18

"Isn't it concerning that the duke will not let his fiance socialize ?" The concubines were returning from the well, they spotted Anthonette discussing with her maid. "What do you mean she's talking to that maid at least." Naomi pouted, she still hasn't been able to interact with the Lady. She could not blame her, it's the duke's fault.

"Even though, she looks more like a prisoner that a person. The Duke refuses for her to participate in our tea time as well."

"Even the prince isn't having any luck since he seems swooned by the lady." All the concubines came to a stop acknowledging Theresa who said that. "Should we be worried ?" They looked to Anthonette's direction. "Worried about what ?" Agatha mummured glaring at Anthonette.

"That a war won't come out of this, forget the Empress if the prince pursues the lady hell will surely let loose." They all agreed leaving Naomi to sigh the loudest.

"Why did I have to be born at a time like this. Maybe I should elope to Pomeria." Agatha turns to Naomi raising her brow she questions. "Pomeria ? Isn't that the country that frowns upon polygamy ?"

Naomi pouted avoiding eye contact with Agatha. "I'm not going to be a concubine there."

"What else can you offer apart from your body ?" Agatha asked so innocently that Naomi couldn't get mad but she was sure as fustrated.

"I'll think of something. And if you want you're invited to run away with m.." a thud interrupted Naomi, not so far from them Lady Anthonette had collapsed.

_

The entire palace was aware that lady Anthonette passed out on the corridors on her way to her room.

They all assumed it must be the stress having to pay attention to her wedding without the duke by her side. She had done dress fittings, cake tasting and even had to deal with the invitations, venue and many more. Of course no one could visit her and neither could she receive gifts.

"My lady here.." Anthonette looked down at the medicine Violette tried to feed her. She looked away refusing the medicine. "Damon help me.." Violette nagged the knight who escorted her that day to the Inn. Damon looked at the lady and squatted so their eyes could meet. "I think you should reconsider going to the Auction house tonight. You should as well refrain from drinking the potion the duke won't let me live if you end up dying." The knight was right and Anthonette thought she was a fool.

She didn't want Violette to risk her life any further but she was overdoing it now if she went like this she might pass out during the mission. "My lady I will go in your stead. Just rest up and feel better your wedding will be in two days anyway." Anthonette hated the fact that everyone was doing something while she was only preoccupied with a wedding.

But she knows she's done enough even though the Duke will never hear of it. If she did die all of this would be for knack.

"Fine you go Violette.." she clasps her hands onto her pulling Violette close. "The Imperial family as well as the Empress won't be slacking. Do not die Violette..." Violette chuckled. She was aware the lady was worried and that this mission was dangerous. "I'll return to you my lady. I've been pretty much capable so do not worry rest." Violette pats Anthonette but then remembers to search her pockets.

She brings out a letter. "This is from the new Lord of Hivera, this was supposed to arrive weeks ago but the duke was hell bent that I confirm it wasn't a fraud." Anthonette looked to the letter and nods she was disappointed that she hadn't received one from the Duke at all. Even if all this was for farce it wouldn't kill him to write a letter.

"Why do I care ?" Anthonette lips without her knowledge. "Come again my lady."

"Didn't anyone come from the Duke ?" She frowned folding her arms. "Oh.." Violette turns her head to Damon in hopes he would answer. "Pardon him my lady, he did however sent an allowance, maybe if I send in a request you could..."

"I'll pass." Anthonette pouted receiving the letter from Violette.

"The Duke said we should gather information did he not ?" Violette nods. "So far I've only discovered information caused by the after effects of the mission. The palace maids aren't that chatty or they just look down on me."

"Then leave that to me. Didn't Lady Agatha invite me for tea ?"

"She did but you should steer clear from her. She seems to be in love with prince she's not blind to the attention he forces on you." Anthonette noticed it too, when she was rarely on her own, Agatha would be following him like fly.

The moment the prince spotted her he discarded her and disturbed her till Violette came along.

"Well I can use her interest to my advantage so send her a letter that I accept." Anthonette opened the letter of the new Lord of Hivera.

"As you wish my lady.." Violette muttered and proceeds to carry this request out. "Hold up." Violette paused. "Yes my lady ?"

"Send an invitation to the crown prince as well but don't let him know about Lady Agatha.." Violette didn't know what her lady was planning but she trust it wasn't anything drastic.

Lady Agatha will be there, she thought. But should she not worry the more ?