The Only Daughter Of Lancaster
Part Sixteen: Garden Party
On the fourth day, Amabel decided to stay in her room. He did not want to leave the room because the wound on his neck was clearly visible. Amabel doesn't want to gossip to others. Kier entered Amabel's study with a letter. "Daughter, here's tomorrow's tea invitation letter."
Amabel's brows fused together, confused by this sudden news. "Tomorrow? So suddenly. Is Rachel Hutger coming?"
Ah, Amabel misses Rachel. Kier just shook his head, "for that I don't know. However, I know that His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen will come."
If two important people in the kingdom come, it is definitely not an ordinary tea party. The possibility of tomorrow will be announced the future wives of the Prince who passed the written exam. Which means that less will come. Amabel looked at Kier whose eyes were sparkling. Seeing that he felt his back cold. "Is there anything you want to say, Kier?"
Kier smiled broadly. "I want to discuss about the dress that the princess will be wearing."
Amabel hurriedly shook her hand, "no need. I trust you. I believe Kier will make me beautiful. I just asked not to be too flashy."
Kier nodded, firmly. "Then leave it to me! I will prepare the water for the princess first then."
Amabel nodded then Kier walked out of her study. Amabel wondered, what will happen tomorrow? Whatever it is, I hope he doesn't meet the fourth Prince. Amabel was still scared and it bothered her.
Amabel stared at her reflection in the glass. Today she wears a light blue dress, half her hair tied with a pink ribbon and the rest beautifully wrapped. As Amabel wanted, not too flashy.
Hm, I don't know why Amabel wasn't satisfied. She finally pulled the ribbon in her hair and wrapped it around her waist. After seeing the results smiled widely. "This is better. Kier put that flower-shaped pinch in my pigtail."
Kier said then smiled. "Mr princess looks beautiful."
Amabel wags her hair, "i know." Then the ruckus sounded from his mouth. "Let's go now, Kier."
Kier nodded and walked first as before. This may seem strange, but given that Amabel did not know the palace well so Kier walked in front. The two reached the labyrinth garden and headed to the right side, far away from the labyrinth entrance. A shameful incident again flashed in Amabel's memory.
"Mr princess, please sit down." Kier pulls the bench for Amabel. The girl nodded and sat down. Afterwards Kier stood behind Amabel.
The table in front of him was rectangular with 19 benches. If 2 seats are for Your Majesty, it means that there are 17 noble daughters who graduated. Amabel sat beside His Majesty's bench. On each bench there is the surname of each noble. Unfortunately, Amabel could not see it.
Rachel was on three benches from him and Amabel had stolen a glance. However, it was so difficult to chat with the responsible people standing behind their bodies. Finally, His Majesty the King and Queen arrived.The 17 girls who were at the table immediately stood up and saluted. "Our greetings to His Majesty the King and His Majesty the Queen. May Yerkink always be at peace."
His Majesty the King immediately signaled for the girls to raise their heads. "May peace not leave you. Sit down and pour the warm tea."
The noble princesses started sipping her tea after seeing Her Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen drinking her tea. The taste of the tea is so refreshing, there may be a mixture of mint, camomile, and a little lemony feeling. "Lezat," he murmured as he chewed the pastry.
"Did Her Majesty like the cake? It's really delicious." Praise one of the noble daughters. Amabel had no intention of finding out who because she focused more on the cookies on her plate.
"Is that so? I don't like pastries because they're too sweet." The answer sounds sweet but sharp..
"The tea is delicious too."
"For me it's too acidic." Reply Her Majesty the Queen flatly.
How should Amabel react? He ended up just sipping his tea in silence. Her Majesty the Queen saw the silence, "there is someone who makes me curious." The remark caught the attention of the noble princesses. "Lady Lancaster, you wrote the answer to defy royal orders, didn't you?"
Amabel could hear a long pause after the question was issued. But Amabel has nothing to fear. "Yes, Her Majesty the Queen."
"Say, why are you defying orders regarding the search for the royal empress?" Her Majesty the Queen asked as she sipped her tea.
Amabel took a breath and replied calmly. "Because I feel this is all unfair." Amabel answered, there was a cold silence there. Amabel did not look at His Majesty the King and Queen, because it was impolite.
"How presumptuous!" Shouted one of the noble princesses. Amabel did not want to find out because then many voices answered.
Her Majesty the Queen raised her hand, giving a sign of silence. "Continue, Lady Lancaster."
Amabel looked straight ahead. "Not all women in the kingdom want this marriage and I am one of them. When royal rule was spread, the country deliberately cut off the wings of young women. As the son of a noble, the princesses here had more abilities. However, when we entered this palace everything we could not achieve anymore. Your Majesty, entering the palace means that all our dreams and hopes must be taken away."
"If I can't use us, let it be me." Amabel took a breath, then continued. "I'm not a girl with dreams, my only wish is to live as Amabel Lancaster. When I entered the palace, I knew that I had to be the best. Best as a Lancaster. However, when I leave the palace even without the status of the Prince's wife, people will continue to ask me why I failed. They'll keep asking questions until it's finally a label for me."
"Every step I take will be questioned. Every effort I make will be doubted. Any man who intends to marry me will be doubted by society." Amabel now plays her finger on the cup. "The most unfair thing is that when I want to refuse, the punishment will be imposed on the whole family. Is that fair, Your Honor?"
"Doubting a decision does not mean lowering trust. When people doubt there is a belief that their leader will get better. Doubt can lead to trust and loyalty." Amabel is calm.
At the place where Rachel cried out in her heart. His friend is absolutely amazing! While Kier looked at Amabel with a look of admiration.
"It's interesting, you doubted my decision but remained faithful. Why that?" His Majesty the King asked. He knew the news about Lancaster's daughter who was so smart and mature, but only this time he interacted directly.
"Doubt of a verdict can make a leader think of a better way out. A way out that can bring justice. From there the confidence of the people will increase with increased loyalty." Amabel was still looking straight ahead. "Just like the rules made by Empress Jovanka when increasing taxes for nobles. At that time the tax should be raised, but people who feel unfair issued their opinion. Doubts arose and almost created chaos. However, Empress Jovanka succeeded in creating justice by increasing the taxes of the nobility. Moreover, it is strange that the work increases taxes for the people who have not so much wealth, but let the nobles live luxuriously without burden."
"And you're part of the noble circle." Reply to a girl in front of Amabel. His gaze was flat, but his tone was so sharp.
Amabel returned the gaze, as if uninterested. "And so often I get fed up with people who boast of their status. Just because of the title of nobility, doesn't mean we're better than ordinary people."
Her Majesty the Queen clapped her hands, then chuckled. "Ah, you made me happy today. You know if you talk like that you'll be considered a traitor."
"What I said based on my answer on the exam paper. According to government regulations, everything I write is based on science." Reply to Amabel and that's why she's not afraid to answer.
"That means?" His Majesty the King deliberately asked.
"That is to say, anything I write is considered the opinion of a researcher. The final result of the writing is under royal responsibility and for that I am not afraid of punishment. The kingdom will protect each researcher and his research." Reply Amabel without expression.
This time His Majesty the King laughed. "I got some fun entertainment. As expected of Duke Lancaster's daughter. We can't linger, so enjoy your time."
His Majesty the King extended his hand to Her Starting Queen and instantly grabbed. So graceful, so beautiful. "Enjoy your time."
"May Yerkink always be at peace." Respect the girls there.
Amabel could hear the unpleasant whispers of the noble girls, but of course she ignored them. He prefers to look at the blue sky. Amabel wants this over quickly.
"She must have done that on purpose to seek His Majesty's attention." Said someone, too loud until Amabel heard it.
"Of course it is. I'm sure he's just memorizing those answers." Reply to another.
"Indeed what to expect from the Lancaster family's daughter? They're the descendants of witches!"
Thats enough. This time Amabel couldn't help it. The girl immediately turned her head, looking at the three girls who were beside Rachel. His eyes met with Amabel, with Rachel's slow movements shaking. He gave the code for Amabel to hold back. Finally Amabel stood up, "Kier let's go. I want to soak in cold water."
The weirdness sounded from behind. "Look, he must have escaped. Lancaster coward."
The movement of Amabel who pulled the sword from the guard and smoothed it into the neck of the brunette girl created a screech there. "Tell me one more time and I don't hesitate to slash your neck."
"You! Lower sword!" The screams of his friend and Amabel easily swung his sword at the girl's neck. "You're crazy!"
"You're thinking of a defense? This is a defense I'm doing on the irreverence of your mouth. Legally I'll be crowned a hero for defending the family's pride and you're considered losers for gossiping about unimportant things."
The two girls were frightened, especially since Amabel swung her sword between their necks. "So tell me, which one did you choose? Make me a hero or make yourself a loser?" Words are so flat and cold. The fear in their eyes was probably the same as the fear felt by him yesterday.
"I-I'm sorry." The brunette immediately sat on the ground. Amabel's sword is still faithful on the side of her neck, "for?"
"For my senseless words. To scoff at the Lancaster surname. I'm really sorry." He said with a vibrating tone.
The black-haired girl who spoke with him joined in. "I'm sorry too, princess. I've been so presumptuous for spreading fake news."
"If in the future you do the same, I will make your deaths so painful." Amabel said with a sharp look.
After that he returned the sword to the knight. "Kier, let's go back."
Kier followed Amabel from behind. Today he saw a different figure of Amabel. A girl who asked him to look into the eyes today instead made another girl tear out. Today Kier is increasingly convinced that Amabel is no ordinary girl.
When the knight's sword was drawn, Kier saw not fear but conviction. Every action was done with certainty and calculation, but Kier knew Amabel would never forget his words.