HIS DECEITFUL WOMAN

33. Deserve

A/N: Second upload for the day. Hope you're still enjoying. Thanks for the support. ^_^

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 The Eakins siblings prattled for a while to ease themselves in the midst of nobility. The two halted when a small conversation was heard not far from their seats.

"Are you excited about the upcoming selection of the Crown Prince?"

"Of course! Who doesn't? But..."

"But what?"

"Hmm... Word travels that the First Prince will be disqualified because the officials are now having second thoughts about his real identity."

"Oh yes. Though he greatly played a part in lifting our nation through his various businesses and investments, too bad he's not of royal blood." The other person said with a final tone and showed some disdain.

"His marriage would likely become a laughing stock."

"As if a wedding will happen." The person couldn't help but try to say it in a whispered manner.

Mia's eyebrows twitched on what she heard. She started to be irritated and was controlling the heat that she's feeling at the moment. She looked at Neero as he mingled with other businessmen around the hall. She couldn't help but secretly glared at the people who's smearing him.

Ridiculing the First Prince is not giving face to the monarch couple too. She thought that this had something to do with Duchess Viola. She never fails to ignite jabs of mockery towards her man and is someone who challenges the crown for a long time.

Thomas heard it too but was able to maintain a neutral face. He already knows about the relationship of her sister with Neero and doesn't bother with it as long as Mia is happy. He covered Mia's hand and signaled her to be calm. He doesn't know if it's a good idea that he acknowledge the Shechems and is one of them now.

"A fairy day to all! The King and Queen have arrived!" The master of ceremonies announced from the center podium.

Everyone stood up and bowed in respect to the royal couple. The King signaled for them to sit down and said a few words regarding the commemoration.

After the remark, the program started and people started to pour out inside the hall.

Mia excused herself to the comfort room. As she walked, she held her sweating forehead.

"It's kinda humid here.' She thought to herself. Or maybe the banquet hall is really suffocating for her. After some time, Mia found the bathroom and stayed there for a while. She redo her make-up as Milda, a renowned cosmetologist, taught her between her gigs as a model. She discovered peace until someone barged in.

Blargh!

A vomiting sound rang through the corners of the room. A girl in a off-white dress knelt on one of the cubicles.

"Miss, are you alright?" Mia asked.

"Uhm.. Yes. Just having an upset stomach." The lady replied and spewed again. Once she settled, she came out of the cubicle and washed her mouth and face.

Mia observed the woman who has pale skin but possesses a unique beauty. She noticed her green orbs too and smiled thoughtfully at the reflection beside her. She reached for a tissue paper and handed it to the lady.

The woman flashed a warm smile in return and dried her face with the clean sheet. Next, she covered her lower face with a customized cloth.

The action is weird for Mia but didn't comment at all.

Afterwards, the two beautiful women marched straight to the banquet hall. They were walking side by side.

"Thank you miss..."

"Mia."

"Oh. Nice to meet you, Miss Mia. It's good to know a few people in this place. You can call me—" Before the woman could finish her sentence. Someone called her name.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the wait is over. Lady Melinda is here! Time to dance with your prince." The emcee winked and hyped the crowd.

A gorgeous man marched towards the doors of the hall. His eyes dimmed at the moment but continued on his way.

Mia ignored a slight sting in her chest and directed her steps on the sides as Neero reached for Melinda's hand. He led the way to the dance floor and abruptly fulfilled his duty.

From one corner, two pairs of sardonic eyes were watching the show carefully.

"Aww.. would you look at that." A woman with a round stomach said in a sarcastic tone. She was the one who planted this kind of idea to the main organizer of the party who was standing along with her.

"Thank you dear. You never fail me." Tamar chuckled on the sides and looked at the misfortune of Mia that moment. She came to know the particular woman because of Ruth. 

"Of course. What are friends for?" Ruth said and had a good laugh with the princess.

Mia discreetly exited the hall again while all the attention was focused on the two characters on the dance floor. She just stood across the banquet hall beside a floor-to-ceiling window.

A hand gently nudged her right arm and a cup of hot tea came to her view. She accepted the drink and sniffed the lavender aroma. She side-glanced at the woman who gave it.

"I trust that you've been well... Amelia."

"Thank you, your grace." Mia uttered with a straight face and sipped the liquid before turning her body to face Duchess Dinah.

Tara, the personal attendant of the duchess, stood not far from the women to give them privacy. She made sure that nobody could hear the conversation between the two.

"How... how have you been all these years?" Dinah couldn't help but to ask.

"I've been good. It was quite a journey but it was great." Mia replied and turned her gaze at the scene outside the windows. It was now gloomy outside, seemingly cooperating with her emotions.

"You're really sure about this? I thought you cared. Let me act on this alone. You deserve to be happy." Dinah uttered. Her heart was shred to pieces a long time ago and the feeling of it still lingers. If she persisted from the earlier years maybe both of them could...

"I'm sure of it. Been thinking about it for a long time. You deserve to be happy too. We deserve to obtain the justice that we need...

...mother." Mia said with a resolute mind.