Eugenie brought up another important matter that needed Orla's attention, "The first Princess of Blewett is wishing to take over the duty of her mother." Eugenie already had her hands full with her duties so another person will have to take over it.
Alora: "…"
After facing Eleanor at the banquet, Alora wasn't a fool to think Eleanor would treat her fairly. She grimaced faintly as she turned to Orla.
Eleanor used all her courage to keep standing when Orla's eyes fell on her. If she knew Orla was going to be infuriated due to her mother, she wouldn't have dared to put forward such a decision.
Orla questioned shifting her gaze to silently standing third daughter, Charlotte. "What about Charlotte?"
Eugenie wished for Charlotte too, unfortunately, Charlotte wasn't capable of representing the royal Roosevelt family.
Other than educating the princess, Charlotte will have to take the responsibility of hosting tea parties with the nobles to maintain a good connection with the royals and noble ladies. Charlotte's skills weren't enough to manage the responsibility.
Thus Eugenie promptly gave her opinion, "Apparently, Charlotte doesn't have a good social connection with the nobles."
Charlotte lowered her head in shame. Her nails dug into her palm feeling the eyes of the others. She wasn't angry at Eugenie because the latter was accurate.
It was well known that her husband loved his mistress and married Charlotte only for the title. In a loveless marriage, Charlotte had grown a sense of inferiority. That significantly affected her confidence.
Charlotte wasn't good at socializing. She often tends to panic in the crowd, leading to embarrassment. Due to her indecisive nature, she wasn't fit to lead but to follow the orders.
Apart from Charlotte's shortcomings, the Blewetts had more widespread connections than the Hamiltons.
Charlotte always disappointed Orla. Thus everyone's attention shifted to Eleanor who was a social queen. Unfortunately, she was against Alora so she could put the noble ladies against Alora.
However, there was no better person than Eleanor. Helena could be considered as one but her intentions were harder to read. Briana was focused on her training to join the military and Nova was too young for the responsibilities.
"Alright." Orla agreed and she added, "Helena, help your sister with her work." Thus both sisters will be responsible if anything goes wrong.
Alora: "..."
She didn't have a good feeling about this, but she had no choice but to accept.
The two sisters curtsied the queen accepting the new responsibilities on their shoulders.
Once Orla dismissed the court, she paused while passing by Alora, "Mistakes made consciously are not mistakes but deception." Then she walked away.
'Mistake? Deception?' Alora looked at Catherine who hadn't moved from the floor. She had defended Catherine saying she made a mistake. Hearing Orla, Alora discerned the attack on her was intentional.
Alora looked at her mother who wasn't disappointed in her, so she smiled when Eugenie gently held her shoulder while passing by.
"Your Royal Highness." Eugenie and her ladies stopped at the door after hearing Helena.
Helena quickly apologized and put in a request, "If you allow, I would like to take the responsibility for Princess Alora and Princess Freya's etiquette and dance classes."
Her mother won't be in the palace to ground her in chambers so she bravely came forward. She simply didn't want to give Eleanor a chance to create more ruckus in the palace. And she also wished to return the favor to Alora for protecting her mother.
Eugenie controlled her urge to look at Alora but ended up glancing at her. Noticing Alora's vague nod at her, Eugenie agreed.
Soon, Catherine left the palace, and Eleanor gave a detesting look at Helena who was protecting Alora. She went to take over her responsibilities.
Helena proposed as she led Alora towards the practice room, "Princess Alora, I will quickly send an invite to bring the master. Until then, I will teach you the basics of dance."
Alora looked at Helena who was excited instead of sad for her mother. 'Strange.' She thought as she agreed. "No problem." Her mother and father had taught her the basics of dance. So Alora wasn't worried.
Alora looked at her dress that reached her knees. Leg movements are important in dance hence they have to wear a different dress while learning instead of a gown. Since her dress itself was short, "Shall I practice in this dress?"
"Absolutely." Helena had no problem and no intention to trouble Alora.
Recalling the important thing, "Princess Alora, do you have a male partner to practice with?" She gave a thought to who could help Alora patiently without troubling her or making her uncomfortable.
The first person that came to Alora's mind was Zander. But a voice interrupted her thoughts, "Maybe, I could be of some help."
Alora and Helena turned to the prince who overheard them. The thoughts Alora had pushed behind her mind became fresh. Despite wishing to fall in love, she had the urge to know if he had a crescent mark or if he was the boy from her childhood.
Helena's expression stiffened. She couldn't understand how Agost appears wherever Alora needs somebody. She couldn't turn down so she looked at Alora.
If there was indifference in Alora on the first day, Helena could see Alora looking at Agost as though hypnotized. She didn't like this change.
Another male voice broke the silence, "Princess Helena, need any help?" It was Evander who was struggling to keep his eyes off Alora.
Alora flinched when their eyes met. The way Agost and Arihan look at her feels harmless. However, she was uneasy when Evander's eyes wandered on her face from her eyes to her cheeks, lips, and then down her body.
Helena, who knew Evander's intentions, turned him down instantly, "Nope."
Evander clenched his teeth and forced a smile at Alora before leaving.
"I didn't get a response, My princess." Agost's low voice sounded behind her, too close to feel his presence.
'My Princess?' It reminded her of a memory when she saw of a boy. Alora's cheeks turned red when she jerked away, turning around to face Agost.
She wanted to shake her head but ended up nodding without adding any words to the acknowledgment. Unawarely, she reasoned to herself about her behavior, 'Father will be busy.' Other men either wouldn't dare to dance with her or be like Evander.
'General Darwin!?' His thought erased immediately recalling his stoic face uttering, 'No.'
Alora looked at the pleasing smirk on Agost's face and met his hazel eyes. Her heart strangely picked the speed. She quickly broke the silence feeling a bit awkward, "Then I apologize for the trouble."
Agost's alluring voice sounded behind her when they walked, "That's my honor, my princess."
Alora clutched the leaf basket handle tightly, curiosity arousing every second in his presence. Should she ask him about 'My Princess?' Because he only calls her that way.
She also wanted to know if he had visited the Anka fourteen years ago. And the mark? Shaking her head, Alora forced herself to stop thinking.
—–––––––
In the practice room,
It was a practice room for dance, music, and etiquette. Helena went to change her dress with complex thoughts. Alora removed her cape and hung it on the stand.
Agost was about to speak to Alora, Freya entered the hall with a man next to her. He seemed to be noble and his expression distorted at the sight of her.
Freya's expression hardened at the sight of Agost, "What are you doing here?" She left the honorifics and ignored Cyrus who greeted her.
Alora responded as she decided to bring him, "To help me practice."
Agost could understand the animosity of the overprotective little sister but Freya's hot temper was annoying. That shouldn't be the way she speaks with a prince.
Freya couldn't stand Agost. Thus her words came out a bit aggressive to Alora before she could realize it. "Sister Alora, Anka isn't lacking men."
Alora knew that. The problem wasn't the population of men. Against an impolite tone, Alora's calm voice was like a melodious song, "And who would dare to help me?" Even the partner Freya brought couldn't see her in the eyes.
Freya was tongue-tied at Alora's question. Most of the men doubted her, feared her, or lusted her. However, nothing mattered to Agost. He looked at Alora as if he found the treasure. It didn't make Alora uncomfortable but Freya. His every action was questionable to her.
Helena changed and came out when she saw Freya looking daggers at Agost before moving aside. She hesitantly said, feeling the tension in the air, "Let's begin."
The two couples faced Helena, "Usually men ask for a dance in Anka or any nation. However, we are finding ladies showing interest to take the lead to ask the man they love. Anyway, let's focus on the conventional method…"
Helena continued to explain before letting them try. The son of a noble man shifted his one leg behind and offered his hand without asking as it was just practice. Freya accepted as she curtsied. Whereas Agost voiced, "May I have the honor of your first dance with me?"
Alora opened her lips to say that it wasn't her first dance. Her first dance was with Lothar when she knew nothing. He doesn't have to know. She slid her fingers to his palm and curtsied.
Helena exclaimed at the perfect curtsy, "Looks like, Her Royal Highness has trained you."
Alora agreed unhesitantly, "We are learning just to brush up and to avoid anybody pointing at us."
Helena nodded in understanding, yet she continued to guide them thoroughly. At the same time, she couldn't help but notice Agost's efforts to make sure Alora was comfortable and the latter was blushing whenever Agost was saying something to her in a low voice.
To Helena's eyes, their actions were looking intimate. 'What are they speaking?' She strained her ears.
A soft chuckle filled the room when Alora and Agost moved in opposite directions twice.
Freya furrowed watching the two. Unintentionally, She clutched the shoulder of the man who grimaced in pain.
Clenching her fist, Helena couldn't help being envious of Alora who glided smoothly in Agost's arms. They didn't look like they were learning but a couple having a good time together.
Whereas Cyrus who watched his prince smile and be happy with the redhead lady jumped the ship.