Third P.O.V
Days passed after the family has moved into the new house. The twins slowly got used to their new life in the huge home. Now the brothers are preparing for the tea party that will be held to reintroduce Violet into the royal society. Michael's party will come at a later date as instructed by their father in a letter that made John's frown deepen.
It was unfair that the father now had control over the matter regarding the twins. The party was supposed to be only compromised by young ladies, just so Violet can have friends. Now they have to organize a damn tea party for all girls? John could only shake his head. There was no one to accompany and introduce Violet.
Mothers do that. Not us brothers.
John thought to himself feeling his chest ache at the sight of Violet alone while other daughters would be with their mothers at the party. She might be ridiculed or bullied. Even worse, this event may cause a bad memory making her shy away from future occasions.
Tristan entered John's new office which was significantly more bigger and intricate than the previous one. The only thing that he brought with him is our family painting, now located at the top of the fireplace.
"What seems to be the problem?", he asked the older brother while tying his dark blonde hair up in a bun.
"This tea party. It might be bigger than expected.", John replied showing and handing in their father's letter to Tristan.
"I am happy that you have finally decided to give our people a chance and let them meet your baby siblings once more. I understand that the previous-.. yada yada yada.. - tea party would include all the prestigious ladies of our kingdom... - this is my direct order to you as an emperor??!! The fuck?!"
John grunted in response, receiving a cocktail glass full of whiskey neat from his attendant which he downed in one swig. It was a difficult request to ignore and their future would be at stake if he did not give in to the father's demand. The morning sky filled the entire room illuminating all of the pictures that are placed atop his desk. Eight picture frames, each frame has a picture of his siblings and one of his father.
He loved his family deeply and he would give nothing to protect all of them. But this time he felt aggravated at his father's request. He loved the man but there are times where he just wanted to kill the old oaf.
"We'll do it.", John could only sigh deeply signing the contracts for the party.
Tristan shook his head. "Alright big brother. But I will be on the watch the whooole party! I have to prepare the things I need.", he threw the letter in the air whilst running out the door in a hurried manner.
Violet's P.O.V
"I'm tired.", I whispered to myself seeing 10 more frilly dresses that I need to fit into. My nannies have been all over the place the whole week preparing for the small tea party for me to meet some friends. I never have the time to play outside or explore anymore.
The thought of being busy for the next few days made me frown. "What's wrong your highness?", Nanny Hattie asked making some braids on my hair and putting it up into a side ponytail with a white flower. "How much longer will I need to do all this? I wanna plaaaaaay."
This earned a chuckle from the two other maids who have their faces covered with a white cloth and a stern look from my other nanny. "Princess it is a must to display and decorate yourself to show your standing as the princess of our kingdom.", Nanny Nattie stated pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. Making me pout more.
Nanny Hattie smiled warmly placing small hairpins with a pearl on its end into some of the braids on my hair. "It is true. We must show the other young ladies how beautiful and grand our princess can be."
Nanny Hattie hummed as she continued to decorate my black hair. I smiled feeling warmth enveloping me. It was the first time I was with a lot of girls. They were comfortable to be with and you can tell that their smiles were genuine, even if Nanny Nattie rarely does. Although two of my maids do have white silks covering their face up to their chins. You can hear and see the pureness of their souls in their voices. If that would even make any sense.
A knock on the door captured everyone's attention. "Come in.", I hollered at the faraway door. A tall attendant came in and bowed. "A visitor has come to meet the princess."
"I never get visitors.", I smiled looking up at both of my nannies who became frantic at the news and hurried to fix my attire to greet the guest.
Both maids helped me wear my black doll shoes and fixed the hem of my frilly gray dress. Nanny Hattie placed the final pin on my hair admiring her work at the mirror with a proud smile plastered on her wise old face. On the other hand, Nanny Nattie kept on explaining how I should be polite and the manners a princess must show.
Once finished I stood up from my vanity chair and faced all of my attendants, smiling wide. "Our princess looks so beautiful.", uttered one of the maids. "Thank you everyone.", I smiled wider then slowly walked out of the room and was led by the attendant to the parlor room.
The attendant knocked and slowly opened the door revealing an elderly lady sitting across the room by the open window, wearing what looked like a 19th-century black dress. She looked like she came out from my old picture book showing tons of pictures of the 18th and 19th centuries. A green bodice paired with a black skirt that trains ever so slightly onto the floor. Once I stepped inside, the old lady stood up from her chair and bowed really low.
I responded with a bow myself and walked up to where she stood. She gave me a happy smile paired up with teary eyes, which made me tilt my head to the side. "What's wrong? Are you okay?", I moved closer to hold her hand giving a small hanky from inside my pocket.
"It's nothing, your majesty. I am just happy to finally see you again. I do apologize for my sudden burst of emotions.", I led her to sit back down on her chair. Taking a seat adjacent to the old lady, I noticed her soft facial features do not match the hidden tenacity embedded in her green eyes. She carried herself with flair and power even as she sat silently with a smile staring back at me.
I blushed, noticing that I have been staring too much. "I'm sorry, you are the first lady I have seen after my two old nannies.", to which she chuckled with delight.
"Your highness.", she stated in a gentle manner but her eyes looked upon me with a strict demeanor which made me sit up straight on my seat. "You must never apologize for such trivial things. You are the princess, and we are your people. Assessing a person seated on the other side of the table and analyzing their movements is a must to understand whether the person faced should be trusted or not."
Nodding at her statement I couldn't help but stare at her again. Her emerald eyes that have grown wise did not back down against my gaze making me smile wide. The elderly woman chuckles breaking our stare down. "You haven't changed your highness. Still as bold as ever," she whispered softly.
I felt a chill run up my spine looking back to see Nanny Nattie giving me a stern look. I haven't done proper introductions yet.
I stood back up to make a small curtsy "My name is Violetta Amaris De Jauquis."
"And I am your humble servant, Beryyle Emme Sirocco.", we both sat down and began to enjoy the afternoon tea. I had warm milk tea while Beryyle had Herbal tea as she called it. On the side, we were served with finger sandwiches and some princess cakes.
I drooled over the cakes but remembered that I must keep my "composure", remembering Nanny Natties teachings, still feeling her stares at my back. Beryyle chuckled placing two vanilla white princess cakes in front of me. "It's alright. She can eat and relax as much as she wants.", my nanny bowed.
"Yes, your ladyship.", relaxing at the corner, nanny then proceeded to instruct the attendants to place several tableware at the nearby long silver glass table. After finishing our tea and snacks accompanied by stories. Beryyle led me to the long table and sat me down at the head. "My lady, I am to be your instructor and etiquette teacher."
"Whaaaaaat?", I pouted knowing that this meant that I have lesser time to play. Beryyle explained that aristocrats and different ladies from nobility will be at the tea party, reasoning with me that I have a lot to learn.
Letting out a sigh I just nodded and listened to her lecture about the proper placement, usage, and meanings of the different utensils in front of me.
At the end of the lesson, Beryyle smiled warmly giving me a princess cake as a reward for listening attentively and following through.
"You are a fast learner, your highness, you will be in tip-top shape by the time of the tea party.", replying with a somber nod and fork of cake in my mouth. "What's wrong?"
I looked up at her greying eyes. "I wanted you to be my friend. Not my teacher."
This made Beryyle smile wide. "We are friends, always have been and always will be your majesty.", she stood by my side slowly taking my left hand and bowing.
Strange, why do people keep on talking like they've known me for so long?
So very strange indeed.