Chapter 6
Theo was all apologies, swearing he’d set Jacob straight for daring to cross a noble.
When Juliette lingered, he stomped over to Jacob and landed a couple of sharp slaps, growling, “You’ve got some guts, kid! Blocking a princess’s way? Get on your knees and beg her pardon!”
Jacob stared at her, dazed, his head spinning. This wasn’t what he’d expected–not at all like Juliette had promised.
“Whatever,” Juliette said, flicking her hand. “I’m late to see Mother. You’re off the hook… for now.”
She sauntered off without a backward glance, not lifting a finger to help.
Theo swiped sweat from his brow and gave Jacob another smack. “Of all the folks to rile up, you pick her? Princess Juliette? You’re lucky I
didn’t wallop you harder.”
Jacob, grasping at straws, stammered, “But Princess Juliette’s kind. Why wouldn’t she help me?”
Theo barked a laugh. “Kind? Lad, you’re blind as a bat! You bad–mouthed Princess Luciana, and still, she made sure no one laid a hand on you before she left.”
Palace outsiders wouldn’t know the half of it.
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The twin princesses were like chalk and cheese.
Luciana, cool as a cucumber but warm underneath, always had the servants‘ backs when she lived at court. Juliette? She stayed aloof, never getting her hands dirty.
But cross her, and she’d hold a grudge–smiling to your face while plotting behind your back.
“Here’s the deal,” Theo said, fed up. “You ticked off both princesses today. Princess Luciana? She’ll let it go, no tricks.
“Juliette? Don’t hold your breath. She’s off to see the queen, and who knows what she’ll whisper.”
Juliette was a pro at grudges, all sweet talk up front but sharp as a dagger behind one.
She never did her own dirty work, always letting someone else–usually Luciana–take the fall.
If someone she’d wronged ever rose up, she’d cozy up to them, acting like she was pure as snow.
Jacob wouldn’t buy it. ‘Juliette, scheming? No way. She didn’t help me because she was rushing to see the queen, that’s all.‘
He believed once she was back, he’d beg, and she’d come through. He clung to that thought, ignoring the doubt creeping in.
Juliette was already late, and Jacob’s stunt made it worse. By the time she swept into Celestine Hall, Luciana was already chatting with the
queen.
“Mother.” Juliette pouted, hurrying to the queen’s side and nestling close. “I’m so sorry I’m late.”
The queen, soft as butter with Juliette, gave her a playful nudge. “What’s got you in a tizzy, dear?”
Juliette tossed her hair. “I came early to see you first, Mother, but some fool blocked my path. That’s why I’m late. You’re not mad, are you?”
With her batting her eyes, the queen couldn’t stay cross. She frowned. “Who dared stop you?”
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Chapter G
Luciana sipped her water, watching the mother–daughter scene like a stranger passing by.
The twins shared blood, but the queen always favored Juliette.
She had a knack for little tantrums, stealing her mother’s attention whenever it drifted to Luciana.
Luciana, the elder, let her have her way, never making a fuss.
Today, though, Juliette arrived late and saw Luciana laughing with the queen. That sparked her old game of stealing the spotlight.
Jacob was the perfect scapegoat. Sure, he’d blocked her, but she’d been late long before that.
In her tale, though, Jacob was practically a villain who deserved the gallows.
The queen Francesca eyed Juliette’s gown. “Such a lovely dress. If he’d ruined it, he’d be in deep trouble. Since it’s fine, let it go. A light scolding will do. We’ve just made peace with Velmora–killing a hostage now would stir up a storm.
“Their folk would lose it, and we’d be back divorcing with swords.”
The queen knew the line. A hostage couldn’t be beaten to death here.
Luciana kept sipping her coffee, staying out of it. Everyone knew Jacob wouldn’t die, even if Luciana didn’t step in–he’d just catch more
grief.
For the king and queen, if someone like Luciana vouched for him, it was one less headache. But whoever did would face the court’s scorn.
The old Luciana might’ve played savior. The new one? She just thought the coffee was mighty fine and left it at that.
Juliette fussed with the queen for a while until the queen noticed Luciana, sidelined and quiet.
“Enough, Juliette,” she said, pretending to scold. “Can’t you be more like your sister? She’s steady, grown–up. You’re too old for these antics!”
Juliette blurted, “Well, she’s been married. Of course she’s steady.”
The hall went silent, like the air itself froze.
Francesca’s smile vanished. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Luciana had been married, but her betrothed never reached Elarion City. He fell ill and died en route.
For common folk, that’d make her a widow–in–waiting, but for a princess, no such thing. The court hushed it up, acting like it never happened.
Yet Juliette–by accident or design–kept dragging it up, reminding everyone Luciana had been married.
Francesca glanced at tuciana, worried it’d sting.
It’d been a year. Luciana was young then, in no rush to wed, but the Duke of Chudleigh wanted his son to marry a princess to prove his loyalty.
He’d vowed to send the lad to Elarion City for the wedding, if the king agreed.
Back then, the Duskwyn Empire was locked in a bitter feud with the Velmora Empire. Hadrian Fairfax, Duke of Chudleigh, held the border, a key stronghold, and the duke’s offer was a show of loyalty.
The king, eager to tie their families together, had to pick one of his daughters.
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Juliette’d throw a fit like a spoiled kid. So, Luciana stepped up to the plate.
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Then the prince consort passed away. The royal family and Hadrian’s line were still tied by that marriage, though. Luciana didn’t have to play the grieving widow, but there was no undoing the vows.
The king’s plan was to let it slide–don’t mention it, and folks would forget it ever happened.
Juliette, though? She just wouldn’t let it rest. Every so often, she’d bring it up, like she was afraid people might actually move on.
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