Slander

The next day…

Aries wanted to apologize to Suzanne, Sybil, and Veronika right after they reached the Imperial Palace. However, she postponed it for the following day to give the ladies, especially give Sybil more time, as she was very terrified about it. 

The candidates were only granted a day's rest, but for emergency reasons, they postponed their lessons for today. They heard it had something to do with the current state of affairs and the emperor's mood. For Aries, it sounded too suspicious of a coincidence, but she didn't have the leisure to dwell on that. It worked to her advantage, anyway. 

"Thank you for accepting my invitation for tea." Aries smiled at the ladies sitting around the round table. She had prepared all night for this afternoon tea and even asked permission to use the pavilion, lest another candidate pick on them.