Mrs. Helena came back with a bouquet of roses. Mathasuenta loved them so much that she wants to see them daily above her bedside table in her bedroom. Luana was fond of flowers too but she wants to see them in their respective plants, not in their vases. Mathasuenta doesn't mind as long as she sees them and smells them. It's her kind of relaxation so, everyone just let her be. She called a maid to carry the bouquet and told her to put the roses in her porcelain vases. The maid nodded and bowed before leaving.
"Thank you for the unexpected visit, Your Highness. You can just favor someone to fetch the flowers but instead, you came over personally. I'm more than grateful to know that you love my flowers. You also came with Princess Luana." Mrs. Helena has the purest smile Luana has seen today. Mrs. Helena bowed again as Luana gives back the smile she was giving them all this time. Luana saw her sister take out a small bag of gold coins and hands it to the old lady.
"You're welcome, Mrs. Helena. I'll come to visit you next time. Your place has a refreshing ambiance. It keeps me calm," she said while closing her eyes for a second, savoring the natural aroma of the garden.
Luana once more looks around her place. Mrs. Helena has been living on the western side of the Garden of Fleur for years. She's also taking care of the whole garden together with the other gardeners who are working in the palace too. Her house isn't that big but it's enough for her family. They're helping the royal family to maintain the beauty of the garden and Luana was grateful that her family can help them too.
They bid goodbyes to each other and went back to the palace. A sudden thought came across Luana's mind. She wonders what happened to the princes and what her stepbrother, Costello, looks like. She hopes he has the eyes of their mother because they say, The Queen's eyes are like an ocean. It's blue and deep. You'll drown if you stare too much. Luana's more than proud to say that she got those and also, Merovecho and Alfonso.
---164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXFmHbFXFx
Luana didn't expect what she has just seen when they arrived in the white drawing room. Who would've thought that they can be this quiet and just glaring at each other's faces like they're about to hunt their prey in front of them? She can feel the tension and cold from their glares at each other. Luana turn her head to face Mathasuenta and they both shook their heads. She doesn't think this meeting will still be a greeting in the end. She doesn't think her stepbrother is really welcomed, she guessed. Well, except for Lucifero.
Lucifero, the oldest son, looked at the two princesses, greeted them, and told them to sit down on one of the couches and sofas. The guards are standing in the corners of the room, making the room filled with security. She sat down and look at the unfamiliar man. His hair is in medium length brushed on one side. He's wearing glasses that made him look smarter than without putting one. He's wearing a formal suit of black, embroidered with gold and his eyes are blue. Obviously, he's the only stepbrother, Costello Porrello.
"Now that we're all set, let us introduce ourselves to our stepbrother here since, we didn't grow up with him. Of course, he doesn't know our names." Lucifero sat beside Costello. Luana can sense that they have the same aura but Lucifero's aura is much stronger than Costello's. Alfonso, the third oldest son, cleared his throat and sat properly on the sofa, unlike Merovecho and Lothair who sat like they were going to sleep or probably, still tired even though it was still early in the morning. Their actions only mean they're not interested in the just-arrived stepbrother.
"I am Alfonso Amadeus Cleph Matias, the third son of the family and mostly, the kindest. The most handsome too, I must say. Nice meeting you." Luana can't help but giggled when she heard the last part. He's always like that. Proclaiming that he's the most handsome of all men in the whole kingdom. She knows that he's not that serious though but he's good at pretending he was.
"Alfie, I don't think you are," Luana said between her giggles.
"My dear sister, you should know that in the very first place. I am the- wait, can't you just support me? You always laugh whenever I said that." He frowned and shook his head. Mathasuenta secretly pinched Luana on her right arm, making her wince a bit to stop being childish.
Luana glares at her, questioning her what was that for and she just sarcastically smiled at her. Luana look back at Alfonso and seriously answered him for peace of mind.
"I did not and I can't just support you when you're too full of yourself." She honestly said to him. Alfonso was about to say something when Lothair spoke.
"Stop it you two. We're here for introductions, not childish fights." He said with a low deep husky voice. He combed his messy hair with his hand and looks directly at Costello. He keeps being quiet and just showing his half-smile.
"I'm Lothair Maximilian Arduin Matias, the second son of the family. Good to meet you." He nodded to Costello. He did the same thing to Lothair. He turned his attention to Erov, who followed his introduction.
"Merovecho Rosthari Lambert Matias is the full name." He said without giving him a look. He also did emphasize the word 'full'. Talk about being disrespectful. What does he mean? Luana knows him for being sarcastic but when he's like that to someone, it only means that he didn't like him. What happened that made the lively Merovecho go quiet in front of Costello?
Lucifero didn't introduce himself since he already met Costello months before and they became good friends because of the gun shooting. Mathasuenta lends her hand for a handshake and introduces herself. Well, the youngest will always be the last to do it.
"Matasuentha Angelina Karinfrata Matias," they shook hands but then he looks confused. Maybe because of her lengthy name. Luana also feels like she was the one who got tired of her every time her sister says her full name.
"Are you sure you never got tired of introducing your name?" Costello asked. Luana knew it, guess he's a bit honest. Mathasuenta just laughed. She always receives this kind of question.
"Silly, I won't," she said.
Luana was about to introduce herself when a knock was heard then the door opened and a maid entered the room. Luana's personal maid, Olivia, curtsied and look at them.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, Your Highnesses but may I excuse Princess Luana?"
"Why so sudden? What is it for?" Mathasuenta asked. Luana keeps on remembering why Olivia is here and why she needs her presence. Did she forget something that she must do today?
"Ms. Victoria, her royal tutor, is calling her to attend her class today in the Literature Room." 164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJdOwhAbsl
Gosh, she totally forgot! Luana's eyes widened and remembered that today is Friday. She's supposed to take her language class this morning. Why her maids didn't remind her earlier?
Luana stood up and apologetically bowed to her siblings. "I'm sorry but I have to go now. I forgot that I have a lesson today." She slyly smiled and turn towards her maid. Before she starts to leave, she turned her head to Costello to greet him first and finally introduce herself.
"Oh, by the way, I am Luana Ceci Georgette Matias, the youngest of the family. I hope to have a nice talk to you soon, big brother." They both smiled at each other. "So do I," he said then she curtsied and exited the room.
On her way to the Literature room, Luana hoped Ms. Victoria won't get mad at her tardiness. The thought of being complete with her siblings was just too exciting for her that it made her forget about her lesson for today. It was just a French class, it's as easy as making tea for a person who uses it as a second language.
"Your Majesty, do you have plans on what you'll wear tonight?" Luana faced her and come to a halt. What's with tonight?
"What will happen tonight?"
"As the request of the Queen, the palace will have a Grand Dinner tonight, my lady. People of the High Congress will arrive and some dukes, duchesses, and other high-ranking people are invited too."
So, it is a Grand Dinner. Luana doesn't know about this. Why does it seem like she doesn't know anything since she woke up this morning? First, about the meeting. Second, about the arguments between the King and Queen. Third, about her class today and lastly, about the Grand Dinner that will happen tonight. Should she blame Costello for all of this? No, of course. But ever since he arrived this morning, everything became eventful.
"Oh, alright. I'll choose later after class and lunch but first, I need to get to the Literature room before Ms. Victoria gets mad." She nodded and they both hurried to the Literature room passing all guards that they come across.
She arrived at the Literature room and took a sit in front of a standing lady, holding a stick and wearing thick glasses. She looks so fiery and annoyed. She drops some books on her desk making her startled. She made her mad a bit, expectedly.
"Late today, Princess Luana. Now for the punishment, read and recite all those books. I'll listen carefully." Then she sits on a chair. Luana glances at the books and reads the titles.
"These are all Spanish books. How am I supposed to read this when I can't even understand it and don't know how to read it? I thought it was French class today. That's easier." Luana complained that it made her shoot the princess deadly glares. She blinked many times and forced a smile. Guess she doesn't have a choice.
Thank God that she found the language not difficult to read. While she was reciting on her 51st page, she wondered what her siblings doing right now. Maybe they're preparing themselves for the Grand Dinner later. Did the greeting in the white drawing room end well? Luana hopes she can find her sister later to know what happened because her sister is an adventurous woman who loves to sneak out of the palace and go to places Luana's not familiar with.
When it was over, she bid goodbye to Ms. Victoria and she was told that she mustn't be late for their next meeting. Now, she has plenty of time to rest before the Grand Dinner. She went back to her room and found her maids cleaning her room.
"You're back early, Your Majesty," said Maria, her other maid. She was wiping the bedside table and stopped when Luana entered the room.
"Yes, good thing Ms. Victoria didn't get mad at me that much. She made me recite Spanish books as a punishment for being late. My head hurts and I think I need to take a nap before lunch." Luana said as she touches her forehead. Those Spanish books did this to her even though they're not that difficult to read but reading too much of a language you didn't understand is too much for her too.
"I can get you a tea, my lady, before you take a nap," Olivia said. She got a pair of maids and they're with her since she turned 10. They're just two years older than her. So, they became her best friends too.
"Yes, thank you, Olivia," she said and went to lay on her bed.
Tonight, it will be remarkable because the Grand Dinner is for Costello. He's getting a lot of recognition already. What more when the Queen introduces him to the people of Matias Kingdom? Many ladies will come to him for sure. All of her brothers got the looks and were very handsome as well, she admits. No wonder after he got introduced, many high-ranking ladies will be asking for a marriage already just like every ball or chance they get to go to the palace and interact with them before.
Luana can't wait to witness all of that tonight. She needs to look impressive and charming for she will meet many important people and friends later.
"Prepare my gown now, please."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
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