𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆

EMPRESS-IN-WAITING ~12

♡𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐲♡

I adjusted my dress, brushing it out as I uncomfortably looked around the lavishly decorated drawing room. Everything was either gold, white or a mix of gold and white, and by everything I mean everything. The table covers and seats were also white and gold. I never knew it was possible to get sick of seeing colors. I let out a quiet sigh and fixed up a smile as the Lady's maid walks in with a whole tray of tea, scones, biscuits, pies and little cupcakes.

She carefully places them on the table before me and I found myself feeling even more uneasy as she kept stealing glances my way. Some were more subtle than others. She handed me my cup with a little salsa propped under it, and to my dismay the color of the tea set was white with gold rim outlines. I swallowed down my distaste and held onto the cup as she poured in a light brown steaming liquid.

She walked off soon after assuring me her Lady was on her way. As I stared at the hot liquid I wondered why I had accepted this invitation in the first place, oh yes I remembered. Marchioness Cordelia had been with me in the gazebo when Elijah came to us with the invitation letter from Madame Chandler, inviting me for tea. She looked like I had taken her scone right off her plate when I had spoken about rejecting the invitation. She proceeded to explain who Madame Chandler was after she was done gaping at me when I confessed I didn't know who she was.

Apparently the House of Chandler owned the most lands in the kingdom after Darius and they were solely in charge of supplying grain to the entire kingdom so least so say they were wealthy. Their ancestor was one of the founding wolves of Bludhàven alongside Darius and so their name was well known and respected throughout the kingdom. As if their wealth and name was not enough they also had very high standing in the social environment, the wife of Master Chandler- Madame Eloise Chandler was at the top of the kingdom's social ladder. She was said to hold the very first tea party of every social year and she also organized the last balls of the debutante season. She was a big deal apparently and when she heard about Darius and my marriage in a week's time she just had to meet me, at least that's what her lady in waiting told me when she lead me to this extravagant and brightly embellished drawing room.

After Marchioness Cordelia expressed her sadness when the invitation was for me only she insisted I let her pick out what I would wear and I obliged her. She had picked out one of the dresses we got from the Mercer and it was breathtaking. I was curious to see what she had in mind for my hair but I was satisfied when she twisted my curls into a braided, updo sophisticated bun that made me look older and more poise.

So now here I was, sitted and waiting for Eloise Chandler and her sister in law, who I heard was my age mate. The Madame Chandler was significantly older than I was but I made a mental note to put my etiquette classes to good use.

I brought the petite cup to my lips and hesitated as the sweet aroma filled my senses. Taking a sip the hot liquid warmed my insides, traveling to my throat where it burnt a path straight to my stomach where it settled and had successfully sweetened my taste buds. I hummed in approval, emptying the cup in a few seconds and immediately regretting it. Sugars, was it bad etiquette to empty the whole cup? Or was it seen as improper to not empty it?

The door swayed open and the sound of heels hitting the polished marble floors in sharp noises reached my ears. I turned my attention to watch Madame Chandler stroll elegantly into the room. Her posture was perfect, her hair styled to perfection, her face looked like it had been sharply carved from the finest of stones. I snapped myself out of my gawking and pushed myself to stand before her and somehow she managed to make me feel so miniscule, not only in size but also in energy. She had this aura that consumed the room and made it feel a lot smaller, even though it was large. I straightened my back to appear the least bit taller but it was a waste because she easily looked more powerful.