The Vengeful Princess

Chapter 23: The Poisson-ous Snake

"Rose?"

The world came back in one warped rush. I blinked, inhaling the pungent scent of roses raining down on me. Amelia looked over from where she held a pink perfume bottle mid-pose, eyes wide and expectant.

"So? What do you think?"

"Think of..?" I glanced over at the gold embossed envelope laying on Amelia's dresser. Invitations to Queen Reina's private afternoon tea tasting. It had been mysteriously delivered last night, slid under the lucky recipients doors as they slept. Amelia and I were lucky enough to have received an invitation each.

"The perfume! Rose, are you even paying attention?" Amelia set the bottle down and placed her hands on her hips, frowning.

Grace looked up from her position on the lounge with Ivy and smiled. "It's perfect, Amelia."

"I'm so nervous my hands are shaking. What do you think that she has asked us to tea for?"

I recalled what Alex had told me at the Fall Ball, "I think she's here to find one of her nephews a partner."

"You truly think so?" Amelia gasped, letting out a squeal. "Wait. Does that mean I am a potential candidate?"

Grace jumped up, the pink chiffon fabric she had been working on slipping from her lap to the floor. "That's fantastic! I'm so happy for you Amelia."

"Grace! Be careful with that gown!" Amelia let out a wistful sigh. "Prince Alex's inaugural season is coming to an end soon. There are only 25 of us left and I'm sure that many of the other girls are scared to leave without a match. To be able to find a suitor, especially one with ties to royalty... I'd be happy even if he is tenth in line to the crown and would never even touch the throne in his lifetime."

"Royalty or not, all that matters is that they treat you well."

"That's easy for you to say." Amelia suddenly spun around to face me, grabbing my hands. "You will help me, right? Right, Rose? You know how important this opportunity is for me. And you certainly don't need it since you have Prince Alex."

"Of course." I was a little hurt that Amelia had to ask to make sure. I had been helping her, all this time. Grace must have seen the hurt on my face as she sent me a sympathetic smile.

"Amelia has just been really stressed lately. I'm sure she didn't mean anything by it." She reassured me quietly as I helped her with the stitching on the chiffon fabric. Ivy had been busy with handling all of Amelia's other requests, leaving her with practically no time to make Amelia a new gown for Queen Reina's tea. I glanced at Amelia, currently preoccupied by Ivy taking her measurements, then looked back to Grace.

I had never wanted to tell someone something so badly, but I couldn't. Not yet. Not while Lieutenant Greyson was still out there. I needed Grace to continue her flirtation with him now more than ever. If Lieutenant Greyson really had the letter, then Grace just became my most important ally.

"Next time you're around Lieutenant Greyson, could you please keep a lookout for a letter? It would be one that he keeps hidden, or on his person."

"A single letter? Rose, do you realise how many letters the Lieutenant would receive?"

"It should have the King's royal seal and the General's royal seal on it."

"I'll do my best."

♕

The Lotus Pavilion was one of the few beauties that King Francis kept from my father's reign. The red pavilion was built on top of a strong rock foundation amongst a lotus filled pond, as suggested by its name. The sun was at its peak in the clear blue sky, its rays bouncing off the pond water. Cicadas chirped peacefully, blending into the harmony of the court musicians in the background.