Chapter 13: Keep your enemies close
A yelling sound from upstairs and the men tried to get her inside a carriage but she felt the men getting quiet.
The mask on her face was removed and she was face to face with her savior.
She looked up and saw the most beautiful person her eyes ever laid on.
Lady Roselle Bellamy Adkins.
The female lead of this novel. Also, William was the chancellor's sister and the most precious daughter of Duke Adkins. Her brown luscious hair and purple eyes that seemed to sparkle in the moonlight enthralled her.
Her confused face and sudden panic got into her and she instantly bowed. "Your highness!" Roselle coughed.
Princess Asteria closed her widened mouth and smiled at her, "Thank you, savior." She said, which made Lady Roselle look down shyly.
Princess Asteria bit her lip and muttered a curse. Dammit. She wanted to make this beautiful girl her friend for goodness sake! Why is her mouth not following her mind?
She couldn't help how she'll be the villainess for this beautiful person right here and with her older brother Prince Apollo…Goodness, they really are perfect for each other. Just thinking about it makes her heart giddy but since she's merely a character- a villainess at one- she won't have any choice but to get in between them in the future…
Lady Roselle masked her tears with a smile and instantly left her.
Standing up, she dust her dress and faced her, "I trust you not to say this incident to any soul."
Lady Roselle's looked at her confusedly, "But princess-"
"I'll take care of this matter quietly, but thank you for the help."
She nodded, "It's a pleasure, your highness." And she walked away.
Princess Asteria tried to call her out but she was already gone.
Now that she's finally met the female lead, things must be starting to move now.
And this incident is all because of one person. She's certain that it's Mistress Geneva. Of course, who else could be other than that evil woman? Soon, she has to return the favor for her.
****
On the back of the Castle walls, through the secret mazes inside was the Mistress Geneva Pallardy, the king's concubine who was talking with Duke Ludke.
"You've gone too far." Said Duke Ludke.
Mistress Geneva scoffed, "Why? It was your idea."
"But Lady Roselle Adkins was there! What happens if she saw my men?"
The mistress shrugged, "Then pay the price yourself."
Duke Ludke gritted his teeth, "Our family just has an alliance. But once you break it, I'll reveal everything you've done."
Mistress Geneva just smirked, "Try and do that, let's see if you can still live for another day".
Duke Ludke snorted, "You seem to be too keen on taking the princess's life. Well, I myself am only interested in power but you...it's like you have another reason…What really bothers you? The fact that she's a princess, young and pretty? Or that she's the king's favorite among his children?"
"First of all how dare you talk to me like that. I didn't give you permission to butt in my business. Well, although she's just an orphan, there is something different to that child that she's hiding. I must discover it. And she must be immune with the poison with all those arsenic I gave…next time, deliver a stronger one." She said, smirking as she sip on her tea. "Now leave, before anyone sees you."
She then went into the hidden towers and went into the fireplace. Pushing the button, she went to open the secret door she created.
Where her deepest secret was.
She smirked at the sight of a very weak woman in her cell. The chains jingled.
"Hello there, Queen." She greeted.
*******
"Dear Lady Roselle Adkins,
How are you? After that small mishap and for helping me, I find you interesting and see it as a debt from you. I'd like to invite you to my tea party for the next few days. Attached is the invitation seal, along with the details for the event.
I can't wait to have you as my friend. I'll be expecting you there!
-Princess Asteria Doutroux
The Royal Palace
Princess Asteria raised her eyebrows, contemplating if it was enough not to scare away Lady Roselle as she did last night. She's going to host a tea party! Well, after the competition of her suitors when everything is settled…just to socialize but to meet all her enemies of course. Didn't they say to keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer?
"What are you writing?"
She jumped at the sudden question of Vita who appeared out of nowhere.
Asteria clutched her heart, "You almost gave me a heart attack!"
"A what? I have been here since earlier but you were too busy your highness."
"Alright. Just send this to the Duchy of Adkin's manor." She handed the letter to her sealed with the royal dragon seal. Vita nodded and left to do her task.
She then backs to her room.
Princess Asteria suddenly felt her cheek aching, an effect of the almost kidnapping incident from yesterday.
Which reminds her, that she has to confront. Her kidnapping incident was 100% from that woman's plans in eradicating her. What's more, the concubine didn't appear earlier at breakfast, which is strange.
That lowly concubine!
The princess herself then went to the gardens where she spotted Mistress Geneva sitting and having tea while watching her maids tend her gardens.
Mistress Geneva looked up at her and the smile on her face wiped off. The princess noticed how she gripped the teacup handle tightly. Oh, this is really suspicious.
That was all the mistress's response.
Princess Asteria flashed her a fake smile, "What a lovely day and you are out here when you did not join us for breakfast? I thought you were not
feeling good ?"
The Concubine stood up. "Awe, did you miss me? I apologize darling as my plants needed some attention. I promise to show up at the breakfast table next time."
"Have I done something, not in your favor?" The concubine asked, feigning innocence.
She rolled her eyes, since they are left alone, what's the use of playing nice? "Yes, I could enumerate each of the incidents you tried to kill me. But I'm afraid it will take a whole day. Maybe next time."
"I don't know what you are talking about." She replied and Princess Asteria gripped her neck, "Oh you know exactly what I'm talking about. Or do you have short-term memory loss from having to kidnap me last night? What will happen if the king heard of this?"
The concubine struggled, "Oh, aren't you just some outside who forces herself in just to become the king's daughter?" The concubine spilled, slowly showing her true colors.
Princess Asteria paused and laughed at the concubine's face, earning attention from the maids just nearby.
"Am I hearing it right? Some ugly old woman seduced the king just to act as the concubine of the king?" She said sarcastically and then proceeded, "You know whatever you'll do, the king won't love you. You'll never be as beautiful and as loved as Queen Aretha." She said without stuttering and Mistress Geneva gasped.
"You-"
Mistress Geneva's hand was about to hit her face, but she was quick to catch it, "Oh my, are you really hitting a princess right now? What will happen if father sees my bruised cheek?"
"You think he will believe that I hit you?" She scoffed.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Hiraeth_Faith
Hiraeth_Faith Creation is hard, cheer me up!
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone