Tea Party II.

**

I was surprised to hear that name on his lips. Ariadne? One of the women I hated the most in history. She was the favorite wife of the late emperor of Akkad. People talked about her beauty and kindness, which I did not find interesting. They said she cursed me before dying. It was clear why I did not like her.

"Wait, her second name was Ariadne" Azriel explained. He understood my facial expression. I was glad that he was not as lame as prince Charles. "She is older than the late queen I guess she got her name first."

"Sure. She can't be her" I poured tea into the mug by myself. Hope left the room because the maids were asked to wait outside after the first serving. They will come in against but later. "Queen Ariadne never had a child. It is so sad."

"But you don't seem sad" Lord Azriel took his mug up for the first time. I knew he was not going to drink from it immediately. I added milk to mine and lifted it as well.

"Why not? It is sad to die without a child?" I told him. There was no one to continue with her husband's name. They were dead.

"I thought she was pregnant when your father attacked them?"

I sipped and placed the cup back. How did he know so much about this story? His hometown was far away from Akkad. He should know a little "Yes but she lost it."

"I see…" Azriel kept the mug back on the table. I noticed that he did not sip at all. Was it different from his country's tea? I wondered if we did not prepare it according to his taste.

He did not bother to look next. His eyes kept on wandering around searching for what I had no idea. My heart was beating at an unknown rate. Did I irritate it? I rubbed my palm together quietly….they were getting wet.

I was worried but I didn't show it. As a princess, father taught me how to hide my pain so that no one would use it against me. People will never hurt you for things they don't know. He said it was better this way.

"Excuse, princess" Ember interrupted my thoughts. I lifted my eyes and noticed that was standing beside Azriel. "If you don't mind, can I steal the Lord from you? We must discuss this."

I was surprised by her guts but it was up to him whether to leave me for her. Azriel got from the seat and bowed "excuse me, my lady. I think it is urgent."

Was this a plan? Why did he stand up so fast to go with her? Just yesterday, he did not want to leave me. Or did I say something bad during our conversation? I bit my lower lips slowly and nodded. Ember smiled at me as she led him to a corner.

My heart ached at the sight of them. I wished I could tell him that my eyes did not want to behold the such sight. It was difficult for me to see him with another woman. I felt like crying but I dare not. Father said I should never cry in front of anyone.

My jaw tightened as I felt hotness around my cheeks. I knew it was red with jealousy.

I tried so much not to pay attention to them but it was not easy. My eyes kept monitoring them.

"My Lady," Hope bowed, and for the first time, when gaze shifted to a different direction. "Do you mind?"

"No dear," I said, taking my mug in my hand. "Did father send for me?" he didn't want me to mingle with them much until he has chosen a man for me.

"Not at all," She said, going on her knees. "I noticed you are alone."

I sighed and my lips widened to show her a big fake smile "I am fine."

She nodded and turned to the direction Ember was "I guess he is with her now…this Lord might be a womanizer."

"No, he is not" I kept my mug on the table and took the napkin. "Ember has a man already."

"Who is he?"

"I have no idea. She refused to tell anyone except her sister, Hazel."

Hope nodded. It seemed to me she did not the Lord. Well, he was handsome…getting more attention than me. The only reason why I was getting so many offers was because of the throne. But Azriel has nothing. His town was very little compared to Akkad.

"You should invite prince Charles over…since Azriel is talking to another" Hope suggested. I wanted to say no but maybe I could make him jealous.

"Good idea," I murmured. "Call him."