She looked to the side and saw that they were accidentally at the fountain with the water gushing down. Varied colors came from the water due to the gifted inventing this.
It seemed that a lightbulb lightened up in her brain as a plan quickly went in. She faced the concubine, "Mistress Geneva, do you want to swim?"
Mistress Geneva raised her eyebrows at the sudden question, "You're avoiding my question-"
"How about you try swimming now?" Instantly, Princess Asteria pushed her sideways and the look of horror on Mistress Geneva's face was priceless. The cold water splashed on her, drenching her whole dress, and ruining her whole outfit. Princess Asteria laughed at the concubine's state.
Ah, the perks of being the princess with a bratty attitude. It has an advantage in this world and avoids being bullied by stupid people.
"Oh, Mistress Geneva, you look cold. Do you want my help?" Asteria mocked.
The concubine gritted her teeth and yelled for help from her maids. "Maids! Call the king about his orphan daughter's bad behavior!" Two of her maids helped her up from the fountain while one went to call the king.
Asteria smirked and then slapped her arms enough to have a bruise and waited until her father appeared. There is no way she'll let this concubine win this.
It wasn't long until King Xander appeared, "What is going on here? The night banquet just finished and there's trouble here?
Before Mistress Geneva could say anything, Asteria sobbed and pointed in the concubine's direction, "Father, look at my arms," She said, letting tears fall from her eyes as she give her very best in this act.
The king sighed and examined her bruised hand, "Who did this?"
She pointed at the concubine, "Her!"
"I am being framed! Your majesty! With all due respect, Princess Asteria pushed me into the fountain." Mistress Geneva defended herself.
The king looked at the both of them, not knowing what to do. "Mistress Geneva, you know how young and immature Princess Asteria is. And you, Ria, if you're playing pranks on her again,"
Mistress Geneva bit her lip, "Dear, don't you believe me?"
King Xander nodded, "I do, it's just I wasn't there to witness the incident myself. I trust and love both of you but I know that one of you is lying. I won't hesitate to punish you. Now go dry yourself my dear, and Ria, you must go back to your room."
Both of them were stunned, but at least she get to have a bit fun now.
She did as the king ordered but not before walking past the concubine and whispered, "See? Between us, you know who he will listen to. But don't worry. I'm inviting you to my tea party tomorrow. You must come alright? I am not finished in returning the favor."
The concubine wasn't able to think of a wonderful retort as she left her there.
That's right. The concubine should know that she's not someone to be messed with. Mistress Geneva should keep her mouth closed as the show is about to begin soon.
****
"Awe, you're tickling me!" Princess Asteria giggled as the dragon that Lord Eros caught, Red, is licking her whole. It had a bad dragon's breath, but she doesn't mind as long a she get to be with it. Red seems to love her as he kept on playing with her.
After the banquet and incident with the concubine last night, Asteria has woke up early in the morning just to visit Red in the town's forest, where Lord Eros kept him.
"I'm jealous. I want to bond with you too, Ria." Said Lord Eros as he sat by the rock, watching her with the dragon.
Princess Asteria stuck her tongue at him, "Not a chance, Eros."
Lord Eros sighed, "I wish I could be Red right now."
"If you're really the dark mage that everyone was fearing, then do it." She dared him, "Transform yourself into a dragon. Or maybe switch souls with him?"
Lord Eros glared at her challenge, "You should treat me good, I won the contest a few days ago."
She nodded as she pat on Red's head who was now leaning on the ground, "Yes, it's only round one. What if Prince Galician or Griffith won the next?
"Oh that won't happen. And when it did, I'll turn back time then. With my power and your rare type, I can do that now…but then you still need to learn and control your power…" He said, trailing off.
Oh right, that power again…she still doesn't fully believe she has the capacity to even bear the pressure of having that rare type of elemental mana. It feels very special, but why can't she just have a water or earth type? At least that will be useful and easier to manage.
Well, blame this novel's author…
She then pointed at the pile of wood, "Now do me a favor and light up the fire. I want to experience camping." She said, sitting down beside Red the dragon.
Lord Eros gasped, "Are you ordering me around? And you're even using my fire magic like its nothing?"
"Why? I can't do that?" she asked. Really, he's too egoistical when in fact she's a princess, a higher status than an earl like him.
Just then, the bushes shook and a panting Princess Asteria's maid, Vita, appeared.
"You're highness! I already prepared it." She managed to say in between breaths, still catching up on air.
Princess Asteria nodded, "Alright, thank you, Vita." She then faced Lord Eros, "I got to go then."
Lord Eros stood up, "Where?"
She shrugged, "Back to the palace of course. I have a tea party to manage. See you later, Red!" She touched Red's nose and giggled, finding her dragon adorable. Lord Eros nodded, waved at her, and left for the palace.
As soon as she got to her room, Vita helped her dress up, making sure she wore the best gown from her closet.
Carriages after carriages appeared followed by the giggling of young ladies.
The afternoon arrived and it was time for the tea party. Countess Cipriani, Marchioness Armani, Viscountess Licht, and Baroness Cortez had finally appeared for Princess Asteria's lovely tea party.
These are all Princess Asteria's "noble friends" if that's what you can call it. These are also all the noble ladies who made fun of her at the banquet last night.
Asteria nudged her maid, "Are the preparations clear?"
"Yes, your highness."
"Good, let the show begin." She said and approached the ladies.