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To begin their plans, any loose threads must be knotted close. The same did for Diana's brother. His body was cremated and stored in a jar, which Diana will keep for now and hold a proper ceremony once she returns to Alcotta.
"He's still an Alcotta no matter what," she said. Yet no matter how she hugged the urn nor her words were sweet-sounding, Diana's face was indifferent. Regarding the ruling of the territory, Diana said that the long tine family butler held the reign. Diana wrote the letter about Michael's fate and that she was now engaged to the second prince.
The people would probably rejoice over the news of betrothal rather than be saddened by Michael Alcotta's death. Nobody would care about a ruler who gambled and piled the debts of their territory, due to his terrible business failures and gambling.
As for now, their first objective was to visit the royal family for formality. The Silver Palace, where the second prince's residence was on the east of the main palace, closer to the walls that enveloped the whole royal residence. Distance wise, it was much farther than the Ruby Palace where the king's harem was, while the reigning queen and the crown prince resided with the king in the Gold Palace.
The residence itself spoke of the treatment among the royal children. Despite having a great appetite for women, the king sired only three children. Niccolus, the crown prince, Alexander treated as a spare, and Princess Kirien, now married off to the duke of Northern borders, infamous for his cruelty.
The rarity of king Augustus offsprings despite bedding different women caused rumors that the king himself had fertility problems. With such conditions, Xander and Princess Kirien were taken in despite having commoner mothers now both dead. Having similar circumstances, Xander and Kirien had a harmonious relationship. Even after the princess' political marriage, the two kept contact through letters.
Despite being far from the capital, Diana knew all of it. She knew things of the past, present, and future, especially to the man sitting across her in the carriage.
"Nervous?" he asked, who never let his eyes off her.
"Are you?" she asked back.
Xander glanced at the magnificent castle from the window. "Not really..."
Unlike his confidence, Diana was scared. After all, they will meet the people they were trying to destroy. And to make a favorable expression, she wore an unadorned gown of dull red with only a silver plated necklace.
For the nobles who had tremendous pride and standard for luxury, silver was considered to be a poor man's treasure. That's why the Xander was mocked for residing in a palace named after it.
Still, it was her best armor. So as not to be eaten by monsters, she must make herself unappetizing and too weak to be devoured. Xander knew it as well.
Once they reached the palace, he assisted her down the carriage and offered his arm, performing his obligation as a gentleman
The servant led them to the garden where Queen Claudette was having her tea with another guest.
The queen stood upon seeing them and, without a word, cupped Xander's face so lovingly. "My son, I missed you."
Xander replied with a polite, "So am I, Your Royal Highness." When the queen gave him enough space, Xander turned to Diana for an introduction. "This is Lady Diana Alcotta, my fiancee."
By the mention of it, the other beautiful woman accompanying the queen, bit her lip, staring at Diana and Xander's linked arms. They say that Lady Therese from the Ducal House of Hearth, was the lady of her generation. With these qualities and a powerful family, she was the most suitable marriage candidate for the crown prince and eventually was betrothed. She was graceful and an epitome of lady's etiquette. Yet, for a moment, the sadness and frustration bled out of her face, and then it was subdued.
Diana's focus remained on the Queen, who seemed to approve her prudish clothing and outdated hairstyle. It was a current trend in the capital for noblewomen to let their hair down and decorate with small flowers. Diana tied her black hair into a bun with nothing but the sun's reflection as her accessory. As the Alcottas live in an island territory and their dilapidated mansion facing the beach, her skin was tanned compared to the women in the capital.
She loves her appearance, but for the moment, her confidence will be a downfall. Diana curtsied, purposely wobbled like a newborn horse with an awkward angle of her body. With a stutter, she introduced herself and added, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Y-Your Royal Highness."
The Alcotta Isles was only a few days away by ship from the capital. But its accent, heavily emphasized on 'r' would sound outlandish, to a point where people laugh, precisely what she was aiming for.
Queen Claudette wanted a helpless girl, with a territory so poor and far off that had no influence in the high society.
Diana Alcotta must be that girl.
But the queen who already knew of these things was calm and granted her a smile that seemed too genuine, Diana could almost believe. "You are beautiful and graceful as your portrait. Sadly His Royal Highness Augustus cannot meet you. He's currently occupied with his duties." She then added condolences about her brother.
They did not hide the fact that Xander killed Michael, glossed over with self-defense, but what they twisted was the reason behind it.
"He was killed while attacking Diana after she refused to help get money from the royal family." That was what Xander suggested, and Diana had the same line of thought.
It was uncertain if the queen accepted the lie. And even if she didn't, it was hard to tell.
She invited them to the two empty seats of four. But Xander declined to attend a short meeting with an official, about the subjugation of the rumored pirates that terrorize the traders.
Xander hesitated to leave. One could say that he was reluctant to be parted with his fiance, but it was more than that. She assured him with a close-lipped smile and a whisper, "It will be fine."
Only then, he agreed. He shifted to the other women in the garden for a farewell. "Your Highness, Lady Hearth, thank you for giving my fiance company."
The queen answered, "Of course, she will be family soon. Right, Therese?"
Lady Therese Hearth forced a meek "...Of course."
Only then Xander left. With him gone, Diana felt like the air was thicker. The servants, a little farther away seemed like they didn't exist at all. All that mattered for her was how Therese forced a smile and asked typical questions–mostly differences in living in Alcotta and the capital.
"I'm glad you get along well. I was worried that Alexander would oppose. He seemed to be not interested in marriage, so I had to force him." The queen herself poured tea. "When I saw the portraits of the candidates, you stood out the most. I felt like you're a warm person. Xander seldom smiles, you'd make him less gloomy."
For a queen who must put the benefit of the kingdom in all choices, choosing her based on gut and emotional speculation was outrageous. The nobles submit their portraits to the royal family once every two years for documentation and financial reports. To save money, the Alcottas paint themselves. In the end, Diana painted her own portrait facing the mirror, and Michael's based on memory. Being a novice and with subpar quality paint, their paintings were bound for ruin. The queen, who was looking for the poorest of nobles, found the best candidate.
With the queen's scheme, Diana was at the bottom to be chosen. "I'm honored, Your Majesty."
The other nodded, then formally introduced Therese on her left as the crown prince's fiancee. The latter managed to keep her emotions and ever so gently greeted Diana.
"Since you two will be in-laws in the future, Therese dear, would you please help Diana be familiar with the capital? I want her stay to be as comfortable as possible for my Xander's sake."
It was such a cruel request. The queen had a gentle smile, but upon a closer look, her eyes curved and glinted into a manipulator's.
Anyone can recognize Therese's real feelings. The fact that she and Xander got along since childhood, people thought the same. Therese curtained her sadness with her long lashes and obeyed. "I would gladly do so, Your Royal Highness."
To fall in love with a childhood friend but then was betrothed to his brother, and now, she was forced to help her true love's fiance a league far lower than her; Therese Hearth was pitiful. Diana, who watched her sorrow, was thankful.
The lady is the perfect heroine.
Diana smiled back at her, more genuinely than she thought. More than herself, Therese and Xander belong together. The two must sit side by side on the throne.
She will make it come true. "Thank you."
"Would you like some tea?" The other lady asked.
For a moment, she was caught off guard by her heavenly beauty, and then answered, ''Yes, please."
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Ellena Odde ❤