The Mad Princess and the Dying Prince novel Chapter 115

Autumn quickly helped Aurelia down, completely ignoring Zella and Lucia.

Stepping out next, Zella hesitated for a moment before extending a hand. "Let me help you down, sister."

"No need."

Lucia bypassed her offered hand and stepped down gracefully on her own.

Zella cast her eyes downward, looking appropriately hurt by the rejection.

"Aurelia!"

A bright, unapologetically loud voice rang out from the entrance.

Aurelia's face lit up with delight, and she hurried forward to greet the newcomer.

"Helena!"

Seeing the woman approach, Zella's complexion paled, and she shrank back slightly. How could she have forgotten? Helena Marsh never missed these gatherings.

Lucia caught the flash of fear in Zella's eyes but said nothing.

Instead, she studied the approaching woman.

Her eyes first landed on the woman's carriage—a grand, opulent transport that put the Beaumont family's rickety wagon to shame.

The girl enthusiastically greeting Aurelia was roughly eighteen, with high cheekbones and a sharp, elegant jawline that gave her a striking beauty.

Respecting the royal mourning period, she wore a pristine white gown, adorned only with a few exquisite jade hairpins and subtle silk flowers. She stood tall and graceful, like a delicate white lily.

Two maidservants flanked her, dressed in white skirts embroidered with faint earth-toned vines.

Clearly, she came from a house of significant wealth and standing.

However...

Lucia observed the dark aura shadowing her face, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"That is Helena Marsh, the eldest daughter of Lord Marsh, the Vice Minister of War," Zella whispered, inching closer to Lucia. "She and Aurelia are close friends. You should do your best to avoid her."

"She has bullied you in the past, hasn't she?" Lucia did not ask; she stated it as fact.

Two maidservants stood at attention on either side of the towering main doors, welcoming the guests.

Seeing that Aurelia was still endlessly chattering with Helena, Lucia simply walked toward the entrance.

After a moment's hesitation, Zella hurriedly followed.

The two maidservants instantly crossed their arms, blocking the path.

"Where is your invitation, my ladies?"

"She has it. We arrived together. Go ask her," Lucia said, gesturing toward Aurelia.

If Aurelia and Princess Corinna were such dear friends, she was surely a frequent visitor. Did these servants truly not recognize the Beaumont carriage? Even if they didn't, Aurelia was standing merely paces away. Had they gone blind?

Lucia scoffed internally. It seemed the coordinated attempts to humiliate her were already beginning.

"Then I must ask that you wait for your companion..."

The two maids stood firm, refusing to let Lucia take a single step inside.