"That was a rude question, Lady Mars." The Empress remarked. "You should be careful next time."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Then the Empress asked Ashley, "Are you alright?"
"Thank you for worrying about me, but I'm fine, Your Majesty."
The Empress smiled as she nodded, and then the room doors opened and revealed the late lady of the party with her mother. The ladies looked at Marianne, dressed beautifully in her blue dress. Marianne stood there as she tried to find someone, and when she saw Ashley, she walked towards her.
"We sincerely apologise for being late, Your Majesty." Countess Lottway said as she curtsied to the Empress. "We had encountered a problem along the way. Thus we got late coming here."
"That's my seat," Marianne said to Ashley.
Ashley looked up at her and said, "Oh, but-"
"The one right here is empty, Marianne. You can sit here." The Empress said.
