Crowned Prince | hendery

15: Noble Ladies

The garden was cleaned and decorated.

She's oversaw the cleaning of the glass garden for several days now. Originally she just planned to invite the ladies to the covered area by the fields, but it was the countess that suggested using the glass garden. Though she did not expect for the queen to allow her to use the glass garden as it was a gift for her daughter, but with enough pleading from the countess, the princess was allowed use.

Even as she convinced the queen, the countess had to return to the northern county as her children were left there alone with Julian. The count was left here to act as Hendery's right hand, while they planned how to enforce security in the kingdom.

Thus, it allowed the perfect plan for her to begin the first step into freeing herself from the shackles of titles.

She waits, she tries not to walk back and forth in hopes to calm herself down, but that wasn't any ladylike of her to do. Instead, she awaits the presence of the first few ladies. As it would not be respectful to let a princess wait.

Just as her mind was going through the idea of manners and how different it would be with Sui, the first two guests entered the garden. In an instant she stands straight and welcomes them with a smile. They were two familiar faces, ones she has interacted with during the gathering of the lands. They were sporting gowns nearly as gorgeous as her own, but not exactly as hers. They were two baroness of the lands of Qian, wives of the baron and his brother. It did not take long for the three other guests to arrive, the daughters of the dukedom of Liu and the sister of the count of Dong.

The table was now filled with gorgeous young ladies. They were greeting formalities, as they usually did during the gathering of the lands.

It was as usual, but it was extremely different. There was a certain air of tension that loomed over them. It was unlike the lightness of their interaction during the gatherings, rather it felt as if they were all reserved towards her.

The baroness from Qian exchanged looks with the other wife of the son of the baron, before she looked at the princess. "Talk has been going around the nobles in the last month about the crowned prince."

Taeha does not change her expression, but she did feel her ear twitch at the mention of the prince.

"I do not think it would be appropriate to speak of his highness in the manner that has been going around." The daughter of the duke, Tricia, gives the two a look.

However, Taeha wanted to hear of the stories going around about the crowned prince. "His highness would not mind," she interjects the young daughter of the duke, "he is not one to dwell on small gossip among nobles."

However, the baroness now appears as if she didn't want to talk.

"My cousin," she emphasizes without changing her demeanor and even calmly sipping her tea, "may appear as if he does not listen, but I assure you his highness has a fragile heart."

Taeha takes a deep breath in. "Lady Liu, there appears to be a misunderstanding here. I do not think my fiancé," this time it was her who emphasized her relationship with the prince without a change in demeanor, "would act upon what has been simply said and not proven. Yes, he does have a soft heart, but it does not mean that he does not better himself to appear stronger."

All she simply wanted to do was turn the conversation towards the prince and express her displease with her marriage, yet it did not sit right with her that his own cousin was treating him as if he was weak. Hendery was far from being weak.

"Your highness, the prince since his youth has often shed tears even with a simple scratch and tear." Lady Liu puts her drink down. "My eyes are witness to his softness." Her words were implying much more than his soft heart.