"I can't decide for you, Charlotte. I'd only be in your way if I stopped you from going," Lucy said with a smile, leaving Charlotte speechless and at a loss for words.
Just then, a helper came with a message. "Your Majesty, all the guests have arrived, and the king is asking if you're ready to escort the princess."
"Tell the king we'll be there soon," Juliana instructed, and the helper left. She then turned to them and said, "Enough, enough. We can talk about this after tonight. Charlotte, go change your clothes. Don't make your father anxious."
That meant Charlotte was going to the dance. She beamed with happiness, nodding eagerly.
Once Charlotte left to get dressed, Juliana looked at Lucy with a guilty expression. Lucy gave a reassuring smile and said quickly, "Mom, don't feel bad. It's important for Charlotte to be there. I get it."
"Velda, you really are my good child!" Juliana was touched and hugged Lucy gently.
The coronation ceremony of the royal princess was a grand affair, with all the nobles and ministers from Charleston, as well as envoys from many lands, coming to bear witness.
The star of the show had not arrived yet, and the king was busy hosting the seasoned nobility in the grand hall. Old friends were catching up with each other.
Matthew was itching to visit Lucy in her private quarters, but Charleston's strict rules barred him from entering.
He could only grumpily sip his champagne. Though few in Charleston knew him, his distinguished air kept people at a respectful distance.
A group of young noble ladies whispered excitedly about the mysterious and handsome stranger.
"Who's that? I've never seen him at any of the dances before, and he's really good-looking."
"You're so clueless! The king invited members from the delegations this time. I bet he's one of them," said one woman, thinking she had it all figured out. Her friends nodded in agreement.
She pointed at Annabella, but words failed her. Annabella just walked away.
The woman grew even angrier while her friends quickly tried to soothe her.
"Come on, you know how she is. She's always quick to put someone in their place."
"Right, we've all been on the receiving end of her sharp tongue. If you take it to heart, it'll just eat you up."
With some coaxing, the woman finally calmed down. However, she still felt bitter watching Annabella leave.
"Hmph! So what if she's going to be the princess? The prince hasn't even said he likes her. Who's she trying to impress?"
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Never Tired of Mr. Leon's Love
Update “find me in your labyrinth” novel please...author is MIA for 7 weeks.........
Update “find me in your labyrinth” novel please...author is MIA for 5 weeks......