11 Learning to Make Connections

I can be a villainess. But first, I need followers, what're they called again? Henchmen?

If I have enough people on my side I will have more power. That way, it'll also be harder for the future Prince Alex to kill me. The best way would be to join in ladies tea parties. Hopefully they aren't as boring as I thought them to be.

Lisa dressed me up in my best clothes which was an orange dress with yellow laces and white gems decorating the middle. I looked at myself in the mirror in disbelief, I felt like a real princess. I took a moment to see if I was hallucinating, but it really was me in that mirror.

Elaine really was beautiful. She took my breath away.

'Lady Elaine, your carriage is ready,' Lisa took me out of my trance. She was looking at me and if I didn't know any better, there was a small smile on her face. I liked Lisa, she was nice to me.

I told my mother that I was going to join a tea-party with other young noble ladies. This one was hosted by Beatrice Brinley, daughter of Viscount Brinley. She sent me an invitation a few weeks ago to this party and while Elaine didn't reply, I choose to use this as an opportunity. I need connections.

I walked down the staircase to the entrance of the manor and left through the garden towards the fancy white carriage with the driver ready to go.

After I went inside the carriage, the driver whipped the horses so that they started to gallop to Viscount Brinley's home.

It wasn't long until I arrived. I stepped down from the carriage with Lisa's help.

Preparing myself, I held my chin high for these noble ladies. Thankfully I did learn a lot from the tutor about etiquette so I hope I don't embarrass myself. I was welcomed by some servants who led me to the tea party which was held in the greenhouse. There were already some ladies there chatting when I came.

'I heard lady Elaine is coming?'

'Really? I haven't seen her for so long I thought she had gone and disappeared ahaha.'

Man, these ladies sure like to gossip.

'Hello,' I gave them a small nod. This made them freeze a little as they got caught talking about me behind my back. Well, there is always these type of people.

'Lady Elaine! How are you? It's been so long,' the girl sitting at the head of the long table made of glass greeted me. She had silver white hair that ran to her back as well as the prettiest pair of ruby eyes I've ever seen. She was one of the people who didn't laugh at the lame joke about me before so I was inclined to be nice to her as well.

I wanted to greet her back but I wasn't sure if she was Lady Beatrice even though she was sitting at the head of the table.

'She's Lady Beatrice,' Lisa whispered next to my ear. The other ladies wasn't suspicious of that since Lisa handed me a napkin as an excuse to whisper to me.

I took the napkin and looked back towards Lady Beatrice.

'Thank you for inviting me Lady Beatrice. You're right it has been long since I've gone out, I've been busy at home arranging my marriage you see,' I was hoping they would buy that. And hopefully Alex doesn't hear that I was boasting about our engagement thinking I've fallen in love with him.

I moved to an empty seat at the table. There was only five other ladies at this tea party so I relaxed a bit, relieved that I didn't have to meet too many people at once.

'Oh, I heard you were about to have an engagement party. Who are you engaged to?', said the girl who was gossiping about me when I got here.

'It's to Alex Magnus,' I didn't bother to look her way as I answered.

'The Alex Magnus! Future Prince of the Golden Empire?', at this her mouth opened as wide as a pot. He really was famous wasn't he. I wonder why I was picked as his fiancé? It certainly benefitted my family, but what's in it for him?

'Oh you're so lucky Lady Elaine!', she playfully tapped her hand on my arm while hiding her mouth with her other hand. She was probably green with envy.

The other ladies started chattering amongst themselves and I saw that Lady Beatrice wasn't taking part in the conversation like me. She noticed I was looking her way and proceeded to give me a small smile, probably knowing what I was thinking.

'They do like to talk don't they?', she whispered to me behind her hand. She then took a sip of her hot tea and looked back towards me.

'I for one care little for idle chatter, same as you it might seem. So why did you decide to come for this little get together when you have never come before?', she really likes to get to the point huh? Well not that I'm complaining.

'I just decided as future princess of the empire, I too must play my part in knowing the ins and outs of noble society. Is that wrong of me?', I tilted my head at her with a small smile.

'It seems you finally understand the importance of connections, Lady Elaine,' she gave me a small nod and seemed pleased with me. Was Elaine really such a recluse that finally attending one tea party was such an improvement for her? If she was this isolated, no wonder no one fought for her to not be executed.

'It seems I have. Again I must thank you for the invitation,' noble's etiquette is a pain, but I understand its importance.

I raised my tea cup to hers and we both took a sip of our tea, hopefully this is the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship.

'This cake sure is good right?', another girl said bringing me back to their conversation.

'It's the best I've ever tasted. Lady Beatrice you're so lucky to have such a good cook!', her voice became such a high pitch at the end of that sentence, anyone could tell this was an ass-kissing if such a thing ever existed.

I took one of the cakes for myself. It was a strawberry cake that looked quite plain. It had white frosting and one piece of strawberry on top. I took a spoonful of the cake and swallowed. It was good, but I can make better.

I've made cakes like these for myself on my birthday when I celebrated in the small apartment I lived in during university.

'It's ok,' I said nonchalantly.

'Oh like you can make better?', said the girl who was gossiping about me. Doesn't she realise that in the future I will be queen, should she really speak that way to me. Of course my engagement with Alex will fall apart and I might be executed, but she doesn't know that.

'Of course,' I turn towards her with my head held high.

'What if you can't? Care to put money where your mouth is?', she raised an eyebrow at me. Well I like the sound of that.

'You're probably boasting without actually being able to do it like you usually do. You once told me you could sing like a fairy and look what happened?', she then sniggered and laughed behind her gloved hands.

Did that really happen? Why would Elaine lie about something like that? But of course, I wasn't kidding when I said I can make a better cake. Plus money is always good.

'Alright, if I can make a better cake than this you pay me one hundred gold coins. If I can't I'll give you one hundred gold coins. How does that sound?' I gave her a grin that showed her how confident I was, but she continued to not believe in me.

'I'll take you on that offer. But are you sure you can pay it? A little bird told me that money is tight these days in the house of Castelle,' she continued to look down on me. How did she know that? If Alex finds out then the engagement might be broken and I don't know what will happen if him and Anastasia get together, will I die again?

'I don't know what you're talking about. Lisa bring me the money,' she then brought over the pouch of gold coins I kept from the other day and everyone's eyes widened. Even Lady Beatrice who has been unsuspectingly quiet this whole time seemed to be taken aback by the amount of money I brought. You never know when you might need money so it's good to always keep some close by your side.

'Also if I win, you can't spread any rumors about my family's financial situation. If you do, well I might have to silence you,' I gave her my best death glare and at that she paled and nodded.

These girls don't know the first thing about me. I'll show them, then I'll stuff the cake right in their big, blabby mouths.