The Noble Ladies Quarrel

The weather was calm— the spring heat of the glowing sun, the cool wind blowing east, and the fluffy white clouds covering the vast sky. It was so relaxing, especially here in the palace garden where all you could hear was the chirping of the birds and the never-ending stories of my two friends— Halley and Max.

       "I'll invite you all to my tea party tomorrow. My brother arrived from his studies and I would like to introduce you all to him, especially Brielle," Halley said, hugging me.

"Would there be any nobles invited? Is it okay if I dress like this tomorrow? It's my first time attending a tea party, " asked Max while eating cookies.

"Only the three of you are invited so there's nothing to worry about. And I can assure you that your clothing will not matter to my family," reassured Halley."Oh, Brielle! Where is your father?"

"He's with Uncle Albert. They're in the capital to sell some magic stones. We need money before we leave the Imperial Palace."

"It's unfortunate hearing that you'll leave," said Halley.

"Don't worry. Their house will be near the capital...You know the abandoned palace...that's where they will reside," whispered Max.

"That palace?! I thought it's not real," blurted Halley.

These two when it comes to gossip they were very active. Seeing them like this makes me laugh. 

In the middle of our conversation, a group of three ladies interrupted us, one of them was Oriana. "Oh, What a coincidence! I never knew you had a gathering here."

"That's a bit rude, Lady Halley. We've known you since we were young but you never invited us," said the girl behind Oriana.

Halley's face stiffened as she saw the two girls behind Oriana. They were smirking at each other as if they were laughing at Halley.

" I-I'm s-sorry. I just-just want t-to have a private t-time with my fri-friends, " Halley stuttered. 

The three of them snickered as they heard Halley stutter. Oriana suppressed her laugh and said, "I heard a while ago that you will be holding a tea party tomorrow. It would be such a waste if there were only three guests, right? Well, we'll be willing to be your guest, how was it? "

"I'm so-sorry La-Lady Oriana. I just w-want it to be wi-with only them," Halley replied, shaking.

"Please forgive me, Lady Halley. What did you say? We couldn't understand because you kept stuttering," mocked Oriana.

That's it! I'm pissed with these girls. They were mocking Halley and they were so rude to her. " Halley said that she doesn't want you to be there at her tea party."

Oriana raised her eyebrow and questioned, "I didn't know that Lady Halley hired a person who spoke in her stead."

"I'm also not aware that the three ladies have a problem in hearing. Even five years old understand what she said but how come you don't? "

"Maybe they didn't clean their ears," Max blurted.

Because of Max's hilarious response, Halley, who was shaking from nervousness, was now trembling from laughter. How could Max think of that in the midst of a serious situation? But I can't deny that it was a good one. Their faces were full of embarrassment and annoyance. Ah, I'm satisfied.

"How dare a commoner and a girl with unknown origin make fun of the princess," shouted the girl.

"Stop it, Ailsa. Lady Halley and her friends appeared to be lacking in manners. As a princess of the Empire, I'll let it slide. And since Lady Brielle will soon leave the Imperial Palace, it's best to let her enjoy her stay though I see that her head became big after months of gaining the favor of the Imperial Family."

"Take it back. Brielle is not like that!" Max rebuked.

"You're getting out of line, Lady Oriana," said Halley.

I couldn't hear what they were saying. As soon as I locked eyes with Oriana, something went wrong inside of me. I felt an enormous pain in my chest like my heart was shedding into pieces. And I felt a burning sensation in my eyes.

" We'll take our leave since we spent so much time here, and I'm afraid that I'll be late for my tea time with the Emperor. It was nice talking with you, especially to Lady Brielle."

Oriana, together with the two noble ladies, left us. However, the pain that kept radiating inside of me was still there. It became unbearable.

"Hey, Halley, what are the names of those two? We should report to Mister what they had said to Brielle. They are so dead!" 

"Max, I think there's something wrong with Brielle."

My head was spinning, my chest hurt, and everything I saw was blurry. 

"Brielle is so pale! She is hurt!"

"Who should we call? Mister is not here yet?!"

Ugh! The pain was so terrible that I fell to the ground. Max and Halley were so worried. I wanted to tell them to calm down but the pain was so much that I didn't have the energy to say some words.

"Head Priest! Please help us! Brielle is in pain," sobbed Halley.

"We don't know what the cause of it...she suddenly went pale," added Max.

I didn't know what was happening because my eyes were closed. All I could feel was someone was carrying me.

"It's okay. Trust me. I'll save you this time."

Who was that?

Whoever you are.

You said soothing words to ease the pain.