Kamaria was very bored; she had been yawning behind her teacup almost every time she took a sip. While the others were having something stronger, she was having tea and even Velia kindly agreed knowing that she couldn’t handle alcohol very well.

The company included Velia’s closest friend Elodie Mercier, a daughter of one of the richest merchant families in the capital and Edan Dunbar, whose father was Secretary in one of the government ministries.

All the imperial princesses and the two cousins from the Vilaro family were also present in addition to their attendants and a few palace maids. New to the ensemble was another young man named Mirek with the last name of Łaska the same as Urien.

“Isn’t that right little sister?” Velia asked.

Lili seeing the distracted look on her princess’s face, subtly updated her on the conversation.

“This Princess can’t say she knows,” formally answered Kamaria.

“It seems as though the imperial little sister doesn’t know many things,” joked Elodie and most of the company laughed.

The words were seemingly said in jest, but they barely had a relationship to make such jokes between each other. Raisa’s face twitched but she behaved herself for the sake of her princess.

An incompetent little troll who could barely add five and five was calling Kamaria an idiot. It was almost laughable. When Raisa thought about it that way, it calmed her down. Edan sneered as took a sip of his drink, so no one noticed the unusual expression.

When he looked at Kamaria, he couldn’t help but think of Khayri. The youngest prince was a known loafer, but he acted very lofty in front of people considering that the sister he favoured seemed a little too simple. The least she could do was to be able to keep a social conversation as a noble.

Her face was probably the best thing about her. Speaking of which, Edan finally had a chance to see her at a closer range. The view wasn’t bad at all.

The girl was a little plump, but it made her curvier than her sisters and it added to her appeal. Velia noticed the way Edan was studying Kamaria and her expression cooled down for a split second before she regained the sweet smile for her guests.

“I hear the Princess qualified for the Imperial Academy. Will she be among the students when the new year starts?” asked Mirek, trying to lighten the obviously heavy mood.

“It’s quite sad she only qualified by one point. It would just make things difficult trying to pursue that path,” said Velia, the tone in her voice indicating that she felt the most pain for her sister.

Kamaria thought if she had known how often they would bring up the matter of passing by one point she would have failed the exam. On the other hand, her pride would have never let her fail the exam or even miss out from participating in it in the first. She could only internally roll her eyes at Velia’s performance.

“Don’t worry Seventh, the Academy has a few young scholars but lots more stuffy old men. I’m sure you’ll find a good match who’ll take you in instead of you wasting your time,” said Velia enthusiastically.

“Princesses are made to be treated gently after all. We don’t have to worry about such common things as careers,” added one of the twins.

Kamaria turned to who had spoken up and stared at her for a few moments. It seemed that they were silent the entire time just waiting to speak in her defence. In the presence of outside company, her sisters doubted she would do or say anything, not that she ever spoke up when it was just them either.

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“Does Princess Yrsa mean to say that Aunt Princess Zorya is in fact no good as a noble?”

Yrsa almost spit out her drink at the mention of their aunt and although she realised that she had indeed implied it by saying that princess didn’t have to worry about careers, it wasn’t what she meant at all.

She was merely poking fun at the girl in front her, nothing serious. Even a few of the others had paled at the words.

“Of course not, she has a career because her family have always been military officials. It doesn’t count,” insisted Yrsa trying to maintain a calm air while recovering.

Kamaria was too lazy to look up to see her sister getting flustered while Raisa almost laughed, and Lili looked away with the smallest smile.

“Well anyway, it’s nothing. If mere bed warmers can do just fine in splendid households, the Princess is much more educated and has nothing to worry about,” commented Elodie with a smile.

Raisa almost made a move, but Kamaria gave her a sideways glance. It was not easy for either Raisa or Lili to stand such crude remarks especially not from a random no one suggesting that all Kamaria could be compared to, was a plaything to be raised by someone.

In fact, how could anyone be able to stand such a thing being said about them in public but here was Kamaria bearing it with a small soft smile. From the corner of her eye, she saw someone completely unknown to her approaching so, she ignored Elodie’s comment to see the development of the situation. Was it someone else invited to the little social?

The young man had a fan matching his light-coloured clothing and his beautiful face looked like a portrait in the light especially with the loose braid bouncing on his shoulder as he walked. He seemed to spot the occupied pavilion and headed towards it. Just his luck to find some entertainment.

The new arrival walked closer to the pavilion and found the maids outside quite charmed and distracted so he walked right past them while they were thinking about if he was an elf prince of some sort.

“Oh, here I find quite a lovely pavilion on my tour,” he said calmly while stepping into the pavilion.

“Who dares step into the presence of an imperial princess without announcing themselves?” asked Elodie.

Kamaria couldn’t help but notice the man’s stunning face turn disgusted for a second while looking at the Elodie before returning to his charming smile. The other two cousins did nothing but longingly stare at the newcomer.

“Oh, princesses? I’m sorry, I don’t think we’ve ever had the pleasure of being introduced.”

The gentleman did not introduce himself just yet, in fact it seemed as if he was looking around at the people in the pavilion. He knew or had heard about almost everyone in the pavilion but there was one person he hadn’t had the pleasure of meeting.

After the searching gaze, he chose a seat and occupied the empty chair at Kamaria’s small tea table. He smiled at her as if they were best friends, but she didn’t find the smile or his presence unsettling. It merely made her curious.

Raisa and Lili glanced at each other questioningly. They would recall ever meeting such a striking person.

“Am I in the presence of Princess Kamaria?”

“That is this Princess,” she answered.

“Good, good but Princess, how did you ever find yourself in this company?” he asked as if feeling bad for her.

Velia’s corner of her lips subtly twitched. First, this man had rudely walked in without announcing himself or bowing, then he had completely ignored her and paid attention to Kamaria of all people. Did he also somehow imply they were bad company? Not one but three offences to infuriate her.

Kamaria thought her afternoon would be boring, but this young man was proving otherwise.

“Oh wait, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Reza, of the loyal Shafaei household.”

“Lord Reza, pleased to meet to you,” said Kamaria and she turned to nod at Lili.

The young woman stepped forward and turned over the clean cup on the tray to pour this visiting Lord some tea. He crossed his legs while observing the situation as she served. These attendants were well trained he noticed.

They had to be close to the princess to know what she wanted without her saying a word. Even if took years, some people never cultivated a type of relationship with this understanding. Such trust especially in the palace was rare.