Avione gained little from her conversation with the Empress. Her mother, being the Empress for 20 years now, have never once used magic during her own reign. Even the battles for territories with other kingdoms, all she showcased was her expertise in the arts of war and swordsmanship.
Her mother did mention about the lake she once dipped in, in the past. Unlike the unusual occurrence of her awakening, where the water just lit up, Avery and current Saintess had clearer results. When her mother touched the waters, the blinding appearance of a white dove covered in golden light appeared on the surface of the water. During the Saintess' turn, a nightingale bathed in the tranquil light of the moon showed itself.
Giving her a vague idea of how the powers and respective positions are decided. Their talk was cut short when an unannounced visit from Duke Idelstein was reported to the Empress.
"Rowena, could you gather some information about the lake located inside the Church of Light?" Amidst the bumpy carriage ride, Avione turned to her trusted maid who was still busy trying to fix her brooch.
Today is the day she plans to meet the daughter of the Idelsteins.
The Amethyst Viewing.
Eyes of noble men and women stayed on the royal carriage that just arrived in front of the gates of the Silvestre manor. Today, the amethyst mines of the Silvestre Ducal family will be showcased only to those who are exclusively invited by Duchess Silvestre. Judging from the extravagant dresses and accessories worn by the ladies present inside, one would be able to tell who belongs to the higher class of society.
The higher class, however, is divided into two opposing factions. Lead by the Ducal family of Idelstein, the Imperial faction is one who supports the crown and are in favor of keeping the Imperial family in power, they are also the one who provides support for the crown princess. The Noble faction other one on the other hand wants their own representatives in the royal courts given their own titles and positions in the Empire. They are currently led by Duke and Duchess Silvestre who are one of the wealthiest and powerful families in Helione.
Honestly, Avione had felt uncomfortable of how her own paternal side are the ones leading an opposition against the Imperial family, however being in a disadvantageous position, she had no voice in the matter. A sigh left her mouth as she watched an imperial guard scurry in front of her carriage doors.
Her crowning ceremony is still weeks away but instead of waiting her proper debut to society, Avione must act first in order to avoid her well-planned death in the future. Her throat began to feel dry as the guard opened the doors for her. Unlike the feeling of confidence, she felt when she headed to Beau de Montoire, immense pressure is now suddenly on her.
"Milady, we can go home early if you'd like." a warm squeeze on the hand and a smile from her maid, Rowena, gave an unexpected comfort for her at the time. "Let's go, milady?" says her maid, extending her hand out for the princess to take.
The princess nodded in reply before taking the older female's hand and getting out of the carriage.
"The one and only star of the empire, Princess Avione Silvaine Aurron has arrived!"
With eyes like daggers thrown the second she was outside and gazes that followed her as she took a step closer to the garden hall, Avione felt very comforted by the presence of Rowena walking just two steps behind her.
Avione is wearing the purple dress she liked very much with golden shoes. Her long green hair braided to the side with a circlet tiara decorated by a purple moonstone rested on top of her head pairing perfectly with her jewelry. The lively party slowly died down, their attention solely on the princess herself.
Her eyes scanned the room and found a group of young ladies seemingly in her age and walked towards them. As she walked through the latched stares, her ears slowly caught of their audible whispers and she did not like what she was hearing at all, still, Avione kept a straight face.
'Was that her?'
'The cursed child?'
'Don't talk that way, she's still our princess. Watch your words!'
'But it's true, she caused the 3rd prince consort's death didn't sh—'
Enduring the weight of their words, Avione smiled curtly and approached them. Seeing the blood drain from their faces and the large lumps they swallowed one by one brought Avione satisfaction beyond compare. However, she is hated and disliked by these nobles, her position as the empire's only heir to both the throne and the church is significantly higher than theirs. In fact, if she willed it so, she could have them beheaded with their heads hanging on the palace front.
'Restrain yourself. What you need now are allies, not enemies.' says Avione trying to keep her emotions in check.
"Greetings to the one and only star of the Empire, I, Count Lastra humble myself in front of your Highness." said the man in his late 40's who had an uneasy expression she could easily read. "This is my wife, Countess Lastra and our daughter Abigail Lastra."
Even his daughter and wife who had been the ones gossiping about her, trembled behind the man of the house. "Greetings to the star of the empire. It is an honor to be in your presence."
The smile on her face quickly vanished, as she whispered, only audible for the three to hear"It's the first time I have attended this party however, I believe I have seen you couple times in the palace. Isn't that right, Count Lastra?" she mentions, "Pleading the Empress not to take away another piece of your land to pay for your debts?"
"H-How did you..." As if the world collapsed on his shoulders, Francis Lastra's face dimmed. He hadn't been telling anyone aside his wife about the bankruptcy their family business is facing.
"I suggest you better watch whatever words come out of your mouth; you know best that death comes from insulting the Imperial family." Avione smiled sweetly, gaining whispers again from around, curious what exactly they were talking about.
Not wanting to embarrass himself in the heart of high society, Count Lastra cleared his throat and tried his best to maintain a smiling face. "I apologize, it wasn't my intention to insult your Highness. I will be careful in the future."
"It's such a pleasure to be able to finally meet you in person, Count and Countess Lastra. I hope it wouldn't be a burden if I invite your daughter for tea at the Moon Palace."
Avione felt the muscles near her heart relaxed, finally relieved that her first argument with another noble turned out to be successful. If it was the previous her, she would just hang her head low and never stand up for herself. Regaining her composure, the princess proceeded to walk towards the table of the same ladies she had seen before during her last visit at the Beau de Montoire.
To be honest, she knew their identities however their existence is still useless until Margaret's debut as a part of the Imperial family. The daughters of nobles who had connived with her sister, setting up perfectly orchestrated accidents that would get pinned on her because of her presence during the time it occurred.
They also testified against her in the court of being witnesses of how she treated Margaret badly and even seen her do those evil deeds themselves. 'Poor little souls.' she thought. Avione knew that all of those actions they took were all but a favor for their beloved friend. Margaret brain washed these ladies into taking her side as the poor and innocent girl who is constantly hated by her elder sister because of her origin.
'If I could have them on my side, Margaret's plans would eventually collapse without them shouldering it.' Avione coughed, "I'm sorry if I'm being rude but there are no empty tables elsewhere and I have seen that you have one empty space in yours. Would you mind if I take it?" the princess asked, ever so gently, gaining the eyes of everyone gathered on the table.
One of the ladies with rust colored hair and eyes in pretty shade of brown stood up, "I apologize but I have never seen you before, which family do you belong to? Are you from the neighboring empire?" she asked, interested about the pretty lady she never saw before.
Erica Miller, the daughter of a baron who recently made a contract with the Silvestre family. From her social status only, it wouldn't have been possible if not for her father's close relations with the Silvestre's. She's one of those who defended Margaret during social gatherings like this one. From how she just approached her, Avione knew it would be easy gaining this lady's favor.
"I am—" An attempt she made to introduce herself as the empire's star was abruptly cut off by a woman's voice. A woman seemingly in her late fifties arrived, expensive hair ornaments adorning her already beautiful silver locks.
Duchess Gisella Silvestre. The wife of the 3rd master of the Dukedom. Her grandmother on her paternal side.
"Your highness! Why are you here? I mean, I-I never expected you to attend this year's amethyst viewing."
"It's been years since I have visited both grandmother and grandfather, I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity." A lie. Avione didn't want to be involved with them; her main goal was the people attending the event the Duchess was hosting.
"I suppose you're right, your Highness."
"Please just call me Avione, I am still your grandchild." Avione said, chuckling.
The Duchess' loud voice certainly didn't escape anyone's ears. Especially Erica and the other ladies who squirmed in their seat before deciding to stand up and ask the Duchess herself.
Charlotte Moretti, the eldest daughter of Viscount Moretti was the one to question. "Lady Silvestre, pardon me for asking but we would like to know what is it you meant when you referred to this lady right her as your highness?"
Avione smiles, awaiting her grandmother to finally introduce her to these ladies who doesn't seem to have any idea of who she is. "She is the one and only star of our great empire. The daughter of our beloved Empress and the heir to the throne. Princess Avione Silvaine Aurron."
"I apologize, it is not my intention to hide my identity. I haven't had the chance to introduce myself earlier." says the princess, "I am grateful for my dear grandmother for doing it for me. Hosting the event is a tiring task, I will be joining these wonderful ladies so don't worry about me in the least."
A nod and curtsy came from the already uncomfortable Duchess before she left to accommodate the other guests arriving.
Disbelief.
In a few seconds, the four ladies along with Charlotte and Erica bowed their heads and offered proper greetings to her.
"Please have a seat, your Highness."
"We apologize for our insolence, your Highness. It is only our first time seeing you in person." says Erica, still embarrassed of her previous actions. "Please allow us to introduce ourselves."
Elegance in her every move, Charlotte carried herself with grace, "I am Charlotte Moretti, your Highness. The eldest daughter of Viscount Moretti." like any typical noble, Charlotte had blonde hair curled and let down on one side of her shoulders. "And this is my sister."
Beside her stood another female with the same hair color but with a smaller stature, "I am Christine Moretti, your Highness. The 2nd daughter of Viscount Moretti." she said. "Please forgive me if I am wrong but are you the lady who visited Beau de Montaire and bought tons of the new dresses?"
"Yes," Avione replied, "I remember seeing you and Lady Erica there too. If it's okay with you, we can go there together."
The eyes of Erica and Christine lit up as if they just earned the favor of the princess. Unlike the commoners who had bad rumors surrounding the princess, the children of the noble families were completely clueless of how she looked like. After what it seemed like a long time of chatting with ladies around the same age of her currently, Avione was deeply thrilled when she heard a certain person's arrival being announced.
"Lady Phiona Idelstein and Lord Phrygrine Idelstein has arrived!"