"Good afternoon, ladies!" She exclaimed happily, earning their attention. Princess Asteria made sure to dress up extravagantly for today, just to make them jealous more.
"Princess!" They all said in unison.
Princess Asteria knew that all of these ladies just befriended her because their husbands wanted to get closer and earn favor in the royal family. Her eyes are so sharp that she could spot fakes from all around after all.
Well, Princess Asteria did befriend them too just to gain information from them.
"How are you, princess? You look as beautiful as ever!" Lady Ludke, the daughter of the duke replied.
"So does every one of you." Princess Asteria replied, "Come on, let us have a seat and continue to chat."
They all followed her but Princess Asteria looked at the carriages, noticing that the last letter she sent to still not arriving. Lady Roselle….Also, Mistress Geneva…the reason for this tea party.
"Are you waiting for another person, your highness?" Asked Countess Cipriani who noticed her eyes darting.
"Yes, I'm waiting for our two guests." It was Lady Roselle, and Mistress Geneva..
They nodded, "Are you going to introduce us to a new friend?"
"Yes. You'll know them soon." She said mysteriously and they all squalled happily. They arrived at the large rectangular table with pretty flowers and carved fruits designed with nice cloth skirting. As always, Vita never failed to amaze her. Vita had been an amazing maid of hers.
After sitting at their designated seats, the ladies continued to chat.
Baroness Cortez, the noisiest out of everyone here asked, "So princess, the banquet yesterday was amazing…particularly Lord Eros.." She brought up. Well, she was busy flirting with Lord Eros last night...the nerve of this girl.
"Awe, I pity your other suitors. You can give some to use if you want." Marchioness attempting to joke, fanning her fan lightly, and giggled playfully.
"Why? Are you jealous?" Princess Asteria asked.
Viscountess Licht chuckled nervously, "Oh haha, it's just that you have a kind father as the king and three handsome brothers. Plus, now that handsome men are going after you. It must be nice."
Yes, it must be nice having to play this role while enduring all the people around her while trying hard to survive death attempts.
Yes, it's nice being the princess. She thought to herself sarcastically.
She wanted to say that to their jealous faces but stopped herself. Instead, she looked around and spotted a very beautiful Lady Roselle coming to their table shyly.
Asteria's eyes immediately brightened up and she stood up.
"Ew, who invited her?" Asked Countess Cipriani and Princess Asteria faced her.
"Me, is there a problem? Are you defying me like the princess?"
"No…" They all shook their head in fear.
Asteria then ushered the female lead. "Lady Roselle!" She greeted. "I am happy that you made it here today! Come and sit beside me!"
Lady Roselle coughed and moved to the chair hesitantly, "But your highness-"
"What? Let them think about anything. You were the main reason why I had this tea party." Asteria said and Lady Roselle didn't have any choice but to sit beside her.
Everyone was silently watching as Lady Roselle get close to the princess. Both with hatred and jealousy.
It was not until Baroness Cortez couldn't bear the situation and cleared her throat, "Your highness, may I ask but… did you get…close with Lady Roselle?"
"Just recently. She saved me from a situation." That was all Princess Asteria's reply.
They all gasped in shock, "No way!"
"Yes. So I owe my life to her. Everyone, I hope you'll become friends with her too."
"Your highness, aren't you scared you will…catch the virus?" asked Lady Ludke with a disgusted look on her face.
This is the reason why everyone hated the female lead, Lady Roselle, at first. Because of the rumor that if you get close to her, you'll catch a virus.
But this virus they are talking about is only pneumonia. She knows because, from the novel, Lady Roselle was supposed to be cured with her brother the male lead, Prince Apollo's help.
She wanted to explain it's a diseases that can be cured but then again these stupid noble ladies won't even let her hear it.
"A virus? What kind of rumor is that?" Princess Asteria asked in disbelief, although knowing it already.
They all put their fans to their nose to block half their faces from Roselle. "Better to be cautious, princess." They all warned her.
Lady Roselle gulped and stood up. "Your highness, I'm afraid I'm ruining your tea party-"
Princess Asteria grabbed her hand, "Sit down Roselle. You're not ruining the party. It's them that's ruining it for believing such childish rumors."
They all gasped, shrieking in horror as her hand grazed Lady Roselle's skin. "You touched her! Princess!"
They all scattered and instantly ran away as if she just touched a poo disgustingly. Princess Asteria smirked and ran to get them, making sure to touch their hands with the hand that.
Lady Roselle, on the other hand, was panickly watching the scene, not sure if she should go help them or stay put.
Princess Asteria then grabbed a char and stood up to get all their attention. "Listen to me, you stupid noble ladies. Let's test this rumor. If it's real or not. If it's real, then come back here if you get any virus. This virus you call is just a sickness that she got when she was young and it can be cured instantly."
They all got quiet and glared at Lady Roselle who was looking down and fidgeting now.
The princess then looked at the female lead, "I'll get the royal doctor to treat it for you."
Lady Roselle shook her head and coughed, "Your highness, you don't have to!"
The princess noticed that the noble ladies were still not dropping their glare from Roselle so she clenched her jaw irritatedly. "Will all of you stop being dramatic and enjoy this tea party I arranged? Stop glaring at Lady Roselle."
"I'll tell my husband about this." Said Countess Cipriani.
"You're too much princess." Added Viscountess Licht, clutching her hand protectively as if it's been injured.
Astera could see that Mistress Geneva didn't come...hmm, she must have been scared from her threats last night.
Just then, Lady Ludke stood up and quickly slapped Lady Roselle, shocking any of them.
"What evil curse did you cast for the princess to protect you like this?" She asked grittily.
Princess Asteria's nerves twitched and she slowly turned to Lady Ludke Asteria laughed evilly and stood up, walking towards Lady Ludke, "Are you deaf not to hear my orders? Or are you dumb enough not to understand a princess's orders? Didn't I tell you not to mess with her?"