"I hear that the Grand duchess would bring her daughter here"
"I hear that she's quite a beauty, If I had a son, I would try to make them marry"
"She is indeed a beauty, but the question is, is she really a Florence?"
Murmurs of the group of old ladies can be heard, as they wait for the Grand duchess to arrive along with her daughter
"Have you also heard of the rumors? There's a huge chance she's illegitimate?" One asked as she drank tea, elegantly, while giggling
"I advise that we won't gossip about the Florence, am I right? It is my reputation is in the line"
The group of ladies flinched in their spot as they heard a familiar voice, a woman in her mid-40s, the Marchioness Diana Asich, who is known as a good friend of the Grand Duchess
"Marchioness" they greeted her, as the strict lady then scoffed and opened her fan and fan herself, getting impatient that her dear friend was running late,
She then walked towards where the young ladies were, to witness that they were talking while listening to music, "Chloe" She called out to her 19-year-old daughter, a lady with brown hair and pink eyes, then stared at her,
"Excuse me," Chloe told the other young ladies, as she walked towards her mother, "is something wrong, mother?" She asked her mother who was anxious right now,
"About the esteemed guest, would you be a dear and be kind to her?" She heard her mother say, as she furrowed her brows and tried to remember if there was someone important she needed to take special care of,
"I was told that Princess Michaela won't attend. Are there any other guests that are on equal footing as her?" She asked her mother, remembering how the Princess declined her invitation last night,
"Not her, it's Joanna's only daughter, didn't you hear anything? Everyone has been gossiping about her, I know that you are not acquainted but please be kind to her" her mother begged her, as she let out a small sigh,
"I will Mother,"
Marchioness then let out a small smile and hugged her daughter, patting her head, before breaking the hug and facing her daughter whose pink eyes were shining,
"I'll be back to check on you guys, hopefully with Lady Ariana with me" She bid her daughter goodbye as Chloe then bowed at her mother before she went back to the other group of ladies to socialize
Marchioness Diana then went back to where the other older ladies at, sewing handkerchiefs for their husbands, She walked towards the end of the table, and sat by the chair, facing the dozens of ladies who are mostly from the most influential families
She then started knitting as she kept on glancing at the door to see her best friend arrive along with her beautiful daughter,
"Grand duchess Florence and her daughter, Lady Florence"
Her ears perked and her head the turn in the direction of the door, Hearing her announcer announce the name of the persons she was waiting for, she immediately stood up her seat so she could welcome her esteemed guests,
Everyone's eyes are on the door, as the door is slowly flung open by the maids, only to reveal the Grand Duchess, elegantly walking inside, everyone in the room is mesmerized by her beauty,
"Joanna! How lovely to see you!" Diana exclaimed and went to hug her best friend who immediately hugged her back, "It's good to see you as well, Diana, we're not too late right?" She worriedly asked her friend who immediately shook her head,
"It's alright, we're waiting for you, Is your daughter with you?" Diana asked, as Joanna smiled lightly and turned her back from everyone, "Ariana, come on in, don't be shy" she called out to her daughter,
Ariana then slowly walked inside with elegance and grace, grabbing everyone's attention, as they gazed upon her long and wavy white hair, which was the unusual hair color in the kingdom, as well as her mesmerizing ruby eyes, that made everyone in the room curious about her appearance
"Everyone, this is my daughter who recently returned from the countryside" Joanna introduced her daughter, as everyone in the room started murmuring, gossiping about the young beauty,
Ariana then curtsied in front of them, letting out a bright and beautiful smile, "I'm Ariana Rose Florence, It's a pleasure meeting you all" She introduced herself beautifully capturing everyone's hearts,
"Lady Florence, I'm Marchioness Diana Asich, your godmother"
She heard her Godmother, who then hugged her, "Nice meeting you, Godmother, As expected of what I've read about your beauty it is captivating" she complimented her, who then blushed at her words,
Diana fake coughed to hide her embarrassment, she then let out a small smile, "Come, I'll take you to where the other young ladies are," Diana said, as she led her to the other room, separating the married and unmarried
"Are you satisfied with staying here in the capital, Lady Florence?" Diana asked her, not sure whether she'd call her by her first name or not,
"Godmother, please, just call me Ariana, It felt uncomfortable letting Godmother call me Lady Florence," she says and smiles at her,
Diana was touched by her, and glanced at the young lady who was beautiful and kind, she then noticed that they'd arrived and faced the young girl,
"I hope that you'll survive, Ariana, Everyone here is eyeing your two older brothers, they'll do anything so they'll be on your good side" Diana warned the innocent girl, worried about her well-being if she be left alone inside the room, and Ariana noticed this, her hands then held Diana's hands, which made her confuse
"Don't worry Godmother, I'll be fine, Lady Asich will be here, right?" She assured her godmother, who only then let out a loud sigh, "You are right, Chloe is here, but I want you to be aware, Ariana, anyone here would take advantage of your innocence," Diana explained to her,
"I'll be fine, I'll survive, I'm a Florence, aren't I?"
Seeing the young girl's motivation, she could only breathe in relief, and pat her head lightly,
Diana then opened the doors, and like everyone was waiting for her arrival, all eyes were on them,
She then noticed a young girl, with brown hair and pink eyes, which she assumed she is Chloe, the girl who'll be the heroine's best friend in the future,
She could feel everyone's eyes on her, judging her, but she knew that the battle was only starting, she then let out a small smile,
"Good day everyone, I am Ariana Rose Florence, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance" she introduced herself and innocently smiled as if she knew nothing,
"Chloe, I'll leave Ariana to you, have fun ladies" Diana left the girls alone and went back to the others, "Lady Florence, this way" Chloe then led her to her seat, right beside the host,
She could feel everyone's eyes still on her as if they were waiting to eat their prey, not knowing she was well-prepared for the battle,
'This will be exciting'