Chapter 89
“You’re trying to drag Cesar down to your level.” Rage blinded her. A buzzing sound filled her ears.
Just then, a young lady entered Mercedes’ line of sight. She was so lovely; her smile reminded Mercedes of a cherubic angel in a sacred painting. A sudden wave of coolness washed over her burning anger.
“Who is that?” The distance was too great to hear their conversation, but Mercedes could discern a few things: the lady knew Irenea, and their relationship wasn’t amicable.
“I need to find out more.” A good feeling settled over her. Mercedes quickly left her vantage point, unfortunately missing Giovinetta’s outburst – a tragicomedy she would never know she missed.
***
“Honestly, what was that? Marta, did you see what she did?” Giovinetta couldn’t contain her agitation. Marta, her elderly maid, stood beside her, terrified that her mistress’s fury would erupt into a slap. She diligently fanned Giovinetta and tried to appease her.
From the moment Giovinetta had announced her intention to visit the Second Miss, now the Prince’s Consort, Marta had anticipated trouble. They had been rivals since their days at the family estate.
Giovinetta’s fury showed no signs of abating. “My lady, such anger is bad for your health. Besides, your mother warned you to be mindful of appearances at the palace.”
“Hmph.” Giovinetta finally pulled out a small mirror and examined her face, checking for smudged makeup or perspiration. As she did, her anger gradually subsided. She let out a sigh, though her fury hadn’t completely dissipated.
“That girl hasn’t changed one bit.” She shuddered, remembering Cesar, the First Prince, placing that filthy, wriggling worm in her hand. Perhaps the rumors about the cursed prince were true. How else could he behave in such a manner? No one in their right mind would do such a thing.
Just then, an elderly woman approached them. “Greetings, my lady.”
“Who…are you?” Giovinetta was curious about this unexpected visitor.
“Oh, forgive my intrusion. I am Mercedes Aronzo, an attendant to His Highness, the First Prince.”
“An attendant to the First Prince?”
“Indeed.”
“And what business do you have with me?” Giovinetta recognized the name. Before entering the palace, her mother had provided her with a list of important figures within the court. The First Prince had few attendants, so the names were particularly memorable. One of them had been the prince’s wet nurse. This woman must be her.
Mercedes glanced around before speaking cautiously. “Forgive me, but I happened to see you speaking with Her Highness, Consort Irenea. I surmised you must be acquainted.”
She had approached Giovinetta after witnessing that scene. Giovinetta sensed that this woman might prove useful. With an elegant gesture, she returned the greeting. “I am Giovinetta Flores, eldest daughter of the Duke of Flores.”
Mercedes was inwardly impressed. Giovinetta’s demeanor was impeccably aristocratic. This is a true daughter of a duke. Her refinement is worlds apart from that bastard girl. The more she looked at Giovinetta, the more she liked her. If only this young lady had become the prince’s consort. Once again, her thoughts became muddled, a symptom that had plagued her since her separation from Cesar. “…If only,” she murmured unconsciously.
“Pardon?”
“Oh, it was nothing.” Mercedes quickly shook her head and offered a suggestion. “Your attire must be discomposed after the recent incident. Perhaps you would care to refresh yourself at my quarters?”
Giovinetta hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Something interesting is going on here. Her intuition, always sharp, had been piqued. The prince’s wet nurse should be on Irenea’s side, yet she was requesting a private meeting. It wouldn’t hurt to hear what she had to say.
Mercedes led them to a private room within the Jade Palace.
“Lady Aronzo, thank you so much for your assistance. You saved me from a rather awkward situation.” Giovinetta sipped the tea offered to her. It was ordinary. Despite being part of the Imperial Palace, the Jade Palace seemed rundown, even less impressive than her family’s estate.
“You are an attendant to the prince, you say? But why are you here alone, instead of with Their Highnesses?” Giovinetta subtly steered the conversation. Mercedes immediately pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes.
“I…I only wanted to help His Highness, with the purest of intentions.”
In that instant, Giovinetta sensed something amiss.
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