CHAPTER 168: TEA PARTY [PART 2]

"This is not enough, you know. They may enjoy you, but it’s clear they follow Sloane," Diana said. "They are just shamelessly enjoying their tea party, not once thinking about you."

"Trust me, Diana. From my experience with you, I have a few things up my sleeve now."

"Ho, what is that?"

"Never make an offer empty-handed. Firstly, they never expected this tea party or even my generosity. I’m giving them something to talk about even after they leave here today. Call it sowing a seed."

"I wonder what you have cooked up in that head of yours," she smirked. "Nothing good, I hope."

I gave a side smile. "The sweetest play."

"Play?"

"Power play. Something I picked up in Beloria. It’s very useful here, and I intend to see how far I can go."

Diana gulped at my words. "Gosh! You sound scary!"

I giggled.

The spoon tapping against the teacup grabbed our attention. It was Sloane.

"Ladies, where are your manners? Here we are shoving our mouths in biscuits when we should be thanking the queen for her generosity."

"Forgive us, Your Majesty."

"Thank you for this marvelous display."

"I enjoyed every bit of it."

"Same, Your Majesty!"

"It was excellent!"

"These are delicious!"

"Compliments to the chef!"

"I love the setting!"

"It catches the scenery quite well."

"Indeed!"

Their never-ending praise filled the space, and I just answered them with a warm smile.

"But you forget something, Your Majesty."

I veered my gaze to Sloane.

"The Dowager is not invited to this tea party."

This made bewilderment morph on their faces. Murmurs filled the table, and the once peaceful air turned hot with questioning.

"She is the queen, and yet it seems like the Dowager finds her unworthy that she hasn’t given her blessing. I mean, that is the only reason she is not entertained here. I wonder...could it be because she’s a snowblood."

Sloane has made her move. Too bad I already anticipated her bringing this up, right here and now.

Oh, Sloane, when you show your cards too much, there is no element of surprise.

"Your Majesty?"

I turned my gaze to one of the ladies. From her looks, I could tell she was Celia Everest. She came from a powerful house; her ability to speak up and not engage in murmurs like the others proved she held a voice in this crusade.

I smirked internally. Gotcha! I’ve been waiting for this.

"Is it true you’re a snowblood? Whispers fill the castle walls, and the wind carries them throughout the entire city. It’s been the topic of the people. The noble houses’ questions, but there are still no solid claims...yet."

Celia spoke with excellence, dare I say better than Sloane?

"We’re your inner court, shouldn’t you indulge us with the truth and put our minds to rest?"

"Watch how you question your queen!" Diana warned. "Ranting that mouth of yours can get you in trouble."

"Why should I care what a defect thinks?" Celia murmured, but she wasn’t being discreet.

Diana almost retaliated, but I held her hand to stop her, holding tightly, hoping she got my message to remain calm; thankfully, she did. But the brutal look she pinned Celia with told me it was far from over.

"Yes, the whispers are true, I’m a part snowblood," I declared.

"Oh my!"

"A snowblood?"

"Why did the goddess choose her?"

"The monarch slaughtered them on the battlefield."

"They are our enemies!"

"Yet, she’s queen!"

"She may be goddess chosen, but that doesn’t change what she is."

"She’ll taint the bloodline!"

"Will there even be a bloodline?"

"What has become of the royal family?"

"Will there even be a future?"

"Goodness!"

Sloane smirked in satisfaction. I grinned back at her, something she didn’t expect.

"Oh, ladies. I deeply understand your worry, but there’s nothing to worry about." I caught their attention, giving them the sweetest look I have ever conjured.

"My bloodline is very needed, even the Dowager says so too. Actually..." I pretended to be bashful. "She’s been pressuring me for an heir as soon as possible."

They gasped.

Sloane gave me a shocked expression, mouth hanging open.

"She told me how much my bloodline is needed to strengthen the royal family. I’m goddess chosen, and as you all know, the Fates never make a mistake. I wasn’t just destined to be a monarch’s mate but to pave a great future."

Sloane stood to her feet abruptly, chest heaving. I knew it was at the tip of her tongue to call me a liar and that there was no way the Dowager pressured me for heirs.

"Lady Sloane, is something wrong?" I asked, amusedly.

"O-Of course not," she forced a smile. "It’s getting late, we wouldn’t want to take too much of your time, Your Majesty. Shall we, ladies?"

I looked at them, and no one seemed to be willing to leave just yet. Still stunned by my words.

"Ladies!"

They collected themselves and curtsied to me.

"I’m sure you have much to do, I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again, and we can pick up from there."

Celia halted her steps, throwing a look over her shoulder before walking away.

~•~

"That went surprisingly well," Ravyn said. "I’m marveled by your ability to play this game well."

"Your Majesty is very smart!" Osha praised.

"Your Majesty," Talia said in a serious tone. "Will it still go according to plan?"

My hand was beneath my chin. "I hope it will, it went just as predicted. I knew every move Sloane would make. I just hope it’s enough to lure one person."

"Lure?" Osha questioned.

"As you know, curiosity kills the cat," Diana explained. "Certainly, after what Eloise said about her blood needing to strengthen the royal bloodline, she had opened a way to show her necessity to the empire."

"So luring means..." Osha trailed.

"One person will confront me," I said.

A knock suddenly came from the door.

I smiled. "Come in!"

The doors spread open, and Celia stepped in.

"May I help you?" I asked, acting surprised.

"Pardon my intrusion, Your Majesty, I know we shall meet in due time, but..." she lifted her gaze. "I came just to make such... does your bloodline truly ensure the future of our Empire?"