingers shook. He was tense as he guided me away from my sister and into the crowd. Ah. He was a member of the Royal Faction. Did my words to Clara make things difficult for him?
Ha. At least something good came of it.
My steps were much lighter as I met with the guests. Most of their names went in one ear and out the other, their faces unremarkable and easily forgotten. I felt a little bad about it, but I couldn't honestly be expected to remember so much at once, right?
Aiyah~, why wasn't I given a list or something? I had no idea who was more important than who, so I just treated them all the same. Although…that might have been the point. Sneaky. It made no real difference, anyway. If anything, it just helped solidify my identity as a sheltered, uneducated princess they could use to their advantage. Of course, it was a different story entirely if my uncle was keeping me ignorant on purpose.
"Ah, Theophania," said uncle interjected. "Let me introduce you to Count and Countess Resden."
Oh! I knew that name. I smiled a little less stiffly at the older man and his wife who came to greet me. The Count was very stern looking and his right hand looked like it was trying to rest on a sword that wasn't there. The Countess looked almost timid beside her husband, with mousey brown hair and a vapid smile.
"Hello," I placed my hand on my chest and bowed as a priestess would, dipping lower than a princess should. "I never thought I would get to see your faces, dear Benefactors. Thank you, for your generous donations to the monastery over the years."
The Countess's expression became suddenly animated. Ah. So she was also letting the party pass by in a daze. I watched as she caught up with what I said and gave me a motherly smile.
"Oh, my! We didn't do that to earn your thanks, Your Highness." Truth.
"I know. That's why I'm giving it to you."
She stammered, unsure how to respond to my blunt words. Her husband laughed.
"How refreshing," he said with a wide grin that made me feel oddly like a rabbit before a hawk. "I never thought one of his children would reward merit so freely."
That was an insult to my father, right? This Count just insulted the King.
"Oh, but how could I forget you, my lord? The paladins always had so much to say after your visits." Mainly complaints, but he didn't need to know that. Even Ser Valerian had a hard time not complaining about the Count's…robust training style. "Thank you for taking the time to aid them in their cultivation."
He cleared his throat and scratched at the back of his neck. This couple was very open and honest, unlike many of the others I'd met so far. I didn't even need my stigmata. It was no wonder he got along so well with Ser Valerian.
"Well, of course!" He cleared his throat and managed to speak through his embarrassment. "They need to be ready for the fight against the Demon King."
Aiyah~! Count Resden, you're my favorite person.
I clasped my hands in front of my chest, furrowing my brows and pursing my lips as I looked only slightly up at the Count. "Thank you! I feel so much better, knowing someone cares."
That's right. I was a princess in this country, but to the world I was the one and only Saintess of my generation. That was what mattered. That was the rank these people wanted to use me for.
And the one that would let me use them.
Conversation became much easier after that. I knew much more about the religious tenets of Alítheia than noble etiquette and listening to me preach made people visibly uncomfortable. If I took a little pleasure in watching them squirm, well, they'd done the same to me.
I didn't notice when Clara left. She did not approach me and I honestly forgot she was there. Only when I was alone in my room in the dark hours of the morning did I take the time to worry about how our meeting would affect my life in the palace.