A subtle knock at the door disturbed Althea's quiet moment. Rising from her rocking chair, she looked over as Annis entered.
"How is Jade? Is she okay?" Althea asked.
"Yes, my lady. Aside from a few scratches from struggling against the cage, she is fine and is being cleaned up. But I didn't come here to inform you about the cat."
"Oh? Why have you come then?"
"Dalia has something for you."
"Let her in, then."
Annis nodded and opened the door to allow Dalia inside.
"My lady, your father asked that we give this to you," Dalia said, offering a quick bow.
"He did?" Althea narrowed her eyes.
"Yes, my lady."
"Alright. Annis, take it from Dalia."
Annis took the box from Dalia, who then left the room. Althea was just about to open it when Ellen entered with a quick bow.
"Your Grace, Lady Bradbury is here to see you."
"Leilani? Yes, please, let her in."
Annis nodded and returned shortly with Leilani. Once she was inside, Althea motioned to her handmaidens. "Leave us." As the two handmaidens exited, Althea and Leilani embraced warmly.
Althea stepped back, eyeing the off-shoulder dress Leilani wore with an admiring twirl. Despite a skin condition that left lighter patches across her body, Leilani wore her skin proudly—something she had done to spite those who had belittled her, including her own parents. It was this shared defiance that had first drawn them together as friends.
"I find your dress very interesting," Althea said with a growing smile.
"Oh, please, says the girl who once forced me to make her a dress out of leather!"
Althea laughed. "I can only imagine the looks on high society's faces when they see you in this scandalous outfit."
"They've probably had enough of my scandalous outfits by now."
"And yet they can't help but come to you when they need dresses made," Althea teased.
They shared a light laugh before settling into the chairs.
"So, tell me, my dear friend, how are you?" Althea asked.
Leilani's eyes lit up. "I heard the King sent a proposal on the prince's behalf! Tell me everything!"
"It's not final yet," Althea blushed. "Tomorrow is the betrothal ceremony."
"So soon? Why is the estate so quiet then? Shouldn't they be preparing?"
"I think it's being held at the palace. Since it's impromptu, I don't think it will be a grand affair."
A teasing smile appeared on Leilani's face. "Have you met him yet?"
"No, I haven't," Althea admitted, her cheeks flushing.
"Oh, Althea, you're so lucky! They say he has dreamy eyes."
"They also say he's mad," Althea quipped.
Leilani laughed. "We shouldn't listen to the rumors then. But he must be very handsome. I'm just happy you'll be leaving your evil stepmother behind."
"Not for too long…" Althea's smile turned mysterious, and Leilani gave her a knowing nod.
They shared a comfortable silence, sipping tea, until Leilani spoke again. "Jokes aside, Althea, I'm truly worried. Rumors say the prince is… challenging. A friend's father made her meet him, and she had nothing good to say. Please, get to know him first before making any rash decisions. He's royalty—you can't shake him off like other suitors."
"I understand, Leilani. Don't worry. I've already accepted the proposal. I think I even surprised my father a bit." Althea chuckled. "He probably wonders how he ended up with a daughter who keeps him on his toes."
They both giggled at the thought.
"I said that because of Caspian," Leilani added, her voice laced with concern. "I know you care deeply for him, but…"
"I was wrong about Caspian," Althea replied firmly. "He's a lying fool who tried to deceive me. I'm better off without him."
Leilani's eyes widened in surprise. "When did you become so wise?"
Althea raised an eyebrow, and Leilani laughed.
"Well, since you'll soon be married, we can't have you wearing those," she said, gesturing to Althea's closet.
"Don't worry—you're free to make me anything you want this time."
"I'll make you a dress so beautiful that the prince will fall in love at first sight!"
"As if it's that easy."
Leilani smiled. "Father says no one will marry me, but at least I get to see you married!"
"Don't talk like that, Leila. You'll find someone too, I'm sure of it."
"Who needs a man when I have you?" Leilani teased. "I love the independence I have now. Besides, which fool would decide to marry the second-most scandalous girl in Valoria?"
"We should have been sisters, I tell you," Althea replied with a grin.
Leilani's gaze fell on the box in Althea's hands. "What's in that box? Is it a gift from the prince?"
"Of course not. My father sent it."
"He is thoughtful."
"More like he knew I had nothing suitable to wear."
"Well, open it, then! Let's see!"
Althea lifted the lid, revealing a stunning green dress that shimmered with sequins and sparkles. Golden buttons secured the front, while delicate golden flowers adorned the hem, some climbing up to the waist where the fabric cascaded into a graceful skirt.
Leilani gasped. "This is the most beautiful dress I've ever seen, Althea. Even I couldn't make something like this. Where did your father find it on such short notice?"
"It was my mother's. Her name is signed inside the box."
Leilani reached over and touched Althea's hand gently. "This dress is too precious to wear for the engagement. Let me work on it—turn it into a breathtaking wedding gown for you, with a matching cape and veil. Just give me two days."
"Really? Thank you so much, Leila."
"Anything for you, my dear friend. You deserve every bit of happiness." Leilani smiled warmly. "I know this marriage will bring you something wonderful. And when the prince sees you in this dress, he'll be spellbound."
Althea's smile grew. "You always know just what to say."
"Of course I do. That's why I'm the elder one."
Before Althea could respond, Annis knocked at the door and, after receiving permission, entered the room, a leash in her right hand securing a white cat that looked ready to flee if the leash were dropped.
Althea stood up immediately to grab the cat from the floor.
"Your Grace, be careful, Jade has been quite…" Annis grew silent when she noticed Althea embracing the cat, which made squirming noises with widened eyes and tried to escape her hold.
"Thank you, Annis. You can leave now."
Annis bowed and left. Leilani finally let out the laughter she had been holding in.
"Althea, just what did you do to this poor creature? The way it keeps struggling to get out of your grip is terribly hilarious."
"I'm a better person now. Don't you dare laugh at me," Althea said, feigning a glare as she rubbed the cat in her arms, which seemed to stare up at her from the side of its eye as if to say 'Better person, indeed.'
"On a serious note, I overheard my father say something else about the wedding."
"Go ahead and tell me."
"He said that the Duke is only agreeing to the marriage because the King said he would believe they have finally reached a truce if the alliance goes through."
"Well, that's normal. It would be absurd for there to be no motive behind the wedding. It's already bad enough that there are rumors about Caspian and me. I never look presentable when I go out. Why would the King want such a wife for his son?"
Leilani looked pensive before speaking again. "They say the prince is strange, Althea. The brides he didn't reject refused the alliance in fear."
"If that's true, then I might need to go and see her."
"You mean...."
"Yes, but before then, I would like to see for myself."
Leilani nodded in agreement, and the two resumed sipping their tea in comfortable silence.