The Kingmaker System
Chapter 199 - 198. I’ve Got Fans (3)

Chapter 199: 198. I’ve Got Fans (3)

The hectic days of office work were growing more and more strenuous but there was one good thing that apart from the war, everything else was still peaceful.

The two Underworld Lords were in their places now and I had gotten the affiliation of both of them. The only one who remained was Lord Hawke or Count Wallace Nash who had sent me an invitation for a meeting as the year end meeting time was getting close.

Unlike the last time there would be a new face appearing so, he might be wondering what to do.

I was at my father’s house relaxing a bit from all the paper work and was shocked to know that I had invitations for tea parties from the ladies. I discarded all of them except for one which seemed a bit out of place.

It was an invitation from Princess Colette, I was tempted to rip it apart but I simply decided to ask my maid to write an apology letter saying that I was sick so, I couldn’t attend.

I didn’t have time to waste on frolicking in stupid kiddy parties.

Or so, I thought but I saw a familiar name on the list of the attendees. Miss Brielle Nash was going to attend the party.

Brielle was the child whom I had run into at the Royal palace after she was verbally abused by the haughty Princess. I couldn’t help but feel as if she would be in trouble if she attended this party. I still recalled the way she was crying and how Colette and her friends were looking down at her.

Poor thing, didn’t even have the luxury of rejecting.

I sighed as I looked at my maid who was giving me an inquistive look.

"Write a reply for this, I’ll be attending it." I said holding up the invitation from Princess Colette.

The maid looked a bit hesitant and she asked, "Are you sure, My Lady?"

Everyone in the household knew I wasn’t a fan of social activities, rather they thought that I would disappear at times to go and reside in the family’s private villa in the country side whenever my condition grew bad.

"Yes, it’s from the Princess. I should start indulging myself into such activities at least on the minimal basis." I told her and she bowed once before she left the room.

After a couple of days, I was dressed up in a beautiful purple dress with a velvet coat and a hat over my head. I didn’t want to dress up but since it was a party at the Emerald palace I couldn’t just let my father’s reputation suffer by wearing a simple dress.

I stepped out of my room and found my father in the hall.

"Father?" I walked up to him.

He wasn’t going to the party with me so, I guess he was worried that I might be bullied by the Princess or someone.

"You look so beautiful." He smiled as he sat on his knee in front of me.

"Thank you, father." I smiled back at him.

My hair was tied back in a braid and he gently tucked a stray strand behind my ear.

He seemed like he wanted to say a lot of things but in the end he simply released a deep sigh and held my hand in his.

"Have fun."

"I will,"

He escorted me till the carriage outside and helped me step inside.

"Come back safely." He said and I nodded.

"Don’t worry, father. I’ll be back soon."

I looked at Sir Rudyard who was accompanying me as my knight as he sat in front of me.

"Don’t get involved unless you are called, all right?" I spoke to him making his eyebrows jump.

"Yes, My Lady." He replied quietly.

The party wasn’t going to be a quite one, I knew some sort of a scene was inevitable to happen. Princess Colette would find some way to entertain herself and that would include some child getting traumatized.

I sighed and turned my head looking out of the window.

The snow had started falling in the capital now so there were slick roads and accumulated snow at the sides of the streets.

It was quite peaceful if not for the war that was waging at the borders, if only my brother were around. We could have played in the snow, I never had a chance to play the classic snow games of making snowman or snow fights with Rune.

I shook my head and pushed away those thoughts and focused on thinking of the kind of things that could happen at the party.

Before long, we were entering the Royal palace and heading towards Emerald palace. I could see some carriages already there and a few young ladies being escorted inside.

I got down from my carriage and looked at Sir Rudyard who gave me his hand. We walked inside the huge building which seemed just as grand as the Pearl palace but it lacked the size.

There was not much snow accumulated in the areas near the palace and it was because of the magic stones that kept the whole place warm, even the gardens.

I walked inside the palace and reached in front of the double doors which opened up and I saw a lot of ladies of my age inside chattering and giggling behind their fans.

The scent of sweets, flowers and the expensive perfumes that wafted from everywhere around made my stomach twist. I already wanted to return home.

"Oh, my look! It’s Lady Aurelius."

"Lady Aurelius!"

Ah, I’m caught.

The young ladies gathered around me and I put on a smile.

"How do you do, Lady Aurelius? It’s been so long."

"It’s not fair, Lady Aurelius. I sent you various invitations for tea parties but you always declined!"

"My, Lady Aurelius! Have you lost weight? Why do you look so pale?"

I looked at the ladies who kept shooting questions at me.

"Now, now, what’s going on here?" I heard a familiar voice and my smile froze.

The girls quickly parted and I saw Colette Vanesa Jun Marismus standing there dressed in a purple dress too with her blonde hair flowing freely down her back and the amethyst gemstones twinkling on her dress.

"Glory to the star of Sestia, Your Highness. I’m Reina Aurelius, daughter of the Aurelia Duchy. Thank you for inviting me to your tea party." I executed a perfect curtsy before her.

My Dragon’s blood sizzled a bit under my skin as I was bowing to a human but I kept calm.

"Hm? So, you’re the famous frail Lady who couldn’t even step out of her house? How pitiful!"

I could see the glint in her eyes as she looked at me with a condescending gaze whole hiding her mouth behind her fan.

"It’s good to see you healthy enough to come all the way here, Lady Aurelius. Why don’t you eat and do something about your pale skin?" She said gesturing towards the buffet table.

A vein popped in my head but I kept the smile, "I’m grateful to hear your concerned words, Princess. But I was born pale so, please don’t be so worried."

I saw as her eyes grew sharp and she said, "I’m the Princess of this nation so, it’s my duty to look after those who are weak."

I smiled, "I’m honored to have your concern, Your Highness."

Her eyes narrowed a bit before she turned and walked off after telling me to enjoy the party.

I looked around and spotted Brielle with another two girls standing at a distance talking quietly, they almost seemed like outcasts. I wanted to talk to Brielle but it seemed like it wouldn’t be easy with Colette and all of my fangirls around.

Brielle’s head turned as if noticing my stare and her eyes met mine, I gave her a smile and she smiled back but I could see an almost sympathetic seeming look on her face.

I couldn’t understand why but she turned away quickly.

The large table was arranged for the girls to sit and have some tea with all kinds of desserts and treats on it. Some of the girls were already seated, the rest girls who were hovering around me walked with me to the table and gathered around me with treats.

I smiled and ate the sweets that they grabbed for me all the whole feeling a sharp gaze on me.

The host of the party was being ignored.

"Lady Aurelius, try this it’s really delicious!"

"Eat this too!"

"Your dress is so beautiful!"

"Even the color suits you!"

"How can someone be so adorable, Lady Aurelius!"

I almost chuckled hearing the girls fawning over me all the while I was well aware of the gaze that was boring holes into my skull.

"Why don’t you take a seat now? The tea will be served." Colette announced and the girls who were around me turned to look at her.

It seemed as if they forgot about her, they apologized and took their seats while Colette gave me a cold stare.

The tea was served and I inhaled the fragrant scent of the rich red liquid watching the steam rising from it.

"It’s an expensive tea that we had imported from Mordino. They say that the one who drinks this tea can experience the warmth of the golden sands." Colette announced.

"It is indeed quite fragrant, Your Highness!"

"Yes, I can only close my eyes and feel myself standing on the golden sand dunes."

I was tempted to scoff at their words but the tea itself was quite good and besides, it was from Miri’s land so, I wasn’t going to say anything.

The girls started talking about the current trending things and I ignored them as I sipped my tea silently.

"I know, my brother had finally awakened his powers too, so I am sure he will return victoriously!" I heard Colette bragging.

I knew she was lying, her brother Carlos hadn’t awakened his power. It was a lie spread by the Queen to not let her son’s reputation fall and also because she couldn’t watch a concubine’s son growing stronger.

As for her brother returning victoriously... I would see how that happens.

I was almost lost in my thoughts when I heard Colette call my name.

"What about your brother, Lady Aurelius?"