Why The Hell is Fate Trying to Kill Me?

Chapter 64 Pathetic, Aurelia

I turned away from the weapon racks while my mind was still reeling from the encounter. A wolf was lost from her pack. The words echoed in my mind. I needed answers about Valerie and Cassius, and I would find them in the book. However, the book was at home, not in here. They were one of the twelve figures.

"My lady," Lady Octavi whispered, her hand gently touching my elbow. "Some eyes of the court are turning."

She was right. The few ladies remaining near the edge of the clearing were watching me.

"Let's continue to follow, my mother," I said.

We walked towards the large structure.

As I stepped inside, it was severely warm and smelt of perfumed wax. The air hummed with the low whisper of gossip, influence sharper than any sword.

"Lady Aurelia!"

A voice called out from a table near the entrance. It was Lady Clara. She waved with her silk handkerchief. Beside her sat Lady Hillaria, looking utterly miserable in a dress of stiff blue, clearly wishing she were in armour and riding with the men to hunt.

As I approached, I saw Lady Clara sharply tap Lady Hillaira's shoulder. Lady Hillaria immediately straightened her spine.

I walked over to them. Lady Octavi took her position standing behind my chair, while Adel moved to pour tea. I took my seat.

Lady Clara offered me a beaming smile, then glanced toward Lady Octavi, who stood rigid behind me.

"Lady Octavi," Lady Clara said with her polite tone. "How about you take a seat, too? You are a noble and a lady... Surely you do not need to stand guard while we are merely drinking tea?"

Lady Octavi said. "My place is at my lady's back, Lady Clara."

"Lady Clara is right," I interjected calmly, tapping the empty chair beside me. "Sit, Lady Octavi. We are inside the pavilion, not in some sort of battlefield."

Lady Octavi hesitated but eventually pulled out the chair. "As you command, my lady."

"See?" I said, taking a sip. "Much better."

As Lady Octavi took a seat, Lady Clara immediately said, "Uh...All the ladies must be envious, as we share a table with the most esteemed Lady Octavi."

Lady Hillaria grabbed a small tart from the tray, ignoring the silverware entirely, and shoved half of it into her mouth.

"Envious?" she mumbled, crumbs instantly falling onto her stiff blue bodice. "For what? Sitting with a knight who let herself get bested by a mere lieutenant?"

THUD.

Suddenly, I heard the distinct, heavy sound of a heel connecting with a shin under the table. Lady Clara's beaming smile didn't waver for a second, though her eyes flashed a warning at Lady Hillaria.

"What Lady Hillaria means to say," Lady Clara corrected, her voice dripping with forced sweetness, "is that it is a rare honour to be in your presence, Lady Octavi."

"We already had tea time together with Lady Octavi in the palace, do you remember that?" Lady Hillaria grumbled while rubbing her leg beneath the tablecloth, but she didn't back down. She swallowed the tart aggressively.

"I mean what I said," Lady Hillaria persisted, her voice dropping to a serious tone as she turned her sharp gaze to Lady Octavi. "It bothers me, The Grandeur Sparring. I fought Milo, too. He is good, yes. But you? You are the Hawk. Watching you lose that match... it felt like watching a lion fold to a cat."

She leaned forward. "Did you slip? Or did you throw it?"

Lady Clara's hand shot out, clamping firmly onto Lady Hillaria's forearm and squeezing it hard enough.