Sirena yawns opening her eyes and carrying up her head from the table where she had slept off. Looking at the bed, she could not still find her Lady, and for a minute she freaked out at the fact that she may still not be back when it was already dawn. But turning to the wardrobe, she saw her standing there and staring at her clothes.
"My Lady!" Sirena scolds stamping her feet.
Turning with a smile. "Did you miss me?" Kidaya asks with a smile.
"You cannot keep sneaking out to the Art shop, and, that late at night. Lord Vanderburgh or Lady Erskine, or your mother Count Tegha will have my head if they find out –
"But they have not found out, and I came back in one piece," Kidaya says laughing.
Sirena rushes over and wipes some paint off her temple. "Keep coming back with paints like this and they will find out. I almost fainted last night when the Head-maid came to check on you -" There was a knock on the door.
"Bloom, your callers are here." Lady Erskine's voice came just as the door opened.
"This early? Aunt I am still in my underwear."
Smiling, she walks towards her. "Bloom! The whole soiree felt sour without you last night. All the young Lords were worried when they heard you were down with cold." Lady Erskine says caressing her cheeks.
"You told them?"
"How else could I explain that I was at the soiree without their Diamond."
"Their looks almost fried Mama." Eddna says from the door. "Next time, we will pull you along even if you have a flu."
Kidaya smiles. "Where is Joan?" she asks.
Moving into the room. "She is with her caller already. I think she likes Lord Wheatly."
"That is amazing. He is a fine young man." Kidaya says.
Nodding, "Yes he is. And he likes her too. You need to see two of them in the drawing room, I was so jealous I had to leave and come find you."
"Sirena, get her ready to meet her callers in this dress. You two, stop chatting and go meet the young Lords so you two can find yours."
When Kidaya was finally ready and arrives at the Drawing room, it was empty except for Joan and Lord Wheatly. Looking around, and then turning to look at Eddna. "I thought Aunt said I had lots of callers and the drawing room was full."
Eddna nods, also looking around in confusion. She had left the room filled with Lords.
"So where are all of them?" Kidaya questions confused.
"One of them chased all the other Lords away." Joan says looking up from where she was.
"A Lord! Who in hell will do that?" Kidaya questions, her brow settling into a thin line.
"That will be me." Came the voice as he walks into the drawing room and the door closes behind him.
"Your Grace!" Eddna greets with a curtsey.
Angry eyes stared at that man in front of her. "Why would you send away all my callers?" Kidaya questions.
'You have not even begun being angry. Wait until you see the tea.' The Second Prince says in his mind. Stopping in front of her, "Since I am already here, there is no need for them to be here. I am all you need to receive today. I will be your only caller today, Diamond."
Kidaya stares at him not believing her ears. What was wrong with this proud son of a King? Was this his way of paying her back for the act with Margery? Kidaya scoffs going to take a seat.
"How are you this morning, Diamond? I heard you were down with a cold that is why you couldn't attend last night's soiree." He says with mocked sweetness.
Kidaya tares at him not believing her eyes and ears right now. What was wrong with this man?
Taking the seat next to her, "I wonder what you did that could have caused you to catch the cold. Did you perhaps take a ride on a horse in the early hours of the morning?"
Kidaya glares at him. 'What are you trying to do?' She questions him in her mind.
Smiling and taking a seat on the other side of the chair. "Ride on a horse?" laughing. "Kidaya is as fragile as she looks. It takes two people to get her on a horse." Eddna says.
The Second Prince scoffs at the words he just heard. "Really?" he questions with mocked surprise. He could still remember vividly what an excellent horsemanship she has, and how she had jumped off and climbed the horse with ease. There was nothing fragile about this girl beside him. "You are scared of horses?"
Kidaya could see the proud hidden smile he had on his face. The smile annoyed her so much she felt like smacking him to get rid of it. But she couldn't. sighing, she takes her hand to her head. "Oh no, I think I still have the chills," Kidaya says leaning back against the chair.
Prince Vaughn scoffs at her coy act. 'Ignoring me are you? Fine!' Smiling, "I thought you would, that is why I had the Royal Chef prepare you some snacks and Tea." Kidaya snaps her eyes back at him at his words. "Come in." Prince Vaughn says, his voice a bit loud.
The door to the drawing room opens and a butler walks in with a tray in his hand. He walks over and places the tray on the table close to the Diamond, then he bows. And just then, Ralph walks into the drawing room. He had been working on some documents in his study.
The smell of the tea gets to Kidaya and she narrows her eyes at the tea kettle. There was no way it was what she was thinking. Eyes on the butler who had walked in with the tray, "What tea is this?" Kidaya asks.
Even before the butler could answer, the Second Prince cuts in. "It is Lapsang Souchong Tea." He announced with a smile.
Eddna and Joan gasp from their seats, eyes immediately turning to look at Kidaya who glares at the Prince.
"What did you say?" Kidaya questions him.
"Lapsang Souchong tea." The Prince states. "I had the Royal chef prepare it for you."
Hands gripping her gown tightly, she turns to the entrance of the drawing room to look at her brother who looks down guiltily. Trying so hard not to let the others in the room see her glaring at a royal, she puts on a smile before turning to look back at the Prince. "That was so thoughtful of you, Your Grace, I will have it later."
Even with her smile on, he could still feel the glare from behind her eyes. Smiling back, he shakes his head. "No way. I have to see you take at least a cup." He says picking up the teapot and pouring the tea into a cup until it was filled. "What will I tell the first Queen if by tonight her Diamond cannot still attend another soiree because of the cold? She may have my head." He says stretching the cup to her. "Have at least a cup." She was about to protest again but he cuts in. "It is a royal command." He says with a smile.