Not Giving Into Fate

39- Garden Party

I smoothed down my dress as I look in the mirror, waiting for my attendants to tie my laced heels. The butler is next to me, reading off a checklist before the party starts.

"The chef has finished preparing the appetizers and is currently frosting the cake which would be finish when we need it." He finishes telling me of the house staff. I nod my head, happy to hear we are ready to go.

"Good, good." I say, switching my feet to have the other shoe laced up. "Sir Claude, what of my father and Elric?"

"Your father has some business to attend to and will be a few minutes late, but he will come by later to give the speech." The butler closes his notepad. "Elric should be on his way to collect you. He just finished a meeting with General Sebastian and General Kennan."

I nod my head and my attendant finished my shoes. I watch her stand and move to my jewelry case, picking out the things we discussed earlier.

"Alright. And the guests?"

"They should be arriving any minute now. We should head down to greet them beca-"

The door bursts abruptly and through the mirror I see that Prince Ivan is the intruder. My maid Ana gasps in surprise and I steel myself. He already looks pissed off.

"Who the fuck do you Solons think you are to be undermining me all the damn time!" He slams the door shut and my guard Elliot immediately stands from the couch to get in front of me.

"Your highness, you should calm down." Elliot speaks up, hand resting on his sword. I tell Ana to leave quickly and quietly. She quickly hands over the jewelry and follows my orders.

"Your highness, please follow me-"

"Shut up old man." The Prince sneers at Sir Claude. I raise my hand to stop the butler and I stand. I whisper to him to leave and to get my brother, all while looking through the mirror. I need to stay as calm as possible to not anger the beast.

"Ha!" Ivan scoffs and looks back at my guard. "Get your hand off that sword or I'll throw you in prison for attempting to harm the Crown Prince. You need to get out of this room."

"I'm not leaving-"

"Sir Elliot," I interrupt and grab an earring, turning to face the Prince as I calmly continue dressing myself. "You can leave. I can handle it."

"But-"

"Now please." I urge with a smile before reaching for the next earring. Sir Elliot looks conflicted, but leaves with a huff. The butler is the last to leave, we make eye contact and I can see he's worried. I nod my head and he closes the door. I turn my back to Ivan, watching him in the mirror. "What did you want to discuss?"

"Who set up Duke Stiling and why is Duke Dolan cursed?" He glowers and storms to me. My heart beats quickly in fear, he's unnerving right now and he isn't hiding his anger. This is really bad. I steady my hand and grab my mother's necklace.

"All I know is that Duke Stiling was selling weapons to our enemy. He had it coming." I say carefully.

"He's my captain."

"But he failed you. Would you really want a failure to stand by your side?" I ask, putting the necklace on. It's a loose necklace that hits just above my cleavage. I need to act calm which can hopefully calm him down.

"I understand that he's an enemy of the state, but I should've known about this."

"Ivan," I look back at him. "I'm not a Captain. That falls under my brother's jurisdiction. I cannot command his army. You'll have to speak to him of any transgressions."