"Lia--" Felicia's words get cut off when she sees his younger sister, the adorable little Golden Retriever Lady Cordelia, walk up to her with a bright smile on her face.
"Lady Felicia, I'm so happy to see you again. And on such a day!" Her voice is filled with the happiness of an innocent child.
Felicia smiles back, unable to resist the girl's enthusiasm. "You as well. And, please, just call me Felicia. We are close friends, are we not?"
Cordelia nodded, exuberantly. "Yes, you're right. I think we may even become family one day!" She replied, throwing a knowing look at her brother.
Liam cleared his throat.
Felicia just chuckled.
"So," Cordelia drawled. "I was wondering where Lord Alexander was. I was hoping to share a dance with him."
"He's a bit preoccupied at the moment. Sadly, I don't think he's in the mood to dance." Felicia replied, scanning the area and realizing she had no idea which direction he'd went.
Has he met Father Demetri? But I wasn't able to spot him amongst the priests earlier.
Cordelia eyes dimmed, but she maintained her smile.
"Not to worry, sister. I will dance with you." Liam replied, stepping forward and taking her hand. He had wanted to share a dance with Felicia, but seeing his sister unhappy took precedence.
"Liam, that's not necessary I...." Her words trailed off as he lead her to the left side of the courtyard where a group of bards were already strumming their instruments. The siblings were the third pair to dance.
Liam twirled his sister who retained her happy mood immediately. A few other couples also stepped onto the dance floor.
Felicia turned around at the sound of her name being called. Prince Constantine approached her looking depressed. He was trying to smile, but he couldn't manage to keep it in place.
"Your Highness." She curtsied.
Constantine took her hand and pressed a kiss on top. "Would you be so kind as to share a dance with me?"
"Well, if you insist, Your Majesty."
He led her onto the dance floor and the two began a slow waltz. Both had taken lessons when they were young so it came naturally. Constantine held Felicia very close to himself. Taking in her beauty and breathing in her scent, his mood began to lift. The despair he felt over the blue-eyed, golden haired liar slowly abated in the presence of the emerald-eyed, red haired Saintess. He felt a weight lift off his shoulders as Felicia's presence filled his entire mind.
A slow smile curved his lips. Felicia, too, smiled back. Hers was a polite smile. But Constantine didn't seem to notice. He drank in her divine beauty and considered himself lucky to have been given such a woman as his fiancée.
Unbeknownst to them, a lot of eyes were on them.
The Emperor and Florentine had a satisfied look on their faces. From their perspective, the two were clearly in love from the way they kept looking at each other.
The other nobles who had been gossiping earlier now felt silly. Obviously, the young Lady Felicia was just friends with the Young Marquis. She had never been flirting. From the close dance she was sharing with the Crown Prince, who would think she was not taken by her soon to be husband. They couldn't stop watching how graceful the pair looked as they danced.
Some of the priests watched too.
The Pope has his lips pressed in dissatisfaction. This lady had a strong charm that could sway people. She would prove to be a difficult cockroach to discredit. Obviously, death was the only solution. Her and her brother.
He suddenly looked around the courtyard. But where was he? Where had the boy run off to? Why wasn't he sticking close to his sister?
Is that foolish termite trying to get into my hidden chamber as per Moniqua's maps?
The Pope closed his eyes and opened his senses. He could sense nothing. None of his alarm spells had been tripped. His secrets remained safe.
Pfft! What am I worried about? That boy knows I'm onto him. So too does his sister. The moment they get near the hidden entrance, I'll know and that'll be the end of them. I'll do away with them more discreetly than I did their mother.
Meanwhile, there were two particular individuals who were struggling to control their jealousy and anger. The younger one, was practically panting with hatred and greed.
Helena's scorching gaze never left Prince Constantine and Felicia. The fact that they looked so perfect and harmonized as they danced only fueled her anger and jealousy. It should be her. She should be the one dancing with the Crown Prince. She deserved him, not Felicia.
How dare that bitch take attention away from me on my special day?
Helena wiped away the furious tears that spilled over her face.
Tyren, seeing her daughter's reaction from where she was seated next to the Pope, got up and went to console her. On her way she saw the way Duke Roelle was watching Felicia dance with the prince. His eyes were filled with softness and a faint smile graced his lips. She clenched her fists and turned her head away.
Tyren had seen that look on his face many times before, and it was only ever directed at the dead wench whom he refused to forget. She had seen the love in his eyes every time he looked at his first wife whenever they attended public functions. Something she craved and still failed to get, despite being married to him.
The Duke's mind was taken back nearly 2 decades ago as he watched his daughter dance with the prince. They reminded him of himself and Moniqua on their wedding day.
Liam also felt jealous, but he controlled it after seeing the polite smile on Felicia's face. She did not look at Constantine the way she looked at him. He knew the prince did not have his lady's heart.
After their dance concluded, Helena immediately rushed forward and as per her mother's instruction asked the prince to share a dance with her as well. Constantine appeared a bit reluctant, his earlier bitterness over realizing Helena's true face surfacing once more.
"I am sorry, Lady Helena, but Lady Felicia is my betrothed. I cannot dishonor her by dancing with another woman." He placed a hand on his chest and offered her a slight nod of his head.
Helena clenched her teeth and glared at Felicia.
Felicia felt guilty hearing his words as her heavy smooching session with Liam came to mind. Flushing, she averted her gaze.
"I am not just any lady, Your Highness. I am a Saintess and this is a day to commemorate my acquisition over the Holy Sword. Surely, you will not be so rude as to deny me my simple request." Helena pressed, not willing to lose to Felicia.
Constantine's brows furrowed. Helena had never spoken to him like this before. She was always so sweet and soft and gentle. She had never appeared unreasonable and domineering.
So, her public persona is truly nothing more than an act after all. No only is she not a Saintess, but she isn't even the gentle soul I thought her to be.
Before he could refuse her request, Felicia chimed in. "Helena is right, Your Highness. This is her day and you shouldn't refuse her. Moreso, after our marriage she will become family as well. There is nothing improper about dancing with your soon to be sister-in-law."
Helena looked at her surprise, wondering why she was helping her.
Felicia bowed and excused herself.
Constantine scratched the back of his neck. "Well, since your sister insisted...shall, we?" Feeling awkward and left with no way out, he extended his hand out to Helena.
Helena snatched his hand like it the last slice of pie on the plate. She offered a hard smile to the prince as he led her forward. She was still irked by his rejection just now. And she hated that he had bended because of Felicia and not because of her.
This is bad. That bitch has a hold on his mind. He should always crave my company and do everything he can to make me happy. Felicia shouldn't even be part of the discussion. Why did the Emperor even have to force this engagement to begin with?!
Tyren watched her daughter dance with a happy smile on her face. There was still hope. As long as Helena worked hard enough, everything would fall into her hands.