"...Did not consummate the marriage."
" Eudora."
" Madam Maxime."
" Whether you consummate this marriage shapes what the next hundred years of life in Xylem will be like. The Crown Prince needs an heir. Tatum needs an heir. You need an heir. If you can't produce an heir, you will be cast aside by "
Silence loomed in.
Madam Maxime sighed.
" We will talk about this later. Right now, we need to pick out an appropriate garb for you."
Right at that moment, Lady Iris, Lady Hestia, and Lady Calypso walked in enthusiastically with a rack of clothes.
The first event Eudora attended as the Crown Princess Consort was tea with the noble ladies at the Latimer Manor hosted by Duchess Latimer. She needed to be there in a few hours.
Women in this modern era of Tatum were not necessarily required to wear the tiyam for occasions other than religious or royal functions. And for a simple afternoon tea, a tiyam wasn't the most suitable thing to wear.
" My lady, these are the dresses that the Crown Prince sent!" Lady Iris said.
Eudora got off the sofa and went to have a closer look.
" You are not obligated to wear a tiyam. A simple evening dress will do."
All the dresses were of high quality and made by the most famous tailor in the capital. These dresses were extremely expensive. Eudora could tell by the high-end fabrics used for the dresses.
With the hats came an array of hats and jewelry.
Big extravagant hats were all the rage according to Lady Iris.
He already built a wardrobe collection worth a few million! And now this! Does he have too much money?! How is he affording all of this?!
( Author: He is a prince..)
Eudora settled on wearing a strapless off-white top with puffy bishop sleeves made of a viole material of the same shade. This was paired with a white satin skirt long enough to reach her ankles. To complete the look, she put on an off-white flowery patterned corset, a chunky pearl necklace, and a white cocktail hat.
" Venust…"
" A masterpiece…"
"Beauteous…"
The ladies-in-waiting said after taking in Eudora's beauty.
—-
The carriages arrived. Eudora and her ladies-in-waiting got into the carriages and set off. Eudora was sharing a carriage with Lady Gaia and the rest of the ladies-in-waiting and Madam Maxime traveled in the carriage behind them.
Out of all the ladies-in-waiting, Lady Gaia was the most quiet. While the others initiated conversations, Lady Gaia just stood there listening to everything. She had only talked that day when Eudora cut her hand. After that, Lady Gaia didn't speak to Eudora.
" How is your hand, my lady?" Lady Gaia broke the unpleasantly silent atmosphere.
Eudora looked at her palm. The wound has healed and there was no scar left.
" It has been healed. Thank you for dressing the wound that day."
" It is my utmost duty to protect and serve you." Lady Gaia smiled, " With that said, may I offer some advice?"
" Huh? What is it about?"
" Don't believe everything you hear and don't feel pressured to consummate the marriage. Wait until you are comfortable. The Crown Prince…" She paused for a second, took a deep breath, and said, ".... absolutely adores you."
"Ha…shouldn't you be advising me to take advantage of the Crown Prince's love and quickly consummate with him? To give him an heir while he is still infatuated with me?"
" Infatuation does not last and when that happens, trust me, you do not wish to have a child with that man."
" Lady Gaia. Have you ever been married?"
" No."
" Then how would you know what the best approach to this situation is? I'm not just a noble.I'm the Princess of Xylem. Now the Crown Princess Consort. If I can't give him an heir, Tatum will not have a true legitimate heir to the throne and the balance maintained in the royal family will be disrupted. Furthermore, the whole purpose of the treaty would be meaningless."
" I understand your concerns but I believe the Crown Prince would not appreciate your unwanted advances-"
" Lady Gaia, I do not believe it is your place to comment on our bedroom life and I will have you know that the Crown Prince is more than happy with my advances. Who are you to say they are unwanted?"
" Your Highness, forgive me if I'm being impudent but I have known the Crown Prince far longer than you have. I went to war with him. I spent three years in war with him. Personally, I would say that I know his Highness way better than Your Highness. From what I know, the Crown Prince hates advances from other women."
" Other women….ha…I'm his wife! His lawful wife!"
Do you perceive that you and your sister are the exceptions? Ridiculous.
" Being his lawful wife means nothing if his heart and mind are elsewhere."
Is she talking about Thalia?
" Lady Gaia, are you perhaps hinting at something? What are you trying to say?"
The carriage stopped moving.
" We are here."
" It is just my views on how you should proceed. Forgive me if I said something out of line." Lady Gaia bowed and opened the door for Eudora.
Eudora got out without another word.
Madam Maxime noticed the shift in Eudora's mood. She looked at Lady Gaia getting out of the carriage and then at Eudora. She motioned for Eudora to put on her best smile with her hand.
Eudora forced a smile and walked in.
Duchess Latimer personally came to receive Eudora.
Saying that Duchess Latimer was gorgeous was an understatement.
She was well over 50 but had maintained herself well. She had luscious brown hair and sunkissed brown skin. She had an elegant aura around her and every action she took showcased that.
Duchess Latimer wore a midnight blue floor-length dress with butterfly sleeves. Simple diamond earrings were worn to pull the whole look together. Other than the earrings, the only piece of jewelry she wore is her wedding ring. It was a vintage hexagon cut sapphire ring set in a white gold band.
" Greetings Your Highness, Crown Princess Consort. May the Goddess Alexis's blessing be upon you."
Duchess Latimer curtseyed whereas the maids behind her knelt.
" Greetings Duchess Latimer. Thank you for extending an invitation!" Eudora said with a bright smile.
" It's my absolute honor to host you at the Latimer manor. And my, what a radiant smile, Your Highness!"
Duchess Latimer and Eudora walked side by side to the garden where all the other noble ladies were.
The Latimer Manor was quite old. It was first built more than six hundred years ago and recently went under renovation. It was built in a Renaissance style with the application of classical orders and mathematically accurate height and width ratios, along with a goal for symmetry, balance, and harmony.
" How are you finding Tatum, Your Highness?"
" I haven't got the chance to explore any place other than the palace haha…I have been staying in my room for the most part."
" I'm sure you are feeling very homesick and crave the embrace of your mother. I too, once faced that. When I first married the Duke, he was indifferent and I felt so alone in this huge manor. But the Duke eventually warmed up to me and I feel quite content with how my life is. So...if the Crown Prince doesn't show much interest, do not lose hope. You are quite the charming young lady, I'm sure you will snag his attention."
Eudora laughed, " I think you are mistaken. The Crown Prince isn't cold towards me…in fact, he openly shows off his affection for me."
Duchess Latimer sighed in relief.
" That's good. It's a blessing to have a good relationship with your husband."