Abandoned Princess [Old version]

Chapter 77

I continued to watch Magnolia on my peripheral view as I greet Azalea.

My curiosity was piqued at Magnolia's action that I couldn't focus on what the two-faced woman was telling me.

Magnolia clearly knew Azalea. While the latter ignored her acting like she's a stranger.

"—but I wish if it's just the two of us." Azalea glanced at Magnolia.

Quickly Magnolia excused herself, stammering in fear. "S–s–si–sister, we'll be going now. Enjoy yo–your tea. Let's go, Carsien."

Carsien on the other hand looked at her with a confused and worried face. "Please excuse us then. I'll see you at the party." I didn't miss how his eyes sparkled in excitement before he got dragged away by the suspicious Magnolia.

"Come now, princess. I brought some cake for us to enjoy." Without waiting for my answer she turned around and walked expecting me to follow her which I did. Might as well know what her plan. "Are they your friends, princess?"

Feigning ignorance, huh. Good job for trying to clean the mess that Magnolia made but you're not fooling me.

I played along, answering, "The girl is my half-sister and the boy is a friend of Aiden. I don't think I can call them my friends."

"Why not?" She asked sounding a little bit too curious.

"No particular reason," I said vaguely and looked at her.

Azalea's expression didn't change. Still smiling she glanced down at me making my skin crawl. I wanted to avert my eyes but I shouldn't back down. "Is that so?"

"Yes."

We went to a sitting room at the Emerald Palace that faces the garden. Assorted cakes and pastries were already placed on the table.

Tea was served after we sat across each other.

No wonder men haven't given up for her hand in marriage. She was really eye-catching and does look young for her age.

I pondered, when the time comes and she enters the age of 40s would people still call her that? She's no longer a maiden but an old hag.

Hag of Virginity.

I continued to eat the cakes without touching the tea while she talks about her memories of my mother.

". . . and when the kingdom got invade by your father's family, Selene was imprisoned at the Silver Palace making it hard for me to visit her."

Silver Palace? The palace where I used to live.

So it wasn't because it was far away from the main palace that Edmund put me there, was it? I did explore the Silver Palace but there was no trace of the queen living there as a prisoner of war. No hidden codes or letters.

But wasn't Azalea being obvious? She kept on eying on my untouched tea. I could even feel she's being agitated. She underestimated me that she thought I wouldn't notice her subtle actions because I was a child. It made this easier than I thought.

Is it poisoned? I asked myself. That's too reckless if she poisoned my tea. A lot of the servants saw us walking together a while ago. Carsien knew I was having tea with Azalea, he'll be a good witness. If not poison then what?

I'll have to find out then.

She finally stopped looking back at my tea after my hand reached the teacup. As I sip on tea Azalea said, "Your father should consider remarrying. With you and your brother are still young, it is best to have guidance from a mother."