The ladies-in-waiting were standing with their heads lowered. Their faces filled with nervousness.
Gabriella wore a white knee-length dress with elbow-length sleeves. A white cocktail hat paired with white lace gloves, rose gold teardrop earrings, peach-colored high heels, and a white designer bag was on her lap.
She sat on a grey couch, looking at the ten ladies-in-waiting.
" If you confess right now, all of you will be pardoned", said Gabriella.
No one spoke. Gabriella laughed coldly and slowly got up from the couch. She walked to the lady-in-waiting who stood at the back. Gabriella patted her shoulder, which made the lady tremble in fear.
" Is there something you want to confess, Lady Tera?", Gabriella asked.
Lady Tera's eyes widened and she immediately fell to the floor. Her long brown hair hid her face. Her fingers' hold on her skirt tightened.
" I-I- I didn't steal the diadem! Lady Lilian came in and took the diadem! I couldn't stop her!", Lady Tera defended herself.
" She came into my bedroom? Were the guards dead? Where was the head lady-in-waiting? Where were all of you?!", Gabriella asked angrily.
" She defended herself using magi-"
" Attacking the servants and guards in the royal palace can be labeled as treason. Why didn't any of you report it?!"
The room went silent.
" I don't have time to deal with this right now. Dinner will be served any minute now. But don't expect to be off the hook. When I come back, I will deal with each and everyone one of you", said Gabriella before she left for the dining room.
----
The sound of dishes and utensils crashing together echoed through the room. The atmosphere was awkward with Lillian dining with them.
She pretended as if nothing happened as she tried to get closer to Max who kept on pushing Beatrice's favorite dishes towards her. Beatrice was dressed in a white one-shoulder top paired with blue wide-legged pants. Diamonds dangled from her ears. She was eating her food quietly. Beside her, Riley was disgusted to put it lightly. She was looking at Lilian wide-eyed. Her desperate attempts made Riley sneer in disdain.
" Is everyone going to ignore the fact that a certain someone shamelessly invited herself to dinner?", Riley asked.
Lillian's smile froze. She put on a pitiful expression.
" Is this about Mr. Dalton? If you feel uncomfortable, I will try to stay away from him and persuade him to spend more time with you", said Lillian.
" You are so shameless! The whole internet is filled with rumors about you and him! I, his rightful fiancée, am being labeled as a third party! I don't care what relationship you have! Alexander should have broken off the engagement before he announced your relationship!", Riley shouted.
" I didn't mean to come in between you two but he is the one pestering me"
" You literally followed him back to his hotel room in the middle of the night and left the room early in the morning in a disheveled outfit and hair! Now you are here trying to hook up with the Crown Prince right in front of his fiancée. May I ask if you have an obsession with stealing others' fiances?"
" That's quite enough Riley", said Beatrice before she turned to Lillian. " Lady Lillian, I think that it will be best if you leave"
Lillian finally left and everyone let loose and began talking with each other without reservations.Myles leaned towards Gabriella and whispered." Is dinner here always this entertaining?"" Yes. I feel like I wasted five years of my life living abroad. I missed so much drama!", Gabriella replied, pouting.Myles laughed.-----The moonlight shone brighter than the stars in the dark night sky. A lovely melody rang through the room. A pair of slender hands moved across the keyboard of the white piano.Riley sat on the chair as she played the piano. Tears were streaming down her face as her mind wandered." Just a little more Darling. Just practice a little more. Then you will get your powers"" Why aren't you like your sister? Both of you are my daughters. Why are the two of you so different?"" Why are you bullying your sister?! She is just a timid and innocent girl! She isn't as scheming as you!"" Why are you always in the palace garden plucking the flowers and crying?"The music ab
Gabriella was out for a run in the large backyard of the palace where someone would get lost if they didn't know the place well enough. Some of the maids were already up and working. Other than a few maids, Gabriella didn't come across anyone.Gabriella tried to enjoy her quiet morning jog but she felt someone. She turned around and saw Myles who stood under the sun. The gentle rays of sunlight lay on his face. His blue eyes turned hazel under the sunlight." What are you doing here?", asked Gabriella." Just going for a morning jog", replied Myles"Oh.."------" Do you even know what you are talking about?!", Mr.Newton yelled at Riley after hearing what she said." Yes. I know what I'm saying. I know what I want. I want to annul the engagement between me and Sir Alexander. He doesn't love and I don't love him either. I'm no longer the naive child you could manipulate however you want. I know that he will never fall in love with me", said Riley.The whole room went silent but a few s
" Mom...I missed you...", said Riley." I missed you too Rae", said Nora, Riley's mother.------At the Stafford manor.Lillian has been in a bad mood since she came back from the palace. The servants in the manor felt like they are walking on thin ice every day.The one who suffered the most was Lillian's lady-in-waiting, Lady Jenna." Milady do you want to attend lady Natalia's tea--"Lillian, who was seated, turned to her left and glared at Lady Jenna who was standing beside her." Do I look like I want to attend that woman's tea party?!"" Milady, Lady Natalia will make a scene!"" Get away from me!!"Lady Jenna was almost in tears by the end of the day." I feel bad for Lady Jenna"" At first I was envious of her as she was the lady-in-waiting of Lady Lilian and it seemed like Lady Lillian would become the Crown Princess but now I just pity her"But Lady Jenna wasn't the only one suffering.Lillian has been sick since she got home. She has been blaming it on the food she ate at t
The next dayBreakfast is supposed to be the most important meal of the day. It's supposed to help you get through the day. But Gabriella felt like she has lost three years of her life just by sitting to eat breakfast.A variety of dishes such as pancakes, fruits, waffles, and french toast were placed on the long glass table where Gabriella along with Myles, Helena, Beatrice, Max, Empress Jane, and Emperor Nicholas sat.Gabriella looked at the stack of pancakes on her plate. The maple syrup dripped onto the plate and a perfectly square piece of butter sat on top of the stack of pancakes. Blueberries and strawberries were placed around the stack of pancakes. A glass of orange juice was placed next to the plate.Gabriella grabbed her fork and knife and began eating. While eating she kept on glancing at Myles who has been staring at her since he saw her that morning.----earlier that dayGabriella woke up early in the morning and decided to write something in her journal. She sat on the
" Son, I think that..you aren't getting any younger so why not have the wedding this year?", asked Emperor Nicholas." I agree", said Max." Lady Beatrice, you don't have any complaints do you?", asked Emperor Nicholas.Beatrice was wearing a black knee-length dress under a plaid black and gold overall dress. Her platinum blonde hair was straightened and a diamond engagement ring was laced around her ring finger." I don't have any complaints", Beatrice replied with a gentle smile." How about this spring?", asked Emperor Nicholas." Father...that...we only have a few weeks before spring", said Max." I have decided. The Crown Prince Max and Lady Beatrice's wedding will be held during the first week of spring!", said Emperor Nicholas." Congratulations your highness, congratulation Lady Beatrice!", said all the servants in the room.Emperor Nicholas turned towards Myles and said." I hope that you can attend the wedding, Prince Myles"" I will definitely attend the wedding", said Myle
" Very satisfied....", said Gabriella before she opened the drawer and took out a small wooden box decorated with rubies.She handed the box to the man. The man took it and opened it. He smiled when he saw what was inside." My lady is as generous as ever", said the man before he left.----On the other sideLillian has been avoiding everyone except Lady Jenna. Even her mother started getting worried." Lillian, is there something wrong?", asked Lady Freya, Lillian's mother." No. I'm just tired. That's all", replied Lillian." Okay, eat something then. I ordered the kitchen to make your favorite dishes today", said Lady Freya with a smile.Lillian nodded and looked at the food. She felt like throwing up but she still picked a few dishes and started eating.Seeing that Lillian was eating, Lady Freya left.After Lady Freya left, Lillian immediately left for the bathroom.' This can't go on. I must tell Sir Alexander today'So that evening, Lillian met up with Alexander in secret." You
Alexander let go of Lady Rose and turned to Sir James." Can we at least get a DNA test first?", asked Alexander." A DNA test?! Will you get out of my house after you see that you are not my son with your own two eyes?", asked Sir James.Alexander nodded.The butler took strands of Sir James and Alexander's hair." Until the results come, you and her can stay at the villa", said Sir James before leaving.Alexander nodded and left the manor with Lady Rose. He got into his car and his inner thoughts flooded his brain.' Is it just a coincidence or is it related to her?'' What if it's true?'" What will happen to me and my mother?'' What about Lillian and the baby?'----" Sir James has sent Sir Alexander and Lady Rose to a villa located in a remote area. I sense a divorce coming"" Great job, Elijah. I will increase your paycheck", said Gabriella as she stared outside the window." Thank you"" Just keep up the good work", said Gabriella before she hung up." What are you up to now?"
News has spread far and wide about how Alexander and Lady Rose were kicked out of the Dalton manor. It has become the main topic of gossip during tea parties and dinners. This news has been discussed in the Stafford manor too. Lady Freya was one of the most popular noble ladies in the circle and she was mostly known for her lavish tea parties. Tea parties were just another excuse for noble ladies to dress up and gossip with their friends." Did you hear about the drama going on in the Dalton manor?"" Yes, I have. But why did Sir James kick them out and that too during the coldest time of the day?"" Did Lady Rose participate in.... indecent activities with others?"Some of the ladies laughed while others blushed." Or is it the other way around? Did Sir James fall in love with another woman?"" He might have even had a secret family"" The real question here is, can Lady Beatrice still marry the Crown Prince?"" Her cousin, Sir Alexander has been involved with...others while engaged