Samantha and Xeola were not friends.
Samantha didn't see any merit in provoking the heiress of the oldest duchess and spoke words that pleased the princess.
So, whenever there were any interactions between the two, Xeola was the dominant one.
Xeola wasn't interested in antagonizing anyone without reason, so other than being a little haughty, she didn't show her any disrespect.
Their interactions were as artificial as they were between any two nobles.
Pleasant lies. Fake laughter. Contrived smiles.
But.
There was something between them. Something they never told each other but could sense at a deep level.
The princesses felt, for no apparent reason at all, that they were similar.
It was absurd.
Xeola's standing was way higher. Samantha's talent was acknowledged to be much greater. A bright extrovert who could talk to anyone and a silent introvert who only talked when she had to.
