n

n

nI and Rosa stared each other down. Her eyes were throwing daggers, while mine sparkles in mirth. It was like an epic showdown.

n

"U-uhmm…

" Kannan voiced out,

"Cookies?

"

nTwo servant girls came in with trays and placed the cookies and cupcakes on a little tower. They left afterward, but no one made a move to even grab one. The civil war was still ongoing, and the air was filled with tension.

n

"Ah! Rosa, aren't you on the list of the Crown Prince's prospective Fiancee?

" Gwen suddenly utters.

nRosa raises her chin in a proud stance.

n

"Of course!

"

n

"But isn't Beatriz on the list too?

" I chimed,

"Her brother is one of Prince Ezekiel's vassals as well..

"

nBeatriz did not reply but just continued munching on cookies in silence. I turned to Rosa while still doing that fan thing.

n

"Oh my, Rosamunde. You have a tough competition ahead! Maybe you should suck up to me! I might give a word to my cousin about you,

" I offered.

n

"Hohh? You were not on good terms with the Prince, weren't you?

" Chiwa rebutted.

n

"Right? I heard the Prince hates her,

" Shar Pei, the lady who cried from before, joins.

n'This girl wants me to make her cry again huh.'

nRosa smirks at me,

"No thanks.

"

nGwen laughs at my side,

"From which cage did you hear that rumor from?

"

n

"You!

" Shar Pei exclaimed.

n

"Oh look, Nadia! She's barking again!

" Gwen declares which made me laugh as well.

n

"Heh~

" Even the cold and silent Beatriz lets out a snort.

nGwen turns to them again,

"For your information, what you just said is not true at all. Didn't you even see the Prince welcoming her in the last assembly? Prince Ezekiel personally invited her to join the council you know.

"

n

"Fufufufufu~

" My eyes trained at Rosa who was frowning,

"I will gladly welcome you in my entourage, Rosa. But only if you kneel.

" I laugh behind my fan.

nRosa's face turned sour. She opens her mouth, then closes it off.

n

"How dare you!

"

n

"Or you can beg,

" I added.

n'I really like seeing her face turning red in anger. Fufufufu~'

nRosa stands up in anger and points at me. I just look at her straight on, not feeling threatened at all.

n

"You will pay for this!

" She huffed and glowered at me.

n

"Sure, mail me the receipt okay?

" I responded.

n

"Pfft!

" Gwen

nRosa was at a loss for words, and I could see her eyes staining red.

n'Wait, is she going to cry? What? HAHAHAHAHAHAH'

n

" ! ! !

"

nShe then turns around to leave the party, the four other girls immediately tailing behind her. Rosa was literally dragging her skirt in a hurry and stomping loudly.

n'What a child…'

nAfter they were gone, the table was silent for a while.

n

"Pfft-- HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

"

nGwen and I burst out in laughter. We couldn't hold out anymore, my stomach was hurting from all of that. Gwen was even gasping for breath, while Beatriz was chuckling beside me.

n

"Oh gosh,

" I gasped and wiped the tears of joy that peeked in my eyes.

nThe others, who were watching, looked at us meekly. Like they could not decide what to say or do.

n

"Did you see her face just now? Hahahaha Hilarious!

" Gwen uttered in between her laughter.

n

"You were all 'fufufufu' as well, like a villainess,

" Beatriz mumbles.

n

"You were so cool earlier Bea,

" I complimented her while still stifling my chuckles.

n'That was a good laugh.'

nMy eyes caught sight of Kannan on the other end.

n

"Ah, I apologized for that Kannan,

" I stated with sincerity.

n'I forgot that she might get sad because of this. I feel guilty now.'

nKannan smiled cutely,

"It's okay! I actually liked them gone…

" she mumbles and let out a sigh of relief.

nThe others sighed as well but they looked more relaxed than before.

n

"Me too, I am glad they are not here now,

" the one beside Kannan voiced out. She was a petite girl with curly blonde hair, tied into two pigtails.

n

"My mom sent the invites for ten people but Miss Rosa wanted to attend as well and pressured us, so we have no choice but to oblige,

" Kannan confesses.

"I had to remove two others for her either.

"

nMy heart went out to her. She had looked very sad while saying that.

n

"Ah, but I really am thankful for Miss Nadia! Thank you for accepting my invitation!

" She grinned and shyly looked down.

"I wanted to meet you…

"

n

"I wanted to meet Miss Nadia as well!

" The curly-haired girl joins.

n

"Me too! I also wanted to see Miss Gwen and Miss Beatriz.

" The other one beside Bea declares.

n

"Me?

" Gwen looks surprised.

n'Oho~ Is that so?'

n

"Don't worry about what Rosa said earlier, the tea tastes good,

" I genuinely said.

"I actually have something for you! Let me just get it from the carriage, I forgot to bring it with me.

"

nKannan blushes, ���It's fine Miss Nadia!

"

n

"Just give me a moment,

" I uttered and stood up from my chair.

nI left the garden and made my way outside to go to my carriage with Kannan's servant leading me outside.

nMy eyes caught sight of four familiar figures standing in front of the gates.

n'Huh? Why are they still here?'

nAs soon as I'm out, the four saw me and their already sullen faces got even worse.

n

"Oh? I thought you're all gone home?

" I inquired.

n

"Tsk.

" One of them snickered. Was it Chiwa? She sure is feisty.

nI looked at the guard at the side who didn't know what to do.

n

"Why are they still here?

"

nHe glances at them,

"They came together with the other Miss, but she left them here and returned alone.

"

nI blinked and looked at them again. A small chuckle escapes my lips.

n

"Is that so…

"

nI then got to my carriage and grabbed the box that I asked Lily to be put inside while I was getting ready. The servant girl carried it for me and as I was about to go, I called for the coachman.

n

"Get these ladies back to their homes,

" I ordered and gestured at them.

n

"Yes, milady.

"

n

"No, thank you!

" Chiwa refuses.

nMy brows raised at her,

"Oh you don't want to? Fine then, you can stay here,

" I glanced at the three other girls.

"You don't want it as well?

"

nRian Husky chewed her bottom lip, glancing at Chiwa and to the carriage. I was being generous here, it was still high in the afternoon and the weather was hot. Either they wanted to get burned under the scorching sun, or swallow their pride and take it.

nSeems like Chiwa was the only one who had the highest pride out of them. Rian immediately hurried to get inside the open carriage. Shie and Shar Pei followed suit, leaving the bristling Chiwa at the side.

n

"Pride won't get you home, little girl,

" I stated and sauntered back to the garden.

nI didn't get to see her reaction, but I knew just from her surly expression, she was not amused by what I said.

nI got back to the garden and saw the girl beside Beatriz was now sitting in front of her. So is the other girl from the other end. They were merrily having small conversations and smiled when they saw me.

nThe servant girl placed the box in front of Kannan who blushed profusely.

n

"It's a gift from me,

" I said.

n

"You really don't have to but thank you, Miss Nadia!

" She beamed.

n'Ah, I like this atmosphere better.'

n