At the First Queen's words, the entire hall buzzed. The diamond of the season has been named. A girl no one knows anything about, presented by Lady Agnes Erskine has been proclaimed the Diamond of the Season by the Queen, and no one could deny the fact that she earned it. From all the seventy debutantes this season had, she stood out the moment she walked into the Queen's drawing room.
The second Queen gasps in shock at the First Queen's proclamation. Her shock came more from the fact that the Queen had declared a nobody the Diamond of the Season when Lady Margery Weatherby stood a few feet away. She had believed the first Queen would be wise enough to choose the girl from the Weatherby family as the Diamond, but the first Queen had not.
Margery could feel the title being snatched from her right in her presence. Tears gathered in her eyes as she slowly raise her head to look at the girl whom the First Queen has proclaimed Diamond. From envy, her eyes narrowed at the Diamond in hatred.
She was not the only one who was angry, even her mother was angry. She has spent years working at the perfect time and has spent lots of coins preparing Margery for her Debut so she could be the Diamond. She had even gone as far as persuading the Hurlbutt family to delay their daughter's Début one more year, just so her Margery would have no competition and would be declared Diamond of the Season. She had even had Lord Tawnie's daughter's face marred two days ago just so she wouldn't be chosen as Diamond. Yes, she had heard whispers that Lady Erskine was presenting her two daughters and a niece today to the Queen, but she had thought the niece would be just as ugly as the Lady's daughters as no one had ever heard from or seen the girl until today. Lady Weatherby narrowed her eyes at the family in pure hatred.
~
"I am so proud of you, Bloom." Lady Agnes says hugging Kidaya to herself. "You have made us all proud." Sniffing. "Your Mama would have been -"
"Aunt." Kidaya called before the Lady could continue further.
Smiling. "Did you hear what the First Queen called her?" Eddna asked twirling dreamily.
"A Rare Diamond!" Joan says closing her eyes and leaning her head on her shoulder.
Walking past the group still standing at the door, Count Tegha takes her seat. "Of course, she would say that. I must admit she has an eye for good treasures. The Royal Court has a good eye more than I thought. No one else but my Kidaya stood out best among all the girls presented today. Even Joan and Eddna made me proud."
Walking towards where the Count was seated. "I bet our house will be crowded with callers tomorrow. I may need to get more chairs and get the servants to -"
"Aren't we getting a little ahead of ourselves right now, Aunt? It was just a word the Queen said and whatever it is, doesn't -"
Lady Agnès gasps causing Kidaya to stop her words halfway. "Did you say 'Just?' Bloom, do you have any idea how many girls or families would kill to have their daughters named a Diamond? Last season, we had no Diamond because the Queen found no one in all hundred and nine debutantes fit to be a Diamond. Two years ago, we had no Diamond either out of fifty-five ladies presented to Her Majesty. It got many people worried about this season's Debut, if the Queen will still not find anyone suitable. But she did. And not Margery Weatherby whom everybody thought it was going to be," she moves over to where Kidaya is standing and places her hand on both her cheeks. "It was you, the Queen chooses you, Bloom, to be her rarest Diamond. Do you know what that means not just for you, but even your cousins?"
"I hope it is something good," Kidaya says with a sigh.
Smiling. "It is something more than just good."
"It means every Gentleman in town or on his way to town, will be having his eyes on you and hoping his luck can get him you," Joan says smiling.
Kidaya squeezes her face at the statement.
"Lords will bet and place high stakes to have you. And you don't have to worry about not getting married your very first season." Eddna added.
"I hope we can skip that," Kidaya muttered inaudibly.
"Plus lots and lots and lots of balls and soirees." Both sisters say in unison.
"Now, I am looking forward to this season more excitedly," Eddna says.
"Me too. Did you see the look on Margery's face?" She laughs. "I bet she believed she would be Diamond."
"Go have some rest Ladies. The Queen's Debutante's Ball will be held this evening by seven. We cannot be late, and you know that every who is who in or out of town will be attending, There will be lots of traffic on Benham Street, so we will have to leave early so we can arrive at the Ball early. The Queen's Diamond cannot be late."
"Did you say every who and who in town will be attending this ball, Aunt?" Kidaya asks. Her question earned her a look from Count Tegha.
"Yes, my dear. Every society person will be present."
"Then I must go rest so I will get ready on time." She says beginning to head upstairs. Turning to her handmaid who was behind her. " Call me Miya. Tell her I am in my room, Sirena."
~
The second Queen scoffs, hurrying in her steps after the first Queen. "You must be joking. Why would you choose a nobody as Diamond of the Season?"
"Because I am the Queen and I can do whatever I want." the First queen says.
"Not when it comes to the Diamond of the season. Everyone knows the Weatherbys would have sent thousands of bags of gold and coins to the inner palace just to have that title for their daughter, yet you give it to a nobody no one knows?"
"She was presented by Lady Agnes Erskine, so she is definitely not a nobody."
Scoffing again. "You must be out of your -" The first Queen swiftly turns around to face the second queen and she keeps quiet not completing her sentence.
"Watch your mouth, Lady. No matter who you think you are, I am still the First Queen of this Empire. Know your place." So saying, the first Queen turns back and walks away. "Is everything ready for the Debutante's Ball this evening?" She questions her headmaid as they walk away.
"Preparations are still underway, Your Majesty." Her head maid answers.
"Let the second Prince know that I demand for him to be present. I will accept no excuses, he will take a bride this season."