"Ahh!" Yep, I drilled her right in the face. Her nose ended up busted and swelled up instantly as blood sprayed all over. I held my strength back just enough to not make her head explode, but I guess it was not enough because she hit the ground pretty hard.
While the other girls screamed out in fright. Surprisingly besides the always composed Adel, Miss Dollen looked at the situation with indifference. She clapped her hands and yelled out: "Someone come take this idiot and toss her back into her family's carriage and send her back."
After which, she turned to me and bowed her head. "Miss Cyrilia, Miss Sophie, I deeply apologize for what has happened here."
I was kind of stunned by the sincere apology from Miss Dollen. "No worries. I should be apologizing for being rash in my actions. Her words just now may have sounded nice, but there were full of malicious intent towards Adel. As such, I reacted on instinct."
"Loyalty to the crown proves how much you care about this kingdom. What is more, is that you are indeed Her Highness's best friend, so I can see why you would be angry. Please sit. I am sure no one else will be stupid enough to say anything they should not, am I right, ladies?" Miss Dollen turned and, just like my smile before, smiled at them, but her eyes were not smiling at all.
Adel sat down while I sat to her right and Sophie to her left. Next to me was Miss Dollen. I think she sat next to me because she now knew Sophie was not good with new people. All the other noble ladies had their heads lowered further than Sophie's. It seemed they were afraid to even look in my direction. And with me sitting between the host and the princess this means they could not even look at them. But as I was lost in thought, I realized something. "Ah… What was that girl just now's name?"
"No need to worry about some background character, Miss Cyrilia. Please have some tea and try the snacks. Miss Sophie as well…" Ummm… Miss Dollen, please remember that there is also the Princess here. She is staring daggers at you, you know!
"Oh, you are not going to offer me some tea as well, Mrs. Dollen?" Adel asked, her expression was no longer even trying to fake a smile but one of pure anger.
"Oh my! Look at me. How could I forget about you, Your Highness…. Hoho!" Miss Dollen replied while covering her mouth and laughing. It did not take an idiot to realize that Miss Dollen was doing this on purpose to rile up Adel.
I was about to say something because, in a way, I did not like how Adel was being ignored, but Adel pinched my thigh, stopping me. I guess she knew I was about to say something. I could only sigh inwardly as I watched the two dueling it out. I looked over at the other girls, who seemed to not even dare to sip their tea while Sophie was like a hamster munching on the pastry she was just given. Seeing Sophie more relaxed than the other girls made me chuckle. I guess she had a weak spot for sweets. This reminded me of the warning my mother gave me about following strangers with candy and made me feel I should remind Sophie of the same thing.
Next thing I know, a pastry was floating in front of my face. "Faith here, try this, say Ah~."
I couldn't help but give a wry smile towards Adel's strange actions as I opened my mouth and took a bite of the pastry. And well it was very tasty. Nobles really know how to make good food. It tasted similar to chocolate but had a different hint of flavor to it that I could not match with Earth's food standards.
"Miss Cyrilia, here try this." Another pastry began floating in front of my face, this time from Miss Dollen. I instinctively opened my mouth and took a bite. This one had a refreshing lemony taste to it. But if I knew this was going to be some kind of competition between the princess and the daughter of the marquess, I would not have opened my mouth because after that, I had different kinds of pastries stuffed into my mouth one after the other to the point that my cheeks were about to bulge out.
"Gwirls!" I cried out. I just wanted to be left out of your little quarrel! If I eat any more pastries, I will never be able to eat pastries again!
"Ah! Faith, I'm sorry!" Adel quickly wiped my lips with a napkin with an apologetic look while Miss Dollen handed me a fresh cup of tea. "Yes, sorry, Miss Cyrilia."
"I can breathe!" I let out a long sigh after I took a sip of tea. "It's fine. But if you two are going to fight about whatever, please do not involve me."
I looked at the two, who both lowered their heads with rosy cheeks, And nodded my head. Good, now I will not be used as a means to fight some strange feud. But for some reason, when I looked up at the other girls, they all looked at me with stars in their eyes? I wonder what made them change their attitude with me?
"Faith, this pastry is really good, try it." Sophie leaned over the table and placed a pastry in front of me. I did not know whether to laugh or cry. It seemed Sophie just missed the whole show because she was busy eating pastry after pastry. But seeing her dark expectant eyes looking at me, I could only sigh and resign to my fate as I picked it up and ate it, only to hear a yell coming from both sides of me.
""No Fair!""
"To think the true enemy was the silent one…." I heard Adel say in a low voice, and not even a second later, I heard Miss Dollen say: "Yes, I do believe you are right…." Why do I feel like these two are about to unite to fight a common enemy!?
