The Mad Princess and the Dying Prince novel Chapter 120

Aurelia's face flushed hotly under their mocking gaze, her eyes reddening with humiliation.

These women were of higher birth than her and had always looked down their noses at House Beaumont. If she hadn't managed to curry favor with Princess Corinna and Helena, they wouldn't have even acknowledged her existence.

Her beauty far surpassed theirs, her wit was sharper, and her reputation was impeccable, yet they still treated her like dirt.

A pack of jealous, spiteful hens!

But Aurelia was a master of maintaining her facade.

She sniffled delicately, arranging her features into a mask of deep, apologetic sorrow, and curtsied low to the crowd.

"I humbly beg your forgiveness. My sister has only just returned from the wild lands. My parents, out of pure love, wished for her to observe the grace of true highborn ladies and learn how the civilized world operates. That is the only reason I brought her."

"I feared I could not watch her closely enough to prevent offense, which is why I brought Zella to help. I never imagined her nature would remain so... feral. When we return, I shall inform my father so she might be disciplined properly. Again, I offer my deepest apologies."

Because she lowered herself so thoroughly and spoke with such earnest sorrow—and considering it was Helena, not them, who had been insulted—the young ladies lost their appetite for cruelty. After all, they were more interested in seeing how Helena would exact her inevitable revenge.

"You had best have a good explanation ready when the princess returns."

Gwyneth, however, found Aurelia's words incredibly unsettling.

What kind of elder sister eagerly brands her own kin as feral and utterly devoid of manners in front of the entire court?

Combined with what Zella had just muttered...

Gwyneth couldn't help but look at Lucia. Suddenly, this fierce, second Beaumont daughter seemed terribly isolated and betrayed.

"Was this not entirely Helena's fault to begin with?" Gwyneth could no longer hold her tongue. "The moment she walked through the gates, regardless of any past grudges, Helena ordered her servants to assault Lady Lucia and force her to her knees. No one with an ounce of pride would tolerate such an indignity."

Lucia had been listening to Aurelia's treacherous babble and was preparing to respond, completely surprised that this young woman had spoken up in her defense again.

She turned her gaze to Gwyneth.

"Lady Marquis has arrived."

Several hushed voices rippled through the courtyard at once.

The crowd turned as one.

Lucia followed their gaze and saw two stunning young women stepping through the arched stone entryway.

The one on the left wore a gown of pale moonlight threaded with silver peonies. She had a flawless, aristocratic face marked by a tiny crimson beauty mark near her lips. Her figure was lush and stunningly curved, and she walked with her chin held high, radiating an undeniable, haughty presence.

The one on the right was dressed in a soft cerulean gown, dark locks cascading elegantly past her shoulders, giving off an ethereal, serene beauty.

Four ladies-in-waiting trailed dutifully behind them.

Gwyneth quietly shifted closer to Lucia and murmured, "The one on the left is Princess Corinna. The one on the right is the Prime Minister's daughter, Lady Marquis. Please, do not offend them."