Ellora’s eyes were still locked on Layla. There was a pause before she finally exhaled, her hand on her temple. "Layla," she spoke in frustration, "are you still clinging to that idea? I told you to forget it."
Layla folded her arms as she smirked. "And I told you, dear sister, that I won’t." She glared at Ellora. "Besides, I am still a princess of our holand. Queen Dowager Lilian won’t stop ."
Roseria, who had not spoken a word the entire ti, nervously glanced between the two won. Her fingers played with the hem of her gown, wondering if she really should go. But when Layla reached her hand out toward her, her heart skipped slightly.
"Co on, Roseria," Layla urged. "Nobody will notice. Just move forward."
Roseria hesitated an extra mont. "Do you not want to see your brother?" Layla quesntioned her with a smile, but she was slowly nodding, still not sure about visiting Lucien, as Lilian has already denied her. Roseria nibbled on her lips while she gave it a thought, ’Maybe she can handle mother.’
So she slipped her hand out and grasped Layla’s, who smiled back at her. Roseria turned to look at the gathering to see if anyone was watching her or not. As her gaze moved along the crowd, she saw Dorothy eyeing her, who, on the other hand, was too eager to listen in on what Ellora and Layla were saying to really be attending the party. Before she could overhear more, however, the chatter of the won beside her finally snapped her back.
"Lady Dorothy, what do you think about your son Matthew?" One of the ladies interposed with a sweet smile.
"Yes," another added. "Surely you have thought about soone suitable for him?"
Dorothy adjusted her dress as her hand ran down her braid, pushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. This was the actual reason for her visit to the event, as she wanted to find a good match for her son. Although she disliked Lilian, she could not afford to miss a chance to make important connections by rejecting Belle’s invitation, which could be done by her husband himself, but Dorothy wanted to look for her daughter-in-law herself.
In the anti, Ellora continued to attempt to thwart Layla. "Layla, you realize this isn’t a good plan," she whispered firmly. "Taking Roseria to Lucien’s estate will only create trouble. You know how Aunt Lilian is. She coddles , yes, but even I can’t guess how she’ll react to this."
Layla arched a brow, with amusent dancing in her eyes. "Are you scared?"
Ellora’s mouth opened slightly, taken aback by the question. Then, with a harsh breath, she shook her head. "That’s not the point."
"It is," Layla replied. "You are the queen. You have more power than you realize. If Aunt fawns over you, she won’t be upset with you for sothing as insignificant as this."
Ellora’s eyes narrowed. "Lucien is not insignificant."
Layla just smiled. "That’s why I’m going to your place."
Without another thought, Layla grasped Roseria’s hand tighter and turned on her heel, ushering the young princess out of the big hall towards the waiting carriages. Roseria trailed behind; her heart was racing in her chest, half excitent and half fear. Ellora watched them leave; Belle too saw that but did nothing to stop them; she then smilingly approached Ellora, sensing that this might have made her nervous. Belle tried to make it easy for her: "Let them go. Madam Lilian is very protective of her daughter Roseria but that doesn’t an she would be harsh on her, and anyway, if Layla is there, Lilian might choose not to show her cold side, Queen." "Why?" Ellora wanted to know, but she saw Belle’s eyes moved just to show that people are waiting to greet their queen. Ellora smiled, understanding the clue "Oh yes, Lady Belle," Ellora marched towards the armchair on which Lilian was sitting just minutes before. Soon, won gathered around her, greeting her.
The carriage Layla arrived in was waiting patiently outside, its driver adjusting the reins. Layla didn’t hesitate. She assisted Roseria into it and then climbed in behind her, closing the door behind them.
"To Lucien’s estate," Layla told the driver.
The coachman paused for only a mont before inclining his head. "Yes, Your Highness."
As the wheels of the carriage began to move, Roseria peeked out of the small window, watching as the estate disappeared behind them.
"It’s still midday," Layla said, leaning back against the cushioned seat. "We’ll be fine going through the forest."
Roseria swallowed. "What if sothing happens?"
Layla smirked, adjusting the sleeves of her gown. "Then it’ll make the trip more exciting, won’t it?"
Roseria wasn’t certain whether she should be relieved or more anxious. Either way, the point of no return had now been reached.
She sat anxiously in the second carriage; her fingers were gripping the fabric of her dress tightly. She had been watching to see if she could see the golden-trimd carriage ahead, making sure to keep her mother from not knowing that she was also going to Lucien’s estate, as this ti she really wanted to et her brother; after all, she misses him. Her heart pounded with excitent and nervousness, both.
"Are you certain about this, Your Highness?" Layla asked, sitting beside her, adjusting the delicate lace of her sleeves. "If Queen Dowager finds out you sneaked away, she will not be pleased."
Roseria swallowed, forcing herself to nod. "I must go," she said, her voice firm despite the hesitation in her eyes. "It has been so long since I last saw Brother Lucien. I don’t even know how he is doing."
Layla sighed. "Lucien is... difficult. You know that."
"He was not always that way," Roseria murmured, looking down at her hands.
Layla glanced at her, noting the sadness in her voice, but said nothing.
Lilian’s carriage moved steadily on the road, the wheels creaking softly as they rolled over patches of gravel as the road to Lucien’s estate was uneven, the ride a little bumpy. Inside, she sat stiffly with her arms crossed. She had no idea that another carriage followed behind hers.
Lilian’s fingers tapped against the armrest of the carriage; her eyes were darkening as she stared at the passing scenery outside.
She clicked her tongue in annoyance, turning her face toward Edgar, who sat rigidly across from her, his hands folded in his lap. "Why did you have to bring it up in front of everyone?" she snapped. "All these years of service, and you still haven’t understood that Lucien’s na alone stirs unnecessary attention. It suffocates ."
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