“I feel a bit bad for being jealous,” said Dahlia. “I’m already well aware that Princess Shareen has taken many lovers. The servants talk, you know. I know she likes to play around, but somehow, since Lady Missandra was different from them all, I just got… a bit worried.”
“I guess it can’t be helped. We feel jealous when someone gets close to our loved one.”
“Is it the same for you, my Lady?”
Cassandra nodded. They were slowly tending to all of her plants, as Cassandra didn’t really feel like going to the Celebrations yet. Moreover, her Prince was busy at the moment, and she didn’t want to go there without him. So, she was just taking her time, taking care of her garden, and collecting some leaves in the basket Dahlia carried for the First Prince’s decoction.
“Yes… I guess one can never feel at ease,” she sighed.
“You should! His Highness the Third Prince obviously only has eyes for you!”
Cassandra chuckled, picking another flower.
“Thank you, Dahlia.”
However, Cassandra felt somewhat awkward discussing her personal feelings with someone else. It was part of her personality, she was still incredibly shy about her own relationships. She felt like Kairen and her shared something she wouldn’t have been able to share with anyone else. Cassandra liked thinking of their bond as something…special.
A little while later, Missandra came back with a little smile.
“Alright, I sent it! I hope they can answer soon.”
“I hope so too,” said Cassandra. “We planned to leave for the Diamond Palace as soon as the New Year Celebrations are over.”
“So soon?”
They turned around. Immediately, Cassandra frowned, pulling her younger sister.
Phetra was standing at the entrance of her indoor garden, with a nasty smirk. She was wearing a very revealing purple dress, and a little golden diadem.
“I believe you have no right to be here, Your Highness,” said Cassandra.
“No right? If a slave can be in the Imperial Palace, why can’t a Princess be?”
Cassandra tried to remain calm and composed. Phetra wouldn’t be stupid enough to do something to her in the Third Prince’s apartments, would she? Moreover, was she ever going to let go of the slavery thing? This was really getting old, even for her.
“Ah… I guess my older brother really went the full way for you,” she said, glancing all over at Cassandra’s garden.
Calmly, she stepped forward and pushed one of the plant pots onto the floor, making it break on the ground. Cassandra clenched her fist. There really was no end to that woman’s childishness.
“Have you just come to mess around, Princess Phetra?” she asked.
“Well, I was bored… And hearing that you didn’t have your usual pet around… I couldn’t help but come and visit.”
She stepped forward, breaking yet another two pots.
“Please stop!” yelled Dahlia. “Those plants are important to My Lady!”
“Shut up, servant,” retorted Phetra, crashing another pot onto the floor.
“I wonder if his Highness the Second Prince knows of your presence here?” said Cassandra.
Phetra froze. Cassandra had hoped her brother’s name would somewhat make her react, and she was right. She had noticed long ago how Vrehan was cold to everyone, including his concubines and sisters. Phetra probably only had a very limited amount of trust and liberty from him, too. Moreover, from what she had witnessed, the Second Prince hated confronting Kairen or Shareen directly. He had abandoned one of his concubines to her death because she had acted on her own with that snake. Though he probably wouldn’t want his sister dead, he certainly wouldn’t see her actions in a good light either. Any time Phetra had stirred up trouble or fought with Shareen, the Second Prince had stayed out of it, leaving Phetra in her own mess.
“Don’t you dare talk about my brother!” growled Phetra.
Cassandra was scared of her, but not to the point she would step back and let Phetra act however she wanted. Not in her garden, and especially since this part of the Palace was part of Kairen’s apartments. Half-siblings or not, she knew no Princess or Prince who wasn’t Kareen’s child was allowed here.
“These are my Prince’s apartments and my garden. Please go back,” said Cassandra.
