Kennedy's pov:
Well, what has it come to? I'm being replaced by a commoner?
Ugh! it's better to use the best out of this situation.
"Um Petra..., I'm so sorry about our earlier banter. I'm Kennedy and we are going to be great friends".
Narrators pov:
Petra nodded once, she wasn't stupid and she knew the kind of person Kennedy was but, because she knew their difference in status and standards, she decided to play along
"I hope we get along well" Petra said smiling warmly
"We definitely will" Kennedy's voice sounded sweet but a cold glint flashed across her eyes. Her smile was halfhearted.
Not long after, Levi returned to the room, Kennedy's eyes lit up. She got up, about to speak, but before she could utter a single word, Levi spoke first.
" I will be leaving for business" he said, not sparing her a single glance. Kennedy dug her nails into her palm once again. She felt pissed, she took her seat.
"Petra," he continued " stay out of trouble" his voice low and cold
Petra got up and bowed immediately, Levi sighed, leaving the room. Petra let out a sigh of relief.
There was a moment of awkward silence before Kennedy suddenly spoke
" Well since leviathan is so worried about you getting into trouble, I'll take this chance to keep you out of it." she looked at Petra with a smile
"Oh, I see. thank you so much" Petra smiled at Kennedy
" No worries" Kennedy said linking their arms together
"Let's have some fun. Oh yes, I have a tea party invitation," she said facing Petra
"Let's go together, heads will most definitely turn once they see you, Leviathan's fiancée and I the most influential Noble's daughter together there. You must prepare." She separated their linked arms, taking her pet, she turned for the door, she turned once again
" I will arrive by carriage before the sun reaches the horizon. See you then Petra" she smiled as she exited the room
Petra's POV:
The door shut behind me as I stood there still smiling.
'a tea party?' I had just been invited to a party of high-class people, was I to go? I took my seat still thinking to myself. His highness had previously said for me to stay out of trouble, what did he mean by this?
I got up from where I was seated. I had to make an impression today and not disgrace myself.
Narrator's POV:
Behind the door Kennedy stood for a while with an evil smile
"I'll make this an unforgettable event" she laughed as she walked away.
The sun reached the horizon, as the carriage took a stop in front of a fancy estate. The ladies took a step out of the carriage. Kennedy stepped out wearing a graceful blue dress paired with pale silver shoes, she styled her hair up into a bun designing it with flowers paired with rose shaped earrings. She looked lovely yet elegant. She was greeted by some ladies as she stepped out.
Petra who had stepped out in her graceful yellow gown designed to the highest bidder; it was made by one of the most expensive tailors in all of the kingdom. Her neck was adorned with pale white pearls with her hair let down styled with flowers. Her earrings took the shape of clouds. She looks beautiful yet no one acknowledged her presence but even still she didn't let this bother her at all. She followed the crowd into the mansion, once inside Petra realized that the number of people present for a tea party was more than she expected. As she followed behind Kennedy and her entourage, she heard whispers.
"isn't that the one that is to be wed to the prince" one said to another
"Yes, I heard she bewitched the family" another added
"I heard she was picked from a lowlife family as payment for a certain debt"
"Why would Lady Kennedy even come with her"
Petra kept her head down; she was used to being ridiculed already.
Kennedy's POV:
I heard It, the whispers. This was it, what I wanted. I quickly rushed to her side linking our arms together. This was my chance to get her on my side. I whispered in her ear
"Ignore them, people will always whisper. Don't worry you have me; I'll always stand by you always." I said with a reassuring smile she smiled back at me. I watched as eyes followed us until we sat together. We sat across my friends, a circle of influential ladies. I smiled as I introduced them
"Ladies it's nice to see you" I smiled
"I hope you don't mind my extra" I chuckled along with everyone, I continued
"Yes, lest I forget let me introduce you to Petra. Petra these are my friends, Belle, Anne and Lucy. And ladies she need no introduction, does she?"
Petra smiled at them innocently "it's my pleasure to meet you"
"The pleasure is ours" Lucy said with a smile
I gave her a smile because I knew that smile well enough, that was the smile that screamed mischief, she was going to do something shocking. Just as I thought, Lucy suddenly spoke
"So, Lady Petra, why don't you tell us about how you met his highness, because not many people have been able to catch his eye, but here you are about to become his wife. Please tell, I'm sure we all want to know." Lucy took a gentle sip from her cup, this was it.
"Ooh I would love to know how romantic it was" Belle spoke chuckling
"I'm sure there were flowers involved" Anne said playfully
I smiled to myself stealing a glance at Petra, her face was flushed she looked embarrassed, this was my time to step in.
"Ladies, let's leave her, I mean she won't want to tell us about it, I'm sure it's quite the story to tell" I said playfully as all of us laughed
Petra smiled weakly, but I knew that smile was halfhearted. I was totally sure she was feeling embarrassed. I was genuinely enjoying this. But this wasn't the end of it. I had to do something that will shock everyone. Then an idea came into my mind.
Narrator's Pov:
Kennedy stood abruptly with her teacup in hand and smiled at Petra softly before leaving their tale, she walked towards the podium, she clinked her China with a spoon gently. Everyone stopped what they were doing and faced Kennedy. She cleared her throat gently
"Good day everyone. I hope you are having a great time. I want us to address the elephant in the room" whispers erupted from all corners in the room. Everyone was curious as to what Kennedy wanted to say
She smiled and continued "you see we have a special guest here with us today." She smiled again moving a little to the side
"Here with us we have leviathan's wife to-be." Whispers erupted as all eyes fell on Petra. Kennedy scoffed
"Why don't you come stand up here with me Petra" she smiled politely
Petra's Pov:
My heart dropped as I heard those words 'Leviathan's wife to-be'
I wanted to sink deeply into the ground, but I didn't instead I stood up walking carefully towards the podium. Whispers followed as I moved
"She doesn't even know how to walk gracefully'
"Unfit for a wife is what I'll say"
I swallowed hard
Leviathan's words rang in my ear
'Stay out of trouble' what exactly was I even doing here. My foot stepped onto the podium as I stood right beside Kennedy, she smiled once again
"Petra now that you are here why don't you say a word or two?"
A word? What was she trying to pull off? There was no way I was going to speak, but if I didn't there would be an issue, so instead I smiled like an idiot and nodded.
"I'm happy to be here today. It's my honor to here among you all" the words came then stopped followed by silence. I gulped, people whispered, judged. It was happening, I had done it, disgraced myself Infront of high-ranking nobles. As if sensing the awkwardness Kennedy suddenly chuckled
"Such a bold claim I must say" everyone laughed, I smiled unsure of what exactly was 'bold' about what I had said. She had said this playfully but somehow those words were like a stab wound. I turned leaving the podium when suddenly trip!!! I heard it my gown had ripped from behind leaving a huge tear, Kennedy's foot was right on the hem. She suddenly released her foot which led to my tripping, right into a table, tea went everywhere, my clothes, the floor
I felt embarrassed as Kennedy rushed over
"Oh, my goodness, be careful. Are you hurt?"
Silence I couldn't speak I just placed my arm around her shoulders as she helped me up. The whispers grew even louder
"Talk about karma"
"Clumsy for a princess. Even after making such a bold speech. Pfft"
I dropped my head down
"Lady Kennedy sure is amazing"
"If I was in her place, I would have left her there"
What have I done; I had just done the one thing his highness had asked me not to do. Kennedy sat me down on a chair
"you've scraped your palms; you must return to the manor immediately. I'll prepare the carriage" her voice was soft, but it hit like a slap
"I'm sorry for all of this" I whispered my voice cracking at each word. Kennedy smiled
"No, it's okay" her voice sharp and audible, eyes were on us for a little too long. I swallowed hard, wincing through pain.
Soon enough the carriage had arrived and I stepped in, leaving Kennedy behind. I took one last look at the crowd only to meet the glares of most of the ladies.
'Oh no I had gone to make enemies for myself'