As the carriage arrived at the de Burke manor where Lillian de Burke was hosting her party, some nobles who were just about to enter the manor stopped in their tracks to look at the carriage in front--Krillien's carriage.
They murmured to each other as they recognized the sun insignia on the carriage.
"What is His Majesty doing here?"
"Lady Lillian has never invited a royal family before."
"Have they changed their stance about him?"
"It seems the de Burke household wishes to butter them up." Someone sneered.
Hearing this, Lady Lillian who was just near the entrance slowly walked out to the steps in front of their manor, the nobles silencing their mouths as she walked past them.
Lady Regina, who was inside Krillien's carriage, was escorted by one of the footmen. Lady Lillian blinked.
"Lady Regina," she said, flustered to see her step outside Krillien's carriage. "Where…?" Her head slowly turned to where Lady Regina's finger pointing at Meredith's carriage where a footman was knocking on their carriage.
"I see, well it is good to see you again." Lady Lillian smiled.
"I as well," Lady Regina smiled, waiting patiently for Meredith and Krillien to exit the carriage. Lady Lillian stepped towards Meredith's carriage, ready to welcome them.
The door swung open, revealing Krillien as he stepped out of the carriage, giving a glance at Lady Lillian before he reached out his hand to Meredith who was about to leave the carriage.
Taking his hand, she stepped out and greeted Lady Lillian with a smile.
"Your Majesties," Lady Lillian bowed. "Thank you for attending my tea party. It is a pleasure to have you both here. You as well, Lady Regina." She gave a smile that reached until her cheeks. Polite, but not too enthusiastic.
"We are grateful that you did." Krillien answered, his hand still stuck on Meredith's even as she tried to pull away. Lady Lillian continued to stare and watched as Krillien placed Meredith's hand on his arm and linked them together.
"Shall we head inside?" Lady Lillian gestured towards the entrance. As the three nodded, Lady Lillian guided them inside. All eyes were completely on them. Whispers to each other's ears became louder and louder until it became a noise Lady Lillian nor the royal couple could stand.
As they walked past, Krillien glared at the crowd making their mouths shut and sweat trickle down their faces.
"There are only a few guests, but I do hope you will enjoy the party." Lady Lillian cleared her throat, hoping to ease the situation by talking about the party.
"And how many guests are you having?" Krillien asked, looking around.
"About 20 or so, Your Majesty. Some guests tend to have other engagements to attend to but I do invite them again for the next party in the hopes that they would be available to attend." Lady Lillian explained as she led the way to two wide doors which were wide open where other nobles were there, sitting on the couch and chairs, having tea or biscuit. Some were stood on the corner, chatting with others. There were butlers and maids too who either stood by another corner or were waiting on the nobles.
"I am grateful that the two of you are, though. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to attend such a humble party of mine." She turned around to them and gave them both a smile she could muster. She was starting to get tired to pretend that she wanted the royal couple here. Lady Lillian couldn't help but curse her dearest brother in her head.
The bustling and chatter inside the room suddenly went quiet when all their heads turned towards Meredith and Krillien who stood side by side with their arms together, standing in front of the entrance.
Gloom were written on their faces as it dawned on them that the royal couple had actually attended the tea party. They couldn't help but stare at Lady Lillian as well with a sour look on their faces.
Lady Lillian gulped but still held her smile. Her party was about to go sideways seeing how everyone wasn't going to enjoy having the two members of the royal family around.
"Your Majesties!" A voice cheerfully echoed from the room. Lucian rose from one of the chairs and walked up to them, holding a wide smile. "It is good to see you." He uttered, making sure to sound familiar with them as if they were close.
Some nobles frowned, questioning Lucian's actions. Not once had he been this close to the royals, some remembered. Could it be that he was intimidated or perhaps forced by Krillien?
They glanced at Lady Lillian as well. Could it be she was also forced to do this?
The nobles couldn't help but feel pity towards the siblings. They were about to lose the nobles who were actually willing to fight against or could stand a chance to fight against the von Hachler family. Their silence made Lady Lillian shiver, her head hung low.
She felt a hand on her shoulder. Raising her head, her eyes widened seeing a brightly red-lipped woman with a devilish smile on her face, covered by her feathered fan that she flaunted with diamonds attached to it.
"Lady Josephine…" Lady Lillian muttered.
"My, if it isn't Lady Meredith—oh, Your Majesty. Excuse me for the slip up, I haven't gotten used to seeing one of our ladies become the Empress herself." Lady Josephine eyed Meredith up and and down, smirking at what seemed to be a not even extravagant gown or highly fashioned design. What a pity given how the royal couple always booked Madami Miriam all the time. "I am surprised to see you both here. Nonetheless, I am glad."
"Lady Josephine, it has been a while since we've last seen each other, no?" Meredith gave her a smile, trying her best not to look too irritated as she spoke to her. Her eyebrows tried their best not to furrow or knit together. Instead, she held a tight smile that didn't reach her ears.
"It has, it has. Again, wonderful to see you. And it is a great honor to meet Your Majesty here as well. I am grateful you have accepted my cousin's invitation." Lady Josephine said sweetly and bowed her head and placed a hand on her chest.
Krillien's eyebrows knitted, noticing the stark difference in her tone whenever she addressed him compared to Meredith.
"Yes, well, it would be for the better that we engage with our people." Krillien simply answered, his gaze unfocused and blank.
Dissatisfied with this remark, Lady Josephine smiled. "Speaking of engaging, would it be alright if I pull aside Her Majesty? The ladies would love to see her again."
Meredith's eyes widened and her gaze quickled looked at the circle of women in the couches in the middle of the room, their fans covering their mouths, but she could tell with the way their eyes slit and moved to her and Krillien what sort of nasty things they were talking about.
"Shall we, Your Majesty?"