All attention fell on the unaffected Princess. She batted her lashes as she stared at the copperhead lady. What in the name of the goddess was she yapping about?
"This... This piece of shit does not deserve to be the Princess. For the love of heavens, she instructed the guard not to let her mother in!" She pointed an accusing finger at Olivia.
A frown was seen between her brows as she tried to figure out what she was saying. First of all, her mother was dead. Second, she never paid or ordered anyone to prevent Adele and Madeline from coming in.
This was a defamation of character. Olivia wanted to prove herself, but instead, a cold smile appeared on her face.
She rose from her seat while maintaining eye contact with the Lady. "Are you sure of what you're saying? Or you've been bought over by baseless tales?" Her words, though slow hit the nail on the head.
Olivia clicked her tongue once she noticed the lady's expression. She returned back to her seat, ignoring the stares she kept receiving from people. They obviously saw her as a wicked soul, so she never bothered about clearing her name.
After all, the people who pinned this thing on her, were going to face what was coming to them.
Reginald however took a step forward to address the woman. Olivia never thought he would do that. His action alone made her mind stutter into a mess.
"I ordered that Lady Wilson should not come near me. I never instructed that the Consort should be left outside. Where did you get this baseless word?" His deep voice cut through the silence of the crowd.
The lady was left with her mouth hanging open. She couldn't find a word to counter what he said. Instead, she pointed at the Princess who never said a word.
Olivia's eyes had an unfathomable look in them. It was the mixture of astoundment and anger. But they turned into solid ice before she tore them away from his face.
"What is the meaning of this, Reginald!?" General Hayes stepped forward, a crease seen between his brow. He casted the woman an unpleasant look before focusing on his son.
It would be an insult to the Wilsons if they ever figure out that their daughter wasn't given access to get in. He was a man that hated drama, so he was trying his best as possible to avoid it.
"Apologies, Father. They would be granted access in." He bowed his head before he returned back with his father. Reginald had gestured to one of the guards, while they returned to the guests.
Olivia scoffed and rolled her eyes as she replayed his statement in her head over and over again. She thought he was lying and faking it. Sighing, she went back to relaxing and closing her eyes again.
...
They were still causing a scene when another guard approached them. He had gestured to the man preventing them so they could have a private talk.
Madeline noticing this had a victory smile on her face. She thought that the person whom her cousin had paid to cause a ruckus on the inside had succeeded. There was no way she would be staying away from Reginald now.
Her plans would be in motion fully, and Adele would be working with her. There was no way Olivia would enjoy tonight.
The guard returned, obviously not pleased that he had to grant Madeline access. Adele raised her head casting him a condescending look while the guard bowed his head.
"Apologies for wasting your time. You can get into the mansion." He did not even bother to look apologetic when he addressed them.
Adele needed more than that apology age received. He looked down on her and in the presence of the commoners. The corners of her lips twitched as she watched him step aside from them.
Madeline held her white ball gown with both hands, while she scoffed. Walking past him, a mischievous smile appeared on her lips.
The guests were already on the dancefloor, each with their partner. All were casting side glances at the couple who never looked interested in dancing.
Per the tradition in Napoleon, the couple were to open the dancefloor with their first dance. But this was not the case with Princess Olivia and Reginald.
At the same time that the music was about to wane, Madeline walked in, looking high and mighty in her beautiful gown. She looked like the bride who came to see her groom in the last minute.
She was wearing a wide smile on her face as she meandered in, enjoying the stares she was getting from everyone.
In the corners, Adele had already gotten a goblet of wine from the waiter. She had the company of the wives of Dukes and Lords. They were trying to get to her good side by flattering her. All wanted to be her friend, secretly envying her status as the King's Consort.
She had her brown eyes on Olivia who did nothing but watched the people with an indolent air around her. Adele was quite ecstatic about how her plans would go. There was nothing stopping it now.
"I can't believe she had to wear that on her own wedding. I tried talking her out of it, but she just never listened. I was almost slapped." Adele pulled a pity face, while her eyes started to brim with tears.
The women around her furrowed their brows. They wanted to understand what she was talking about. How was it relating to their current conversation??
It didn't take too long for them to realize that she was talking about Olivia. They looked at the Princess' direction and shook their head in disapproval.
"She's just too arrogant. Your Grace, you don't need to worry about her. It's her life anyway. How foolish of her!"
"She and her mother are alike anyways. But she's a disgrace!"
"I feel too terrible. Madeline... She had prepared that ball gown thinking she was to be with Reginald. But the Young Man alas, got that ungrateful girl. She even disrespected him by wearing red." She stated and shook her head as though she was the victim of the story.
Adele acted as though Olivia had beaten her up.
The women were no longer having it. They seemed to have been bought by Adele's tales. What their minds interpreted instead was that Princess Olivia had snatched Reginald from Madeline by force.
...
Olivia's ears had picked up the slight noise of murmuring even though the music was playing. Her lashes fluttered open, revealing her moonstones which seemed dangerous to all.
She rose from her seat because she has obviously gotten wind of what was going on. A smile tugged at her lips, but it was not a pleasant one.
Her eyes caught Madeline who was wearing a knowing smile, and Olivia grinded her teeth.
This has got to stop!