Zelda wasn't the type to take long in getting dressed as she was never the one to dress in order to impress anyone, so she was already by the carriage in before the Duchess was out.
"At least your dress up is presentable today" The Duchess commented even though she still wasn't satisfied with it. But she knew there was no way Zelda would be willing to get changed. It was already a miracle she was agreeing to attend.
Zelda twirled in her dress "This is my favourite dress, you know" She replied her Mother then got into her carriage, Reese entered after her.
"Milady, please behave accordingly when we get to the palace, it's not your room this time so please watch your behaviour" Reese started lecturing her the moment the carriage started moving.
"Even Mother isn't as strict as this" Zelda pouted before looking out of the carriage from the curtain. Different thoughts raced through her mind as she watched everything pass by in a blur.
"We are here" Reese's voice snapped her out of her stupor.
"So fast? I thought the palace was at least an hour and half away?" She stared eye wide at Reese. Wasn't it just now they got into the Carriage? She hadn't even created a successful plan yet!
Reese gave an insincere smile in return "Unfortunately, we've been in the carriage for that exact time, so Milady, it's time to get off" She then proceeded to stepping out first.
Zelda stepped out after and finally, she was successfully out of the carriage. She saw her Mother was already outside when she came out.
"Zelda, please behave when we get into the palace, especially in front of the royals. Please"
"Why are you telling me to behave like I have a bad behaviour or something? It's people who finds fault in me and not the other way round" She paused then glanced around to see some other carriages stopping.
"Are we going in or not?"
She walked ahead, already feeling angry that she hadn't came up with a successful escape plan yet.
"The palace is really beautiful to behold" Reese expressed from beside her which made Zelda scoff.
"It's not like this is the first time you'll be here" As she wasn't particularly in a good mood, she was ready to pick on anything and Reese happened to be the first victim.
"Milady, you are the reason I haven't been in the palace for the past four years and I haven't seen the changes made here before" Reese explained as calmly as she could.
Zelda looked around in disapproval. "Tch, there's nothing new here according to my memory. Same old and boring sculptures"
"Milady!" Reese tried hushing her. There were ears everywhere in the palace and anyone could hear her.
"What?! I can't say my mind anymore?"
"Who do we have here? If it isn't the infamous Lady Zelda who have finally decided to bless the palace with her appearance" A young lady who was surrounded by several others said from behind which made Zelda turn.
"It must be because she was getting old that she decided to come here, after all, no one would like an overriped fruit" Another young lady standing beside the first one interjected which made the other girls giggle.
"Ahhh, I was wondering where the bee was buzzing from but who would have thought it was a flock of bird?"
"What? Flock of bird?" Raphaella said in disbelief. She was the leader of the crew.
Zelda grinned "Flock. of. bird. or you don't speak English anymore?"
"You dare call us birds?" Serena was livid
"Obviously, because y'all have unfortunately been blessed with bird brains, though it's an insult to birds that you share brains but what can I say, you are too dumb to have human brains, right?"
"Zelda, you better watch what you say to me. You must have been cooped up in your house all these years and don't know how things goes but I'm the f...."
"Honestly, I don't care what you are" Zelda cut her off, then faced Reese who had been quietly watching the drama as she had always done. Her mistress was never the type who needed others to fight for her so she let her handle her fights.
"Reese, let's head for the tournament ground. These lots are making me hungry already" She walked away with no further ceremony.
"That girl needs to be taught a lesson, Raphaella, you have to tell the third prince to discipline her" One of the girls behind Raphaella told her.
"Don't worry girls, we will watch how she'll embarrass herself today. I'm sure she knows nothing of how the palace works" Raphaella smirked wickedly.
...
"Milady, it's been long since you had a face off with those ladies. I almost missed it" Reese said as they walked towards the tournament ground.
"It was a good freshing up though. I needed someone to take out my anger on anyway" She replied with an happy smile. She was now back to her normal self.
As she walked pass, everyone stopped to stare at her. One, because she was simply to eye catching and two, they had never seen her before.
"Do you know whose daughter she is?"
"I've never seen her before but she's really beautiful"
....the gossips went on and on which she actually heard but pretended not to.
When they got to the Tournament ground, It was already filled with people and Zelda was finding an hard time to locate her Mother.
"I thought we came early?" She asked Reese who was also as confused as she was.
"I guess our early is considered being late here"
"Young ladies, are you lost?" A young man dressed in a kind of noble attire approached them. He was good looking and had on a sincere look as he asked them.
"Not really, I'm looking for Duke Peepgrass's station" Zelda replied him to which made his eye widen slightly.
"You are the Duke's daughter? The one who never attends events?" He seemed very surprised but Zelda was only looking at him, saying with her eyes for him to tell her who he was.
"Oh, pardon my disrespect for the lady. I'm the thirteenth prince, the last son of the king, Aldrich" He introduced with a grin.
"Pardon me your highness, it's an honour to meet you" She made curtsey to him.
"No need, we are of same age so it's not necessary" He gave a shy smile.
"Let me take you to your station"
"I appreciate"
It appears that her family's station was closer to the royal family which was why she hadn't seen it earlier.
"You are here" Aldrich said to her after which she curtsied and he walked away.
"You were really well behaved just now" Reese said from beside her as she had been silently watching her Mistress's interaction with the prince.
Zelda glared at her "And who said I was never well behaved unless provoked?"
"Zelda" She heard her Mother call, so she walked to the woman and took her sit right beside her, her Father seems very surprised to see her present.
"I wonder what trick your Mother used to bring you here" he whispered to her so his wife wouldn't hear him. When she had told him their daughter came, he thought she was joking until her really saw her and so he wondered what his wife had done to make their daughter willingly come.
"There's no trick involved, I seriously want to see what the tournament is about"