"You must be careful with what you say and who you say it to. Let the other won be the ones who run their mouths with gossip, with you only saying what is needed. Duke Collins is still a man to be careful of. A sullied daughter won’t change that," said Jade.
"I know, mother. I have the other ladies in the palms of my hands. I only need to say a little, and they run with it to please . I shall make a great queen for them all to follow," Alia said, joining her mother at the table.
"It is ti that you stop dreaming of what could be and start making moves to secure yourself a good future. Prince Teo will be surrounded by many young won now. I don’t know much about him, and you have never ntioned him," Jade said, worried they might not succeed.
"Well, no one knows much about the second prince other than he is a prince. He has never stuck out to anyone, though he shares his brother’s looks. He was sought after by the won who had no chance at becoming queen," Alia explained.
"I will use your father to find out what the prince’s hobbies are. He is a young, energetic man who will be curious about the ways of won. Your beauty will draw him in, but you must use other qualities to hold his attention," Jade advised Alia.
Alia frowned, displeased with her mother suggesting the sa as her father. "I will not be the crown prince to find my place in the palace. If he is sensible, he will see that I am the perfect woman to sit beside him."
"Oh, you foolish child," Jade shook her head. "There are other beautiful ladies who shall hold his attention. The prince has the right to be picky. The lady who takes the risk to set herself ahead of her peers will beco queen. You must think beyond your peers."
"You don’t have to share a bed with him, sweet child," Jade said, holding Alia’s hand. "But you should feel his head with the idea of it. Make him want you so he shall make you the future queen to have you."
"Is this how you got my father to marry you?" Alia asked.
Jade looked away from her daughter. "No. My father was a businessman through and through, just like your father. They struck a deal which benefited them both. Your father was given a portrait of and agreed to marry . I t him at our wedding."
"That is not-"
"A fairytale way to et?" Jade spoke over Alia. "There cos a ti a lady must stop hoping for such love. Your father’s attention slipped away over the years, but as a lady with children to look after, I did what I must to keep it."
Jade continued, "It is a cruel world for us, Alia. Think of how much crueller it could be if you do not secure yourself a good husband who can take care of you all your life. You will be well taken care of from now until you rest if you marry the prince."
"I am well aware of this, mother. I don’t want to marry a man who cannot provide for . I have had Tyrion taken from , I shall not lose his brother. With your guidance, I shall do what it takes to beco queen. You must help with all your power," Alia said, turning to her mother for help.
Jade rubbed Alia’s hand. "Follow all that I say and you shall be rewarded greatly. We must get you near the second prince, but in a way which doesn’t seem planned."
"Must we plan now? I wanted to et with the other ladies to speak about what Penelope has done. The sooner they speak of her, the sooner she will fall. I cannot believe she ran off with him," Alia said, still in disbelief over the news. "Why did they?"
"I do not know. Your father only learned of Tyrion running off with Penelope from the court. We must wait to find out what else has been discovered. More importantly, if those two will return to show themselves," said Jade.
Jade could think of two good reasons a couple would run away in the middle of the night. If their parents disapproved of the union, or if there was great cause for a rushed wedding.
Jade tried to place when she last saw Penelope. "Alia, when you saw Penelope, was there anything odd about her?"
"Odd? Everything about her is odd," Alia replied. "Last ti I saw her, she pushed soone. I have rightfully kept my distance from her. Why?"
"Nothing. One could only think that the reason for a rushed marriage is that news of a child will co shortly after," Jade shared her thoughts.
Jade had seen this plot one too many tis. Very rarely did couples manage to pull it off.
"No, that would be too daring for a prince and a woman of her status," Jade said, ridding herself of the idea.
Alia did not think it was impossible to occur. Penelope was always so close to Tyrion. "Wouldn’t that be wonderful news, mother? A lady carrying a child well before she is married. How scandalous!"
"It was wise of us not to let you get so close to Penelope and her sisters. Their ways would have rubbed off on you. You must be better than her," said Jade.
"I always have been, mother. I am quite happy," Alia said, her earlier mood having changed.
Regardless of why Tyrion ran off with Penelope, their union was going to be tarnished by all the gossip which would soon start.
"She is a silly girl. She is said to be cursed to bring misfortune, and now Tyrion has lost his place in the palace. Perhaps my words were rely the truth. She is cursed," Alia said, enjoying every bit of Penelope’s pending downfall.
"Enough of this," Jade said, clapping her hands to get Alia’s attention. "We must focus on making you cross paths with the second prince. Only when you have caught his interest can you laugh at Penelope’s misfortunes."
"You mustn’t embarrass or your father. You mustn’t let him down a second ti. Promise that you won’t."
"I won’t," Alia promised.
"Good. With Penelope out of the way, you must only concern yourself with her sister Lily. I have never heard of her being courted by anyone in the palace, so we are in luck. Co," Jade said, standing up. "We must organise your dresses for future events."
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