Diona's Undermining

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CHAPTER 11

"Thank you, Diona. The pleasure is all mine and yes I am from Meribia, anything wrong with that?" Era responded calmly but everyone could tell the deep meaning behind those words.

It just showed that she wasn't a pushover but who were they to judge just like that without knowing the entirety of the matter?

"Ah! There is nothing wrong. I was just curious about some things that's all."

"And what things if I may ask?"

"Just how small it was and how you must feel so lucky to have been favoured by King Vidor here."

Era smiled upon hearing her choice of words. It was obvious she was there to find trouble.

'So this is the lady troubler of the palace. Thank you for saving me the stress of searching you out. You just made things easier.' Era said within her. Her smile still shone brightly as she dropped the cutlery in her hands and picked up her glass of wine to drink from it.

Everyone's gaze remained fixated on her, watching and waiting to see if she got guts and how far it could carry her.

"Indeed my kingdom is small but we share a might like none other. We have what other kingdoms failed to have."

Saying that had not only piqued the interest of those seated there but of her husband as well.

'What they had that no other kingdom did not. What could that possibly be?' Lord Caspian thought.

He was one of the few who did scouting and all for the king. Before they took over a kingdom, they would scot to find out about it, its strength and weaknesses and every other benefiting thing it had.

In their case, they had scouted but they could not find any significant thing there. So when she said this, he was stunned and found her interesting.

Perhaps he could curry her favour for a little while till he finds out what it was and presents it to the king to secure his usefulness further.

"Really, what is it then?" Diona asked, suddenly speaking what was on everybody's mind.

"If I tell, then it wouldn't make it special anymore, don't you think?" Cunny. Even Diona found herself getting irked by how stylishly Era evaded her question but she had not seen anything yet.

She did not plan on giving up so easily. Her father had taught her several ways of getting out information from an opponent.

All she had to do was to undermine her, making her throw out all her cards to save her face.

'This small brat wants to play palace schemes with me. If only she knew she met a wrong opponent, she would retreat into her shell swiftly,' Diona thought with a smile appearing on her face.

Unfortunately for her, Era was not just a primped and properly pampered princess. He was the crown princess of her kingdom and she like every other prince would do, became very invested in matters of state, handling issues for her father.

So she was way too used to the scheming nature of palace life and one of the best things to do would be playing the fool in other to catch your opponent unaware, giving them room to think they had the upper hand, whereas, they lost the game even before it began.

"I see. To me, her majesty is just being simple and wants us not to know the truth because she is shy."

"Does that makes any sense?" Era countered. "What is there to be shy about?"

"I do not know, you tell me. I believe even his majesty would love to know what is it that your kingdom has that everyone did not have?"

"Since when did you become the spokesperson for the king? I think he has his mouth to voice out his option. I do not think you would want me to think that Etheria's king needs a lady to voice out his opinions for him. If that is so, then I think it is your people who should count themselves lucky to have me not the other way round."

"Watch your mouth, how dare you to talk like that about our king?"

"And who are you to talk me down? I am your queen."

"Only because he took pity on your sorry excuse for a kingdom."

"Your majesty? Your majesty?"

Era blinked looking a bit lost but smiled. She could not believe that had just gone on in her mind.

A minute ago, she heard Diona prying for the secret she had and now she thought she had quieted her down only to find out, she was just doing wishful thinking.

Alas! The small price to pay to win the game.

"Oh my, I am sorry. I just got lost in thought about that one thing."

"Then tell us. After all, you are my queen, there should be no secrets between both kingdoms anymore."

Era turned to his side. He was one to talk. Just now he refused to say anything, but when it came to a secret about her kingdom, he was suddenly interested in the matter.

"Ah! Since you put it like that, I am afraid I cannot deny a direct sincere question from the king. Fine, I would tell you."

She paused, taking her time to look at everyone's expectant eyes as she prepared herself to drop the bomb on them and change their thoughts about her for good.

"The one thing we have that every other kingdom seems to lack is, love, courage and respect."

0_0

Are you kidding me right now? They had least expected for her to say that was the secret.

"It really seems you still look at this kingdom as beneath your kingdom," your grace," Diona once again voiced out the minds of others.

"Look at us, our heritage, our conquest, do you still think we lack all of those? We are the epitome of strength and a beacon of hope."

"Are you now?"

'Cause all I know is how well you plunder the hearts and hopes of everyone.' Era thought.