My Fiancée Hates Me [Completed]

Chapter 95: Tea Party

The Queen Dowager Iris or Erik's grandmother and King Arundel's blood related mother invited my Mother and I to her tea party in the Royal Castle. When a member of a Royal Family invites one to a tea party, one must attend no matter what unless they wish to face the social wrath of Queen Dowager Iris.

Queen Dowager Iris preferred unmarried girls to wear light pastel colors. My mother chose an elegant off the shoulders A-line pastel blue dress with beautiful white embroidery over the sweetheart neckline for me. To cover up the bug bite mark Erik left, I wore a white Venice lace collar with silver chains and a transparent crystal pendant. I also wore my hair down and wore a short lace veil with pearl barrettes on both sides.

The battle between women is quite scary. That is why this exaggerated appearance is necessary piece of armor for me as well.

"Welcome Duchess Maddox and Lady Arielle," Queen Dowager said with a gentle smile. She was wearing a dark purple dress with pearl details. "It seems that you have worn pearl accessories in your hair as well, Lady Arielle."

"I have admired Queen Dowager's sense of fashion for a long time. Although it does not suit me as much as it suits Queen Dowager, I wanted at least one article of mine to resemble Queen Dowager's when I heard that you were going to wear pearls," I said eloquently.

"I am flattered! Please sit with me, Lady Arielle," Queen Dowager said as she asked me to sit beside her.

"I am honored that Queen Dowager would allow me to sit by your side," I said.

I had gladly taken the seat beside her and soon felt a strong stare from the person sitting on the other side. It was a woman wearing dark blue dress with a hat that also came with a veil that covered her face.

From her key features, I could just tell that she was Erik's mother Queen Gaelle whom did not like to show her face in public. I never sat with her at a table before even in my first life with her, so I find it a bit odd that she even came to this tea party.

"Lady Arielle seems to have it all...good manners, etiquette, and is a beauty," Queen Dowager said with a kind smile. "It must be difficult maneuvering through all of the marriage proposals constantly coming to your front doorstep."

Erik and I were said to be engaged, but have yet to make a formal announcement, so it is assumed that I am still single to most people.

I have not heard of any from any other suitors from my parents either, so maybe I lack the potential to be a wife in most people's eyes?

"Queen Dowager is benevolent. I am actually quite unpopular," I said.

"Modesty is a redeeming quality as well, Lady Arielle," Queen Dowager said.

The tea party went on very well after that. There was light gossiping about the newest fashion trends to topics about foreign desserts amongst the attending ladies.

I would have liked to listen more about the foreign desserts had it not been for the Queen Gaelle's incessant staring that kept me uncomfortable throughout the entire party.

"How are things with you and Prince Erik?" Queen Dowager whispered to me.

"...Splendid," I answered with a smile.

It was not long after that the tea party was adjourned.

Queen Dowager held both of my hands and smiled kindly at me.

"You were a very pleasant guest. I hope that we will have more tea parties like this together in the future," Queen Dowager said.

"I would be honored," I answered.