[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: ÉXTA ~ SEBASTIAN PLANO]
The next two days, while enjoying her nap under the shed, Oriana's head swayed on her chair, and each time she almost landed on the ground, she would wake up and hear the governess talking.
"First rule, a woman should always..."
Oriana would drift back to sleep, trying her best to keep her head steady.
Lady Adeline, who was already used to this, didn't stop for any reason; she continued listing out what was in the book, not for the princess to learn etiquette, but for her to remind herself that she was still a woman of class. The classes were no longer for the princess but for the woman who was gradually losing hair worrying about this young princess.
"Ah!!!"
A loud shriek was heard, which startled Oriana. She jumped up from her chair, "I heard you, a woman must be graceful," she said, looking at the governess.
Lady Adeline, who was also startled by the loud shriek, turned to look at Oriana, "And that woman is not you."
Oriana rubbed her neck, nudging the woman slightly. "Was that why you screamed? If you had tapped me gently, I would have listened."
The poor governess sighed, rubbing her temples where a small headache was now rising. "I wasn't the one who shouted,"
"Ahhhh!!!" The scream was heard again.
Oriana furrowed her brows, turning to the governess she asked. "Seems like someone is about to join my boat soon. Isn't that Sophie's voice?"
Lady Adeline twitched her lips, "The Crown Princess would never act like you."
Oriana shrugged her shoulder, "Her loss not mine."
As they were talking, they looked up to see Sophie walking faster than normal to their direction with her maids walking behind her.
"Lady Adeline," Sophie called out, her words coming out breathy.
The governess was surprised to see the crown princess, who always had composure, looking like this. She turned to look at Oriana, who gave her a knowing smile. "Princess Sophie, is anything the matter? Have a seat please." Lady Adeline gracefully pushed a chair aside for the Crown Princess, who looked very excited.
Oriana, who was standing at a side, folded her hand on her chest, waiting for her sister to talk; she wanted to know her cause for excitement.
Sophie waved her hand, "I don't need to sit; we have work to do Lady Adeline. The Royal family of Avon sent a letter they would be coming tomorrow with marriage in mind!" The crown princess exclaimed.
Oriana nodded her head, turning her face to the side she grinned. Her plan was working accordingly. "Oh my, sister, I'm so happy for you. I told you that fate would always work in your favor." The younger princess said with a big smile.
Sophie held her chest and inhaled deeply, "You did say that, but that's also because I'm not just any girl." The Crown Princess raised her shoulders proudly. "But you wouldn't understand sister, greatness only sees greatness."
Oriana nodded in agreement not picking an offense with her sister's words. "You're right, I wouldn't understand at all. Congratulations once more sister." She said with a smile that covered her eyes. When she turned, she saw the governess giving her a suspicious look. Oriana raised her brows.
"Lady Adeline, you can stop teaching Oriana now; she wouldn't be needing it. I need your full attention, on everything I need to know." The crown princess remarked.
Lady Adeline furrowed her brows, "But Princess Sophie, you already know everything, what more should I teach you?"
Without waiting for her sister to talk, Oriana said to the governess. "The Crown Princess needs to get ready for her future husband; what she learned in the past wouldn't work now. You don't need to worry about me Lady Adeline. My sister's future is also the future of Orion."
The governess gave Oriana a look; something wasn't right. Anytime the younger princess acted this way, not being defiant, then she was up to no good. "I'll get my things ready then," Lady Adeline bowed to the Crown Princess who gave her a nod before walking back to the palace.
Oriana's eyes followed her sister with a pleasant smile on her face, "Finally, things are going to get interesting around here.
And when the governess turned to look at her, she shurgged her shoulder.
"What?" Oriana asked the woman with an innocent look on her face.
"Tell me what are you planning this time?" Lady Adeline asked worriedly.
The younger princess shook her head, feigning sadness. "I don't even have to do anything and I'm being accused."
Lady Adeline, knowing Oriana for long, didn't buy any of it. "Just don't ruin this for your sister, please."
"Don't worry, don't worry... in fact, I'm going to dress in the most appropriate way ever. I am genuinely happy for my sister this time. You might not know it, but this Crown Prince of Avon is the best match for Sophie. They're both a match made in heaven." Oriana praised.
. . .
The next day finally arrived, as everyone in the palace anticipated the visit of the royal family of Avon.
As promised, Oriana was on her best behavior, from her dressing to the way she carried herself. She acted just like a princess would, and this surprised not just her personal maid and the governess but everyone in the palace.
Sophie, on the other hand, tried to reach perfection, with her dress and makeup. She even learned how to walk on a straight line with books on her head. The Crown Princess didn't want to miss out on this opportunity for any reason.
By mid-afternoon, when the guests were yet to arrive, everyone in the palace became anxious, especially Sophie, who was now becoming impatient.
Oriana sat in her room, with a wooden fan in her hand, one leg on the bed, the other dangling in the air.
"Princess Oriana." Bessie bowed, "Do you think they would still come? I mean, the royal family of Avon."
Oriana fanned herself gently, with a mischievous smile on her lips. "With what was written in my letter, they wouldn't miss this opportunity. They will come, don't worry yourself at all."
The maid nodded, still pondering why the princess suddenly decided to write a letter for her sister's sake. Nobody knew how the mind of this princess worked, but Bessie just prayed it wasn't another trick because the Crown Princess might end up jumping from the roof with the amount of preparation she had made.
"Something in me tells me you still doubt me," Oriana's voice broke the thoughts of the maid. She pushed herself up from the bed, holding her gown very high so she could walk properly.
"I don't know who makes these dresses with too many layers; what's their true ambition?" She muttered walking to stand in front of the maid.
Bessie bowed her head when the princess came to stand in front of her; she was used to seeing her raise her gown so there was no point in being worried.
"I believe they're made to cover and reserve your delicate features for the eyes of the one man who deserves to see it." The maid answered.
Oriana sucked her teeth, "You should become a sage. I'm so impressed, but I feel these layers were put because of how depressed and mundane the person's life was, then he or she tried to stuff it down on people's dresses." Just as she was about to say something else, a royal bell was heard ringing loudly.
"Do you hear that?" Oriana ran to her window, and there she saw the long line of carriages, "They are here..." She smiled. It was time to see that pervert and take back her grandmother's necklace. It was payback time.