A Kingdom's Expectations & A Shocking Revelation {Sequel}

Chapter 2

When I exited the breakfast room, I informed the servants that their positions would be required. Sebastian was in conversation with a raven-haired lady that I knew not of. What I did know, was that she had black tresses that curled and spiralled. What I did know, was that her figure was slim and lithe. What I did know, was that her laughter was musical and low, her green eyes were fixed upon Sebastian and her hand lightly touched upon Sebastian's own as they talked. 

I immediately disliked her. 

"Sebastian," I said warmly, keeping my gaze on him so that I would not scratch the woman's eyes out. A lady knows another lady well. But a lady with ill-begotten thoughts knows another lady with such intentions even better. "Why, you must introduce me to your friend." 

"Oh, you have returned," he noted cheerfully. "Rosalia, this is the daughter of the Duchess of Canterbury."

"Please, call me Grace," the Duchess's daughter replied warmly, throwing me a look of affection. "I would not want to be on such formal terms with such a personage as yourself, Princess. I feel we could be great friends already." 

"I shall leave you two ladies to it," Sebastian announced, completely oblivious to the fact that I did not want to be left at it with 'Call me Grace' the Duchess of Canterbury's daughter. "I am sure the King will be eager to talk to me." He gave me a wink and sauntered off.

"Rosalia - may I call you Rosalia?" she started in, folding her arm around mine. The urge to throw her hand off me and accuse her of assaulting a royal personage did cross my mind.

"If you wish," I granted through a smile. It was surprising how well I was holding up. Here I had discovered her making eyes at my husband, yet I had not whipped out a rapier and challenged her to a sword-fight right there and then. It might have to do with the fact that such instruments of pain were not available to me and also because that was not what a princess of England did.

I briefly wondered whether a princess of England was allowed to backhand errant duchess's daughters that annoyed her.

"It is wonderful to meet such a person as yourself," she continued, steering me through rooms. As we entered one of the many living rooms, Grace guided us to sit at a cream settee, thankfully letting loose of my hand to primly set her own in her lap. "You see, Court can be such a - how can I put it - difficult place to make friends in. But, the Prince has told me so much of your character, I feel like I know you already."

"Has he now?" I replied, my mind ticking over her words. "You and Seb- Tristan- you are old acquaintances, are you not?"

"Very old acquaintances," Grace assured me, laughing a little. "Why, we have known each other since were both in swaddling clothes. My father was always on good terms with the King, and so that passed down to the children. So, I do know Prince Tristan quite well... these kinds of bonds- well, you know how the saying goes. The old is always better than the new."

Now, that, had been a threat.

I eyed this Duchess's daughter, with her sculpted features and delicate palettes of colour. This was not borne of my own imagination- her little comment had been directly pointed at me. Well... two could play at that game. Or, one could break the rules, produce a rapier and start slashing the others to ribbons.

Try fencing with your words then, when I have the cold steel.

"Duchess," I began, wondering exactly how I could phrase 'stay away from my husband and I' while including the theme of 'I already despise you and your witchy, wretched hair'.

"Grace," she corrected smoothly.

Oh, Duchess, that was the politest word I was using to name you.