The next day.
"This earl tea is delicious!"
Vivia chimed with delight as she accompanied Regina for a walk in the royal courtyard. Regina's expression brightened in return, and she nodded in satisfaction. Sipping on her tea, she affectionately gazed at her daughter.
For the last few days, an unease in Clairette's demeanor hadn't gone unnoticed by her - as if Clairette felt she was a stranger in the palace. The hesitation in her irises was evident, which she blamed on her near-death experience, coupled with Audreya's accusation against her for killing her friend. Hence Regina's decision to personally brew her favorite tea and hopefully improve her stagnant mood.
"Tea always refreshes you."
"Indeed…"
Vivia's eyes ached, wondering at the strange reason behind her feeling so sentimental. It was similar to the time they had first talked in her chamber.
"Clairette, why are you crying dear?" Regina worriedly asked.
"Nothing, nothing," she quickly wiped it off and said, "I just…missed this. It feels like we're talking like this after a long time."
"Yes, yes. It might only be a few days you stayed in the Demon Realm, but to me, it felt like forever."
A tender smile laced her lips. It had been nothing but a mountainous task for Vivia to adjust herself in the royal palace. The air felt too cold and suffocating to bear, unlike the pleasant atmosphere in Stras. Though small, the town bustled with liveliness more than the luxurious palace. She missed her townspeople, who always held a merry smile on their lips, as opposed to the calculating and unfeeling gazes of the knights and maids all around her.
Then flashed Audreya's face in her mind, whose life still hung in the balance if action wasn't taken soon enough. On top of everything, her longing for Zerath only worsened her emotions. The hope from lilybell to be able to meet him only further lit up the fire in her heart. But she was yet to win over the lilybell, only prolonging her most awaited meeting with him.
I'm a failure. How can I not win over a pesky flower with that one thing I excel at!?
Dark clouds of gloom loomed over her head, making her smile fall.
"Why do you look so despondent again?" Another wave of worry washed over Regina.
Vivia coughed. "No, no. I was just thinking how I still lack in my dance skills."
"Oof," she shook her head. "Are you thinking about Priscilla again? You don't have to mind her so much. You know how she is."
Yes, a spoiled brat and nothing else. I wonder what the Gods were thinking by blessing a woman like her? Aren't Gods almighty who know everything?
"My lady," Erissa arrived at Clairette's side and bowed. "Long live, Your Majesty."
Regina frowned. "Clairette and I are having a wonderful tea time. What could be so urgent?"
"Apologies, Your Majesty. A letter has arrived for my lady, and it seemed important so I hurried…"
Vivia blinked. "Who sent the letter?"
"The seal belongs to the Grisbane family."
Where have I heard that name again?
Her eyes stretched wide a moment later.
It's the family Raffert has married into!
Vivia took the letter from her and tore the seal. Unfolding it, she read the tea party invitation that the Grisbane family were organizing, led by none other than Raffert's wife.
"Everyone in the capital has learned of my lady's return, so they wish to invite you to their tea parties. Other similar letters have piled up too."
Regina scoffed and waved her hand in dismissal. "So it's just another tea party invitation. These ladies have nothing better to do. Don't bother with it Clairette."
"...I want to attend it."
Regina was taken aback. "The tea party? Really?"
"Yes."
"But you were never interested in tea parties. You've told me so yourself that it feels stifling to be among the ladies."
Oh yes, Clairette doesn't like tea parties…
"Yes, Mother. I don't like tea parties in general, but I simply feel like attending one this time…" she failed to make an excuse.
Outrightly admitting that this was the golden chance for her to meet Raffert and investigate his involvement in her death was something she couldn't say out loud.
Regina paused, her brows faintly crinkling. "Are you sure…? You've never liked that atmosphere, and you don't have to please anybody. You're the royal princess!" her nostrils flared.
A small lump formed in Vivia's throat. Regina's words reminded her of Master Nara.
'Life is too short to please anyone. Smart people will understand. You'll have to punch the dumb ones.'
Regina eventually acceded, contemplating that Clairette needed a change in pace. "Okay, if you say so. But!" Her eyes narrowed. "The tea party will be organized here in the palace. There's no way I'm allowing you to go outside after that second attack. We don't know how many culprits are still out there targeting you."
She coughed. "B-But Mother, Miss. Grisbane is organizing the tea party, so she's the host…How can she be a host in the palace?"
"I don't care how that looks. We're royalty. Why do we have to think about what others think?"
Her brow twitched.
For the first time, she exhibited that classic royal arrogance…
"As always, Mother always worries too much," a soft voice echoed from behind them.
Sierra approached them with grace, a polite smile on her lips.
"It's about Clairette's life. No worry is too much worry," Regina harrumphed.
She smiled. "I understand you, Mother. But there's no harm in Clairette attending a tea party. A noble's house is just as secure as the palace. It's different from Orseth's streets."
"I'm not convinced."
"Will you not trust your daughter-in-law either? I, too, have received an invitation from Miss. Grisbane. I'll be attending, so naturally, I'll accompany Clairette. I won't let any harm come to her."
Sierra glanced at her side. "Are you still afraid, Clairette?"
Vivia blinked. "I was never afraid, sister-in-law. I understand the recent incidents were tiring, but I can take care of myself. I was careless before, but it won't happen again."
Regina and Sierra cast a unanimous surprised gaze. The Clairette they knew always hesitated to speak her mind.
"...Fine. But I'm going to send a platoon of royal guards this time," she refused to yield on that part.
"Naturally. Sir Benjamin and his knights are perfectly capable for this task. Since this is settled, I'll respond to Miss. Grisbane's letter," Sierra bowed.
Vivia pushed her chair back and smiled. "I'll take my leave too."
Regina was dissatisfied. "So soon?"
"Forgive me, Mother. But I've an urgent matter to attend to."
And that is to meet Audreya alone.
—
Audreya jolted with a jerk, a ray of light from outside rudely interrupting her rest. She leaned against the prison walls, tired and hungry. But despite the plate of food before her, she refused to touch it.
"A hunger strike is not an answer to your freedom."
Her brows creased, and she slowly lifted her gaze, which darkened with loathing and disdain at once.
"Oh my, the royal princess herself is here. What's the matter? Are you disappointed that I'm still alive?" She sneered.
Vivia stared at her longtime rival behind bars with a somber and complicated gaze. On top of her pale appearance, her weight had been rapidly declining to the point that she could barely sustain herself.
Instead of responding to her taunt, she said, "A healthy body is any dancer's life. But you seemed to have given up on that."
A crisp silence thudded against the dark prison walls.
"Does Princess Clairette have friends?" Audreya posed a question after a long pause.
Combing through Clairette's broken memories, she said, "No. A princess is only admired from afar. Friendship is not something…royalty is blessed to have."
Her breaths turned shaky, an ache stabbing her thinking about Clairette's stifling life. A princess's controlled life within the palace's walls had left her alone and vulnerable and with nobody to depend upon.
"That's why you won't understand, Princess. I've not given up on dancing, but I've been wondering for the last six months…if there's even any meaning left to it. The rival I wanted to surpass is gone. Becoming the Maestro now feels like a big joke. A betrayal. That's not…" her lips quietly quivered, "how I wanted to win that title."
Vivia's nails dug into her palm as she held back the storm of tears threatening to surge past its prison. Despite all their arguments and clashes, the verbal taunts and all those times they pulled each other's hair, they always propelled each other to blossom and become a better version of themselves. That was the Audreya she knew and admired.
Vivia knelt to her level in silence.
"Will this sin of making the princess kneel to a commoner's eye level be added to my crimes too?" Audreya smiled mockingly.
Vivia softly breathed in, closing her eyes for a moment and then opening them again. "I didn't kill your friend. But you're sure that I did. So, the only conclusion I could arrive at is that someone disguised as me - one, who knew about my visits to Stras."
"Very convenient, isn't it?"
"It's the truth. Think about it yourself. Framing a royal princess for a murder will throw the realm into chaos. What motive did I have? Either the culprit is my personal enemy or an enemy of the kingdom who wants to weaken my father's position. Hostile forces in hiding can rebel and try to usurp the throne. Who's a better target than me?"