Avyanna's Pov
We all bow our heads in the presence of the King and Queen. The Princes have also been announced and went on stage.
The party started with a dance.
"France, I need to go." I don't want to dance today." I excused myself to France and then I hid myself carefully for the male leads not to find me.
I went to the balcony and successfully escaped the banquet. The moon is beautiful. It is big and blue. I feel like I'm in a dream.
"Lady Brooke."
I turned my head and saw the person I was waiting to see. Her cold eyes stared right through me, and it gave me chills.
"Lady Royal." I bend and bow to her in respect. "We met again."
"I will be cutting to the chase. Did you deliver this to my state?" She asked in a cold voice, holding onto the dress she was wearing.
"Yes. Yes I did. " I answered without hesitation.
"What's your purpose for sending this? With a very unpleasant note? " Her voice is calm and cold at the same time. However, I can hear the irritation from it.
I have always been a very good observant.
I chuckled. "I thought about you while looking at the dress. And thought it would suit you and it did."
"Why are you doing this?! I need to know your purpose!" Her voice rose as I could feel the anger coming from every word.
"I have no purpose in sending the dress." I said and walked towards her. "However, if you demand an answer, you might not believe it."
Her eyes were just staring at me in blazing flames.
"What's your answer?" She bravely asked with her narrowed eyes.
I sigh before answering. "Because I admire you, My Lady."
"Admire? Ha! You expect me to believe that when you stole my fiance from me!" She said sarcastically. "I'm not falling for that trick! Not me! If that is how you win people, I'm not like those dumb nobles!"
I let out another sigh. I was hoping that she would be smart enough to believe it and at least act embarrassed like how I called her cute.
"You really looked like a small mouse." I whispered.
"What was that?" She is very angry at this moment. I can't get this close to her.
"Lady Royal, I am explaining because I want closure. I really do admire you. And if you really want, I can ignore Lord Roshan." I said politely.
"Do it! I'm not looking for words!" She turned her back on me.
"Then, Lady, can I invite you for tea?" I asked, hoping that she would agree.
"I have a very busy schedule. I'll be the one to write to you." She answered before walking away and going back inside the banquet.
I felt like I would have to wait a very long time to get invited by her.
3rd Person POV
Yelena exited and returned to the party. She socialized like she was supposed to be doing it.
"My lady, your dress is truly beautiful."
Yelena smiled at the Marchioness Silvia Storm. The Storm family is famous because of their diamond mining business.
They are truly wealthy, and if she could persuade them to back her for the throne, she would be greatly favored.
She clenched her jaw because she didn't know what to answer.
"If I lie here, it can ruin my reputation." I have no choice but to tell them the truth. Even if I admit that my greatest rival is the one who gave it..."
"Wait... doesn't it mean I will be some saintess who forgives their rival because of a gift? And this is a chance to increase more influence."
"Ehem.. It was a gift." She answered with confidence.
"A gift?"
The ladies were even more confused because of Yelena's answer. It attracted them to gossip even more.
"Yes."
"Woah."
"Is it from the Marquis?"
"An admirer?"
"So jealous."
"Ah, n-no. It's not from an admirer. " She desperately declined.
"Really?"
"Yes," She truthfully answered. "Uhm, the person who gave it is a lady."
"A lady? From which family?"
"The dress is so beautiful. It's probably not from an ordinary family."
"Hmm.. I would like to meet her, My Lady. Is that possible? " The Marchioness said it again with a smile.
Yelena gave an unsatisfying and forced smile before answering.
"Of course, Lady Storm. I will arrange a tea party in three days, and I would like to invite all of you." She said delightfully.
"Woah! We'll be waiting for the invitation, Lady Royal." The ladies said
The topic changed naturally.
"I don't seem to see the lady from the Brooke family."
"Indeed, I saw the Princes and the Duke conversing with other nobles and I didn't see them lurking around that shameless Lady. "
"It isn't the gentleman lurking with her. It's her who seduces them. "
That's a tough rumor. Well, it doesn't matter to me.
"I will excuse myself for a moment, ladies."
"Ah, of course, Lady Royal."
After excusing herself, Yelena wore her displeasing face and headed to the balcony where she last saw Avyanna, thinking the lady was still there.
"My apologies." It was Avyanna, she's probably hearing.
Yelena immediately stopped walking and stood on the side of the door to hear the conversation clearly. It might be called eavesdropping.
"Is that really your decision?"
She flinched upon hearing the other person's voice.
"I'm sorry again for giving you hope. It was immature of me to do that." Avyanna's voice was unhappy, but it was pure sincerity.
"I don't plan on giving you any hope. So are the others, but I don't know how to turn down the royalties, so I've got to start on you. I sincerely apologize, My Lord. "
"Hmm..." A faint laugh came from Roshan. "I understand. I'll wish you to come back safely."
"Come back safely? Where is she going?" Yelena thought.
"I thank you for considering." Avyanna smiled widely.
Roshan placed his hand on Avyanna's head and slightly patted it.
"But I would like it if we could at least be companions." Roshan smiled at her.
"Of course."
Yelena, who was looking at the small space of the door,
"You used to pat me gently before too. Why did you become so cold to me all of a sudden?" Yelena was on the verge of crying.
Tears started to form on the sides of her eyes as flashbacks came to her.
"When you grow up, you have to be a great ruler."
"I will!"
.....
"What are you doing over there?"
Yelena flinched in shock and turned her head to where the voice came from.
'Why the hell is this bitch appearing at the wrong moment?'