Chapter 50: Chapter 50

For commoners, tea party is an useless activity which need an abundance amount of money to hold one.

Furthermore, what the point to eat beautiful bite-size dessert and drink some expensive tea while gossiping each other?

But, of course, nobles have different perspective about that. Tea party is an important to know what is currently happens in the society.

Just like an old saying, love and scandals are the best sweetener for the teas.

The nobles lady traded juicy information to established their position for the one who know everything. It is not a futile activity.

Because sometimes, information is a very valuable commodity. As example, for the Silver's family as the biggest and the most trusted news source. To be exact, they are monopolizing it.

Since a long time ago, Silver family was the first one who know what is happening in this empire and the one who can distribute the news to the people they want. Fashion trends, political situation until love affairs.

Nothing can't escape from them. Not even a tiniest rumor.

Because they were believed, when you control the news spreading, you can control the people.

Aileen Silver thought that today perhaps will be just like another tea party. She was always being a center of attention.

Aside from her family's power, she has a wise charisma with an innocent smile. The result of the election is not announced yet, but everybody treats her like a crown princess.

But now, she knitted her brows when noticed some awkwardness and strange eyes movement toward her. It just small tea party that attended by three nobles daughter. Including her.

Aileen was very curious about the meaning of their gaze. They must be having something interesting to spill.

However, she can't directly ask it because it was against her pride.

Of course, as a part of Silver's family, she has to maintain her image as a noble who knows everything.

Then, she smiles kindly and tell an empty compliment to the host of the party, Karina Marcello, "The tea is so delicious. I really like it, Miss Marcello."

"Thank you, Miss Silver. I'm glad that it suit your taste." Karina's smile fading while Antoinette Lance elbowed her. It was a soft and quick movement, but nothing can't escape Aileen's eyes. "We-well, Miss Silver. Today is such a beautiful day, isn't it?"

"Indeed." Aileen elegantly ate a scone and waiting patiently for Karina to spill the tea.

"We-well, I heard something weird recently. Perhaps, Miss Silver already heard it. About the Crown Prince, who reject the resignation of Miss Lancia from the election."

Aileen flinched. For a second, she looked angry rather than surprised. But, Aileen quickly return to her normal state and calmly sipped the tea.

It is the first time she heard this nonsense, "Miss Marcello, it is not wise to make a baseless assumption since His Imperial Majesty is not to make an official announcement… yet."

Antoinette raised her brows and didn't satisfy with that answer, "Then? It was true? My uncle who works as the Ministry of General Affairs told me that--,"

"Miss Lance," Aileen rudely cut her blabbering. "I believe as a humble servant who work directly under His Majesty's supervision, we can't leak out an uncertain speculation which can stir the public's opinion.

I'm sure Lord Lance must be known about this. None of us want something bad happened if His Imperial Majesty acknowledge this matter. Am I right?"

Antoinette worriedly squeezing her hand, "Ah, well… I see."

"As a part of Silver Family, I apologize for unable to answer your question until we can uncover the truth."

Karina, who notice the heavy feeling that lingering in the air, choose to back off. Provoke Silver's family is the last thing she wants to do. "I understand it very well, Miss Silver. Even if it was the truth, my family and I are always support you."

Of course, you are, Aileen said to herself. Otherwise, everyone will know about your family's crime who smuggling the cotton from the East to reduce your family company's production cost.

But of course, Aileen give them a warm smile, "Thank you, Miss Marcello. I really appreciate it."

"M-me too!" Antoinette excitedly nodded.

"Thank you, Miss Lance. I'm grateful to have both of you around. Anyhow, please forgive me for my rudeness. Seems like I have to go, due to a personal matter which I need to attend to."

Karina then rose from her chair and lightly bow while her hand hold her skirt. "Then, I will escort you to the carriage."

Aileen slowly shook her hand, "No need, Miss Marcello. I feel it would be better not to trouble you more. Then, I bid you farewell, Ladies." She threw a kind smile before walked out from the green house.

"Oh, my! I can't stand her!" Karina said after made sure that Aileen already left the room. "How can she act so high and mighty like that?"

Antoinette sipped her tea, "I know, right. As if she already became the Empress. I really hopes that the rumor is true."

"Yes! Miss Lancia surely can give her a hard time!"

"But, what if the reason of resignation was because they were threatened by Silver's?" Karina tilted her head.

It was reasonable because she knew that every nobles have a dark secret. Either in the ways the made fortune or maybe a secret affair.

But, Antoinette furrowed her brows, "I don't think so. According to my uncle, Lancia's family is clean. I don't know about the details. But, seems like they're always playing safe.

Maybe, it was their real reason. Being a part of the palace seem troublesome for them. They can't keep their neutrality between palace and nobles faction, too."

"You might be right. Ah, I still remember about our first encounter with Miss Lancia. She isn't as bad as the rumor said. Perhaps, Miss Silver pull some string behind her."

Suddenly, Antoinette flinched and tilted her head with astonishment look, "If that's the truth, then. Perhaps, Silver's family can't found their weakness. So, they created one."

Karina didn't answer and start wondering if Lance's family is being threatened by Silvers too. Since, she looks so obidient around Aileen.

Then, she threw her gaze to the blue sky and when catch a glimpse of flying birds, she whispered. "I want to be free too."

Antoinette sipped her tea again with a faint smile. For her, freedom is not an important thing. Nobles woman should be live like a flower inside the greenhouse. Pampered and protected from the harsh rays of the sun.

What point of being a carefree independent bird who need to struggling every day in this mysterious world, just to find something to eat?

For Antoinette, though her family doing something that considered as bad thing, it doesn't matter. As long, she can have this luxurious life, she's willing to do anything. Even it means that she has to lick Aileen's shoe.

--

"Father, I heard something ridiculous today." Aileen said when she arrived at her father's study room.

He let out a heavy sigh,"Yeah, it won't happen if your mother know how to stop her mouth."

"Mother?"

"She spread the rumor that Cecilia was exiled to the South Island. I don't know how, but the Crown Prince heard this and somehow, he's feeling guilty. He pleaded to his father to gave her a second chance."

Aileen almost fainted when notice this. "Im-imposibble."

"I already sent her to our vacation house. Until this problem solved, I forbade her to stepped back to the Capital."

"We need to do something."

"I know." Then he gave her an opened envelope. "Maybe, you can handle this. This letter arrived this morning. It seems like the goddess of fortune still in our side."

Aileen took and examined the letter. From the date that stamped in the envelope, the letter was sent from four days ago. She raised her eyebrow when notice the sender's name. Havana Ambrose written in the front of that brown envelope.