Chapter Eleven
The Duchess retired for the night, leaving Diane, Eliose, Elise and Richard. Diane soon followed, then the two girls. Richard was the only one who stayed back.
"Why did brother not go back with us?? Does he have someone to meet??".
"I believe the Duchess asked him to stay behind. He probably wants to find a wife". Although I don't know which woman will dare to marry him due to his reputation. He might have spread the rumors himself but that did not change the fact that it has done it's damage.
"A wife?? It will be nice if he gets married to you". Elise wondered aloud. Diane stared at Elise in horror, that suggestion did not sit well with her at all.
"Elise, you should not say that. Lord Richard will get married to someone that is almost equal to him in status and not a fallen noble". Diane replied. Elise's face changed. She really wish Diane will really belong to the family.
The rest of the ride was uneventful and quiet. The three girls went to their rooms to rest.
"My feet hurts...". Diane removed her shoes, the red marks on her ankle didn't seem it will fade anytime soon.
"I have a bottle of ointment somewhere around". She started looking for the ointment to rub on her ankle.
" There it is. How did it get there anyway". At the top of the shelf, the bottle of ointment laid there. Diane's hands certainly can't reach that high so how did it get there. The Servants hardly ever enter her room since she cleans by herself, she is used to it.
"I must have dropped it there someday". Forgetting about it, Diane took a small chair so she could climb it and take the ointment.
What she didn't know is that, the chair wasn't stable.
As soon as she climbed the chair, the leg of the chair broke and she fell.
"Ouch!!". She cried out. Tears gathering at the corner of her eyes.
"Lady Diane, are you okay?! What happened??". Elise ran from her room after hearing the loud thud.
When she got to Diane's room, she met Diane on the floor.
"I'm fine. The chair was wobbly so I fell". Diane tried to stand up.
She hissed in pain "It seems I sprained my ankle from the fall".
Maria complaining voice touched the heart of some people. The Royal Family is definitely in harmony!! Unlike others whose whole life are built on scheme's and lies.
"Hahahahaha!!". The King's booming laughter reverberated in the hall.
"Your Elder Brother knows he will be spanked if he doesn't do the work he is supposed to do".
" Father... Elder Brother has been working for a few days straight. He is allowed to have a break".
" Okay. When he finishes the one given to him, he will be allowed to have one". The King finally succumbed to his grown up daughter's charm.
" Thanks Daddy!!".
Diane stared at the exchange with twitching lips. She doesn't know if she should laugh or smile at their father and daughter bond. However, something doesn't seem right.... The Queen's expression. It didn't seem right.
"Ahh Right. Where is my Sister?? Maria??".
" I am here. Greetings Your Highness". The Duchess greeted but she didn't bow. The Duchess is exempted from bowing to King and Queen.
"Maria... It's been a long time since you last visited me at the Castle. Did I do something wrong??". The Queen asked, her lower lips trembling.
Anyone could see the sisterly love between them.
"No Your Highness, you did nothing wrong. I have been busy with my affairs, that is the reason why I have not visited. When I am done, I will make sure to visit your quarters".
Why is it that when the Duchess says stuff like this, it looks lile she's flirting??.
"Alright!! Sister, you promised!! I'll hold you to that!!".
" No worries Your Highness".
From beginning to end, the Duchess did not look at the King. The King wasn't concerned either. Hidden rivalry ran between their veins.
Diane observed the emotions that connected the family. The Queen's love for the Crown Princess isn't real, from her hidden actions, the Queen shouldn't like the Princess.
The Duchess retired for the night, leaving Diane, Eliose, Elise and Richard. Diane soon followed, then the two girls. Richard was the only one who stayed back.
"Why did brother not go back with us?? Does he have someone to meet??".
"I believe the Duchess asked him to stay behind. He probably wants to find a wife". Although I don't know which woman will dare to marry him due to his reputation. He might have spread the rumors himself but that did not change the fact that it has done it's damage.
"A wife?? It will be nice if he gets married to you". Elise wondered aloud. Diane stared at Elise in horror, that suggestion did not sit well with her at all.
"Elise, you should not say that. Lord Richard will get married to someone that is almost equal to him in status and not a fallen noble". Diane replied. Elise's face changed. She really wish Diane will really belong to the family.
The rest of the ride was uneventful and quiet. The three girls went to their rooms to rest.
"My feet hurts...". Diane removed her shoes, the red marks on her ankle didn't seem it will fade anytime soon.
"I have a bottle of ointment somewhere around". She started looking for the ointment to rub on her ankle.
" There it is. How did it get there anyway". At the top of the shelf, the bottle of ointment laid there. Diane's hands certainly can't reach that high so how did it get there. The Servants hardly ever enter her room since she cleans by herself, she is used to it.
"I must have dropped it there someday". Forgetting about it, Diane took a small chair so she could climb it and take the ointment.
What she didn't know is that, the chair wasn't stable.
As soon as she climbed the chair, the leg of the chair broke and she fell.
"Ouch!!". She cried out. Tears gathering at the corner of her eyes.
"Lady Diane, are you okay?! What happened??". Elise ran from her room after hearing the loud thud.
When she got to Diane's room, she met Diane on the floor.
"I'm fine. The chair was wobbly so I fell". Diane tried to stand up.
She hissed in pain "It seems I sprained my ankle from the fall".