47 new invitation

Have you ever felt that fluffy, good feeling where you could see the smile of yours getting wider every passing second? Well, that's how I felt when Killian held my hand and we ate together.

Isabella's red and black face was cherry on the top. I wish it had been my palace rather than a royal place. So I could have called the painter to make a huge portrait for the wall.

I would have gifted one to Isabella too, to remind her of this moment forever. I didn't even know how the dishes felt as the sweet taste in my mouth remained.

"Mother, eat this, it is very tasty," said Killian as he put a tart on my plate.

I nodded and took the piece of custard apple tart in my mouth and made a heavenly face, well a bit more exaggerated as I saw Isabella clenching her fingers.

She tried to speak many times but we caught her every time by offering food to each other or talking about things here and there.

How much time had passed, when I saw Duchess Meredith walking towards us. Following his sons,

"Duchess Meredith, come join us for a meal." I offered as she stood in front of us.

She was just a step lower than me in power. Her family was known as a family of knights. Even she had learnt sword-wielding to show the strength.

"Thank you, duchess Marianne. But we already had lunch with her majesty. I just came here to apologise once again, normally my children did not say so. Jammie was asking them to call Killian or complaint with his mother that he was not joining the game." she replied with a meaningful smile.

Everyone would think she was here to apologise, but I and Isabella knew better that she was here to inform me about the initiator.

Jamie, nephew of Isabella, Son of Monique Elena. So, that's why Isabella knew that they were going to fight.

I eyed Isabella as she was biting her lips and looked back at duchess Meredith.

"Thank you, duchess Meredith. Even I wanted to apologise for my SON'S rude behaviour.

He just gets a bit emotional sometimes. I hope you would not hold a grudge." even Killian bowed his head when I finished.

"Of course not, kids fight often, we adult should not take it to our heart," she replied with a smile putting a hand on the shoulders of her twins and they both bowed back taking the hint.

I must say she had trained her children well.

"Well then, see you soon," I added as she nodded and walked back.

We also left the place to bid farewell to the empress, as it was already rude enough to not eat with her at her own party.

"Her highness"

"Oh, Duchess Marianne, I hope you liked the lunch," she replied kindly not starting the matter a bit ago and I nodded.

"It was very thankful for you to invite us here,'' I replied in courtesy. but, oh my, did she took my words seriously as she said,

"Then, as a thank you, why don't you invite us for a lunch."

Though she said it as a suggestion, who in his right mind would deny the empress, especially when they wanted a favour from her.

So instead of not wanting to bear the hassle, I gave a bright smile as I nodded, "of course your majesty. I would love to invite you to my humble abode. How about next week?" at least this much time I needed to do the preparation.

She nodded, "next week it is, I will wait for your invitation." I just nodded and stood up but she added, "ah, Marianne, send a few extra invitations. My brother and Diana would also come."

Ok, I understood that royal princess would come, as she was part of the royal family. What would her brother do?

As if understanding my confusion she smiled further, "oh, you did not know, duchess Marianne? Philip, my cousin's brother, is shifted here as a part of the peace treaty. He is the foreign ambassador of our country now.

And he is posted under your husband's archduke for training."

Of course, he would be, like my father is known for his business, the Meredith family is known for their valour and knights, our family is known for their administration and strategies.

Just then Philip came from the other side and stood beside Empress Katherine,

"Are you alright, duchess?" just how many times was he going to ask that.

Still, I nodded with a bright smile, "I am, sir Philip," he could not be called royal highness anymore if he was going to work as an administrative officer in our empire. Right?

It didn't look like they cared how I addressed him as he nodded.

I thanked God when I saw Rosella walking towards us with the other two knights behind her.

Taking this as cue , I bowed my head a little and bade my farewell.

"Of course, I would not hold you for long. See you soon, duchess Marianne." her twinkling of eyes was telling me, it was more than just a simple meeting in her mind, but what could I do except nodding. So that's what I did.

I nodded my head as I walked out further when my eyes fell on Lady Baringstone, I thought she would never talk to me as I had hurt her feelings.

But she was much more forgiving than I had thought. In the past, I always felt guilty facing her, so not even once I tried to contact her or my mother. Faking the pride and ego of being the archduchess, I avoided meeting them at all cost.

Sometimes I think that if God had given me my life back just two years ago, I would not have hurt Lady Baringstone and would have accepted her son's offer to marry me.

As Cassius first wife would have been alive then.

[thank you for all the gifts.. you made my weekend special. love you guys]