After the end of our dance, Prince Charles and I paid our respects to the King and Queen again before I was finally given the freedom to enjoy the rest of the party. As Prince Charles had an obligation to attend to the guests, he apologetically left my side to follow the King about.

I would prefer not to socialise unless necessary anyway so I was more than happy to excuse myself after exchanging pleasantries.

As I walked away from the platform and into the crowd, something stopped me in my tracks. I turned and glanced at the backs of the three members of the Royal family as they chatted animatedly with the guests that swarmed up to them.

On the chest of the navy-blue gown that I was wearing etched an intricate crest of a cluster of delicate bell-shaped flowers that bow down on the flower spike. Anyone who lived near a forest would be able to tell what the common woodland plant is. However, the bluebell flower had a deeper meaning in Lorzelea Kingdom, being representative of the Royal family. It’s flower language actually meant gratitude and humility, a strange flower to choose for royalty, you might think, but that had its own story too.

The kingdom was founded on the back and blood of the peasants who rose to overcome the oppressors of their time; an invasive empire called the Tai An Empire. The founding king of Lorzelea Kingdom was the rebel leader that led the winning force against the Empire. To thank the people who have supported him and to remind the people after him to never forget their roots, he chose the bluebell flower to be the Royal crest. 

Right now, I was wearing a dress that had the Royal crest stitched on it, but did that really mean that I was part of the Royal family?

There was a feeling of uneasiness that niggled at my mind. Well, I guess the answer to that will be ‘no’ since my engagement to the Prince is going to be broken before I actually marry into the family. 

That’s right; this was just a temporary situation until Prince Charles requests for our engagement to be broken. Then, I will exit the stage gracefully before prancing off into the sunset after securing a good retirement plan from the Royal family!

I nodded once. It felt good to reaffirm my goals once again. For now, let’s just do the best I can to live life simply.

“Liliana,” a frosty voice called out behind me.

Here she comes… I spun on my heels and the person who came into my sight was none other than my beautiful mother with her fan still intact in her hand. Meanwhile, my father had disappeared and was nowhere to be seen.

That traitor!

With eyes crinkled into crescent moons, my mother complimented me, "Liliana. What a wonderful dance that was. Although it looked a little different from how I remember."

"Ahaha~ Is that so?” I let out a tinkling stream of laughter. “It was all at the moment. I’m sure Mother won't hold it against me."

Mother gripped her fan before leaning forward and whispering into my ear, “His Highness was able to cover the mistakes for you this time, but that is not going to happen every day. My goodness, my heart was in my mouth the whole time you were dancing.”

I pouted, upset that I was once again treated like an irresponsible child. “You fret too much, Mother-” 

Just as I was thinking of how to brush off her worries, a group of ladies who seemed to be searching for something came into our line of sight. The moment they spotted us, one of the ladies waved with a relieved smile. “Rosaline, here you are! We were wondering where you ran off to.” 

As the ladies approached us, the lady at the front of the group placed a gloved hand on her mouth as her eyes widened. "My! Is that your daughter? I couldn’t see her clearly just now, but she looks exactly like you when you were younger!" 

The person who spoke was a woman around my mother’s age with light blonde hair and emerald-coloured eyes. Thanks to the guest list with pictures that my mother made me memorise, I recognised her as Lady Esmeralda, one of my mother's close friends and a Countess.

"If she weren’t engaged to the prince, I’d love to introduce her to my son!" another lady with long silky black hair and sapphire-coloured eyes exclaimed as she grinned mischievously. The petite but high-strung lady was Lady Saphira, a Viscountess and also a friend of my mother since her Academy times.

"Hah. How I wish my daughter were as dependable as yours," a lady with wavy mahogany brown hair and eyes the colour of red rubies sighed. She was Lady Rubina and a person with the highest rank in the group, a Duchess. "All she does is play around with her magic textbooks all day."

My mother gave a dry smile at the comments of her friends. It was refreshing for me to see my mother being in a bind while interacting with her fellow noble ladies. “I’m sorry, ladies. I was too eager to have a chat with my daughter,” she apologised. 

“Now, where were my manners.” She placed an arm behind my back as she introduced, “As you know, this is my youngest child, Liliana. She has not been participating much in social events up till now because of her health, so please look after her kindly.” 

“It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Esmeralda, Lady Saphira and Lady Rubina. I am still young and immature, but I hope to learn much from all of you. Please take care of me,” I gave a deep curtsy as I replied as politely as I could. As a tiny fish in a big pond, it would be best for me to leave a good impression on as many people as I could. When the day comes, and I get my engagement broken, it never hurts to have as many people on my side as possible! 

“How polite!” “Pleased to make your acquaintance too~” “Please take care of us too.” The noble wives oohed and aahed over me like a new interesting creature.

"My ladies, a very good evening to you all. What a wonderful party we have tonight," accompanied by the click-clack of high heels, a sharp voice cut through the conversation. 

I turned towards the source of the voice to see a middle-aged woman with her mauve-coloured hair curled into tight ringlets and piled on her head while carrying a confident smile on her face. 

"Good evening to you as well, Lady Abigail," my mother greeted. Ho ho, from the change in expression on her face, it seems like someone troublesome has arrived.

"I hope you don't mind me interrupting your conversation. I could recognise that red hair from a mile away, and I just had to come over and give my congratulations,” the woman called Lady Abigail laughed while covering her mouth with a hand. 

Although I could feel a palpable drop in temperature, she didn’t seem to mind the chilly expressions on the noble wives and continued, "Now, have I ever introduced my niece and nephew to you ladies?” Turning to my mother, she added, “Although I am sure Lady Rosaline is already well acquainted with them."

Just as I was wondering who were the poor people who had her as an aunt, two familiar faces appeared behind her - aren’t they my tutors? I haven’t seen the siblings with burgundy-coloured hair for about two months because of my injury and the rush in preparation for the ball and was not expecting to see both of them today. 

“Ladies, this is my nephew, Theodore, and my niece, Eleanor Cranford. They are my younger sister’s children. They are Magicians who have just graduated from the Royal Academy last year. They are still young and immature, so please take care of them.”

It was surprising to see both of them all dressed up as they usually wore simple clothes when coming to my house for tuition. Eleanor’s change was particularly surprising. Her chin-length hair was done into a pretty side arrangement, and she was wearing an off-shoulder ball gown that complimented her very well. She was also wearing makeup and fragrance, although she did not usually wear them.

"Congratulations on your engagement to the Prince, Lady Liliana!" Eleanor gave a curtsy as she showed her pearly whites.

Theodore gave a wide smile and bowed before echoing his sister’s words, "My most sincere blessings for your engagement, Lady Liliana."

"It's nothing much, but we hope that you will accept this!" Eleanor handed over a gift box tied with a silver ribbon. "We got you some scented candles."

Then leaning forward, she whispered to my ears. "The shopkeeper says that this scent helps with your sleep. Theodore and I bought these hoping that it will help to soothe your nerves." 

I brightened at her words. "Thank you both!" I had confided in them before about my nerves during important occasions, and it seems like they remembered.

Eleanor placed a hand on my shoulder as she grinned. “And you look really pretty today!”

“Eleanor looks really beautiful today too!” 

At my words, Eleanor only gave a sheepish smile. Hmm? Did I say something that upset her?

"Oh. I think I remember going for your sister's wedding," Lady Esmeralda spoke up, seemingly recalling something. Smiling at Eleanor and Theodore, she asked, "How are your parents doing? I believe your father is a school teacher? Is he still working there?"

"Yes, they are both in the teaching profession now, and they are doing very well, thank you. My parents will be delighted to hear that you are asking about them," Theodore replied politely as he placed a hand over his chest. 

"Humph." At the side, their aunt harrumphs loudly, seemingly in protest. “I wonder if you can call living in that kind of house doing well.” 

Oh ho. This was a classic family drama playing out in front of me right now. 

“It may be too late for your mother, but Eleanor, you have to be more ambitious than her, understand?” 

At that moment, I could see Eleanor gritting her teeth, but Theodore reached to hold her hand firmly, and Eleanor took a deep breath to calm herself down before showing a forced smile.

Her actions didn’t escape Lady Abigail’s eyes, of course. The woman gave a dramatic sigh before saying, “I’m just worried about you, Eleanor. Even if you dislike me now, I'm sure you will thank me someday when you look back at it.”

“Why would I dislike you, Aunt Abigail? You have always been taking care of us,” with a fake smile that did not lose to her aunt, Eleanor answered calmly.

“Mmm…” Lady Abigail seemed to lose interest in her niece and approached my mother instead. “I’m so jealous of you, Lady Rosaline. Your child is so young, but she already has her future secured.” Tilting her head, she continued, "If Eleanor was a few years younger, I wonder if she might have stood a chance to be engaged to His Highness too."

"Haha ha… Aunt Abigail, you shouldn't joke about things like that," Eleanor laughed as she placed a hand on her aunt’s arm, seemingly trying to stop her from saying anything further. 

The noble wives who have been keeping quiet while watching the drama started to make their move. 

"Hmm, there were a few others who were rumoured to be potential candidates, right? I remember Lord Burnham's daughter being a hot favourite," Lady Esmeralda said as she gave a look at Lady Saphira.

Lady Saphira quickly caught on. “Are you referring to the Duke’s daughter who recently deciphered some ancient tomes? What were they calling her? The ‘Genius of the Burnham family’ or something like that?”

"Your daughter was one of the favourites too if I don't recall wrongly."

Lady Rubina massaged her temples. "You know how strong-willed my daughter is. She said that she would rather eat her foot than marry the prince."

“Oh dear, you must be feeling quite troubled,” Lady Abigail comforted while trying to control the smirk on her face.

“I heard that she has been visiting the Queen’s research laboratory frequently to discuss her magical invention. How does it feel to have such an outstanding daughter?” Lady Saphira teased.

Lady Abigail’s smile visibly froze at her statement.

“What matters the most is that she is happy,” Lady Rubina replied indifferently. The other ladies immediately nodded their heads in agreement, and Lady Abigail was forced to voice her agreement as well. 

“Well, no matter the achievements of the other ladies, ultimately it still comes down to the King’s decision,” Lady Esmeralda concluded.

"Now that the King has announced the Prince’s engagement partner, I don't suppose anyone will have other ideas?" Lady Saphira said as she narrowed her eyes at Lady Abigail.

"O-of course," Lady Abigail replied with a slight stutter. “I was just joking, you know.”

“I’m glad to hear that. You never know who might misunderstand your statement as being unhappy with the King,” Lady Rubina said coldly as she gave a thin smile. Her red eyes seemed to glimmer dangerously as she stared down at the other woman.

Even someone as thick-headed as Lady Abigail could hear the warning in her voice. Knowing that she has lost both in status and numbers, she quickly turned to my mother.

With a much more courteous tone, she asked, "Lady Rosaline, I recall you have a son who is about Eleanor’s age? I haven’t seen him around today? I need to thank him for introducing the tutoring job to my niece and nephew. We have been under your care for a while after all."

I could see both Theodore and Eleanor’s change in expressions at their aunt’s question.

Just as I was wondering what this woman was up to now, my mother just smiled faintly.

"You mean Lawrence?" my mother asked. Then pointing to a throng of young noble ladies about Diana's age crowded at the side, she said, "I’m afraid he is busy interacting with the guests. I have hardly had the chance to speak with him since entering this ballroom myself."

Now that I took a closer look, I could see a familiar mop of golden hair sticking out from the middle of the girls. 

Heh... What a popular person.

Lady Abigail looked taken aback. Perhaps realising that she would never be able to compete with the fired-up young ladies, she decided that it was time to excuse herself. "Lord Lawrence seems to be occupied. Perhaps I'll thank him later."

"Please enjoy the rest of your evening, ladies."

The rest of us bid farewell in return before we watched her walk off with Eleanor and Theodore behind her. 

After making sure that their aunt was not looking, Eleanor even turned back and mouthed a “Sorry!” to me before getting called away by her aunt again. 

Are they going to be okay having such an aunt dragging them around? I couldn’t help but be worried for the both of them. They have been excellent tutors, and it would be a shame to see them getting dragged down because of her.

Having peace and quiet returned to the group, the first person who spoke was the sprightly Lady Saphira. 

“Rosaline, I hope that you have the eyes to choose better in-laws.” 

My mother laughed. “Don’t I have the best in-laws already?”

That was true. I nodded silently in my mind. Just that how the noble wives have shown, I guess from today onwards I can officially use the Royal family’s name to bring down anyone who is against me!

Wait wait wait.

Wouldn’t that place me directly on the road of becoming the ‘Poison Lily of the Capital’? I was once again aware of the temptations that laid in my path.

Then, answering Lady Saphira’s curiosity, my mother continued, “Lawrence recommended the Cranford siblings to be Liliana’s Magic tutors. They graduated at the top of the Magician Class last year, and I can vouch for their competency.”

“Hooh~” Lady Saphira narrowed her eyes. “They do seem to be decent people. What a pity their aunt behaves like that.”

Lady Esmeralda looked concerned as she said, "The Viscountess seems very eager to marry her niece off. That poor girl."

"I heard that her family hadn’t had any Magicians in the family for a generation, so she is in a hurry to pair them with a good match,” my mother replied.

"Rosaline, your son doesn't have a fiancee yet, correct? Now that your daughter is already engaged, do you have any plans to find him a match?"

Surprisingly, my mother sighed. "He is at the age where he prefers to handle such things on his own. I'm afraid he won't like it if we are to decide his engagement without his consent arbitrarily."

"We-e-ell, it looks like you don't have too much to worry about," Lady Saphira purred as she cast a meaningful look at the throng of young ladies. 

My mother made an enigmatic smile. "He has always been a child that I don't need to worry about."

"Liliana, can you help me to get a drink?" she asked as she pointed to the drinks counter at the far left of the ballroom. 

I was startled at suddenly being called, but I quickly replied, "Sure, Mother."

*****

I caught less attention than I thought I would as I walked towards the drinks counter. It didn’t mean that I was completely ignored. People still smiled and greeted me, but the greeting was surface and didn’t go past two sentences. I was grateful for that, but at the same time, it struck me how I was being viewed in high society. Not that I couldn’t understand their actions; although I was now the ‘fiancee’ of the Prince, I was still a child. Instead of winning me over, it was probably more worthwhile to win over my family. 

I also noticed that there were very few children present in the ballroom. In fact, I was probably the youngest person around. Hmm, was this ball not suitable for children to attend? Perhaps it was a bigger deal than I thought it was.

As I stood in front of the drinks table wondering what the different colours of the drinks represented, I couldn’t help but overhear the conversations around me. In particular, a group of four men in their twenties standing near the wall who were laughing and speaking without care caught my eye. As I watched them down yet another glass of wine, I was able to understand where their carefreeness came from. 

“Have you seen Baron Wilkerson around today? For a man that you can hear before you see, he has been pretty quiet recently,” a lanky man with sandy blonde hair said as he took a sip from his wine glass.

“Are you serious?” “Where have you been? It was the talk of the town!” His friends guffawed as they teased him for his ignorance.

A rotund man with reddish-brown hair lowered his voice as he explained, “Apparently the Baron’s second son was involved in a human trafficking ring and was caught red-handed by the Prince.”

The man with sandy blonde hair looked incredulous as he asked, “Human trafficking? I didn’t know the Baron had such strong tastes.”

One of the men scrunched up his nose as he asked, “I’ve been thinking, but why would His Highness be involved in something like that?”

“I heard that the Prince was prancing around a small town frantically in October. Perhaps something had happened then?” another man suggested.

I was immediately intrigued by their conversation. Prince Charles in a town in October? Could they be talking about the kidnapping incident? To hear their conversation better, I went around the table and casually crept nearer to them with the wall behind me. The curtains that usually covered the floor-length glass windows were bunched up, so I tried to conceal myself behind one.

The rotund man shrugged. “I’m only saying what I have heard.”

“I also heard that the Baron tried to sever ties with his son to save himself, but in the end, he was found having secret deals with foreign agents and was suspected of tax evasion and import of illegal goods. They are still waiting for the final judgement,  but the Baron will likely be stripped of his land and title and serve time in jail together with his son.”

“Well, from the sound of that, that’s going to be the end of the Wilkerson family,” the sandy blonde man said as he pulled a face.

“Damn right about that!” 

The men laughed like it did not concern the life and death of a group of people. My heartbeat rose as I held the curtain tighter. Was this how high society was like? 

How dazzling; how cruel. 

“And it seems like the King has assigned the Baron’s assets to Duke Burnham to manage.”

“Lord Burnham, mmm. It seems like the King trusts him very much,” a man mused as he stroked his goatee.

“Isn’t it just because Wilkerson’s land is in the south near to where Duke Burnham is based?” another man scoffed. “And his ‘land’ is just a piece of dry rumbling rock. I wouldn’t call that being favoured.”

“You never liked him, did you?” 

“Humph, he looks down on everyone who is not a Magician. When I met him for the first time, he wouldn’t even look at me in the eye for more than a second.” 

“These high nobility who are Magicians are all like that,” the sandy blond man sighed. “We can only blame ourselves for being born without the ability to use magic.” 

Just then, the rotund man started behaving shiftily. While glancing around furtively, he lowered his voice and asked, “What if we can be Magicians?” 

“Huh? What have you been drinking? Did you hit yourself in the head?” His friends laughed as they hit him on his back jokingly.

“It’s just a ‘what-if’,” the rotund man quickly said. “If you can become a Magician, will you take the chance?”

The other men went quiet as they started to think. 

“Well, I definitely would. Then I can smash in all the faces of the people who have been looking down on me,” one of the men grinned as he held up his arm.

“I--diot,” his friend laughed. “That’s not how it works. They chant those things or write those runes or words or whatever you call them.” 

“But that is not possible. All of us went for the test when we were fourteen, correct? If we are able to use magic, we would have known about it,” the man with a goatee commented level-headedly as he studied his friend.

The rotund man laughed awkwardly. “Ha. Haha! Of course. I was just making an example. You don’t have to take it so seriously.”

“Your imagination has gotten better!” the sandy blonde man said as he patted his back. “Ah, I’m bored, shall we switch places?” 

The rest of the group quickly agreed, and I watched as they went off to one of the corridors that would lead to the guest lounges where playing tables and cushy sofas had been set up for guests who wanted to have more private conversations.

Seeing that there was nothing more to see, I decided that I should return to my mother. She should be wondering where I was by now. 

“What are you doing here?”

I don’t think I have ever jumped so high in my life.