THE Knight's Hidden Princess
Chapter 119: Well That Went Well

Chapter 119: Well That Went Well

My plan was going so far so good and the grand plan was to keep Celeste in my sight and I do not care how I did it, even if it means I had to throw a gathering where she did nothing but try to make me jealous. But I commend myself for staying still throughout the entire day and the next day too where she got even bolder and sat down where I was supposed to seat during the painting session I had organized for them.

It didn’t matter though and still I let her. I didn’t miss the way the ladies snickered when that happened but I didn’t care. I would do anything to keep Celeste in my sights, my father said Celeste has to be dead within two days. I do not intend to kill Celeste but if she was alive I knew exactly what my father would do. He would send someone after before he sends someone after me to discipline me.

So I plan on keeping Celeste in my sight the entire time, all I have to do is just keep her in my sight till Reagan comes and when he does I was going to tell him everything. I grabbed a glass of orange juice and began sipping on it and from my peripheral vision, I made out Heather approaching me with a smile on her face.

"So far so good everything seemed to be doing well." Heather muttered as she stood behind me.

I snorted in response. "You think?"

"No," Heather heaved out an exasperated sigh, "Have you heard the things she is saying about you lately? She is saying when sire comes he is going to kick you and throw you aside. Gods, I wish I can tell them that sire has already declared his love for you..."

"Well he might be changing his mind soon, so don’t get too excited!"

Heather gasped out loud. "My lady you shouldn’t say stuff like that."

"Calm down Heather, you’d give yourself a stroke if you go on like this." I told her with a smile on her face as I turned around to look at her fully.

Heather groaned inwardly as she shook her head at me. "Quit saying things like that and I will be just fine."

I laughed as I handed her a glass of my juice with a smile on my face. "Hear, have something to cool down Heather."

Grabbing my drink, Heather sipped on it. I watched as she heaved out a relieved sigh as she downed the drink and when she was done, she leaned against the pillar watching the ladies who were now painting on their canvasses now.

"Do you honestly think this plan of yours will work?" Heather asked me with a sigh, "You can’t play guard forever and besides, it will arouse suspicion."

"Believe me Heather, I have no intention of playing guard for ever but if that is what keeps her safe then I guess I am willing to do it for as long as it takes!" I said as I turned my attention towards where the ladies who were seated on soft pillows, their chatter filling the air as delicate brushstrokes painted idyllic scenes on their canvases.

My gaze moved towards Lady Ivana who was busy lounging on the pillow, holding her brush with a bored look on her face. I stared at her, like really stared at her as if just by looking at her I will be able to figure her out. Lady Ivana was a strange one, the more I stared at her the more puzzling she seemed to be. She was a woman who carried herself with confidence, never one to shy away from speaking her mind and there was something else, something elusive in her demeanor.

There was just something about her and I don’t know if there was if it’s the fact that she was Lord Skarde’s wife but there was just something about off about her. But whatever it is, until I figure it out I need to be wary about her.

"And what is a servant doing drinking from a Lady’s cup?"

Heather and I looked up to see Celeste staring down at the cup in Heather’s hands like it was something disgusting. Her nose wrinkled as she stared down at Heather, "Such expensive drinks aren’t meant for the likes of you!"

Expensive please, it’s just bunch of orange that were being plucked from the garden, anyone can afford orange juice if they choose to want it! I thought to myself while repressing an eye roll.

Heather to her credit didn’t flinch, instead she bowed her head in respect. "Apologies my lady but I didn’t realize it was such an issue because I didn’t steal it but was offered by my kind lady."

Celeste hummed her gaze flickering to mine. "How generous of her." She said with a smile which was void any warmth. "Much like this gathering she is throwing around."

I forced myself to smile while shrugging at her. "What can I say? I’m just a generous soul."

"Yeah right." Celeste said with a huff, "Servant fetch me a chair!"

"Lady in waiting."

Celeste’s gaze snapped to me to mine. "Excuse you."

"Lady in waiting." I repeated, "I just find the term Servant so demeaning considering you were one yourself!" I said looking directly into her eyes.

Celeste’s eyes flashed in anger clearly not pleased with me. "Lady Dahlia!" She yelled at me in anger.

"Princess, Sweetheart." I corrected her, "I have been cordial with you lately, even as you demean my husband in front of the ladies as if he is nothing more than a sex toy!"

Celeste arched a brow up at me. "Oh is that what this is about? You are jealous I am Reagan’s favorite..."

"Lord Reagan!" I snapped at her, "From now on you will address him with his proper too and I do not care if you are an official concubine because that is all you will ever be! Just a concubine and you can forget about being Lady of the house, I’m afraid there can only be one and darling, you can dress in fancy dresses and adorn yourself with jewelry but all you still will be is a servant, a servant thirsty of her owner’s affection!"

Celeste’s eyes shined with unshed tears and it was then I realized that I might have crossed the line a bit. I winced mentally cursing myself for getting so riled up quickly. I have been trying to endure every bit of her presence, to rise above her taunts and provocations. But she had struck a nerve and I just couldn’t hold back anymore.

A thick and suffocating silence descended the room. Everyone seemed to have noticed the tension between Celeste and I and the women stared at us with unabashed curiosity. Even Ivana watched the entire exchange with sharp and measuring eyes trying to figure out exactly what was happening.

Celeste’s lower lip trembled before she set her chin, raising her head eye she stared down at me with a haughty face. "Oh well at least your husband comes to this servant’s bed every night which is more than I can say for you."

I didn’t say anything to that, didn’t even get angry because I knew it wasn’t true. She was just saying what it was to get a rise out of me and mostly because she was hurt. Seeing as I didn’t answer, Celeste huffed out a breath.

"Actually, I think I’m done for the day. I’d like to return to my chambers."

What? No! "You can’t leave." I suddenly said, "At least not yet, not when we haven’t had a chance to finish the painting and I’ve got some performance later!" I said not caring if I sounded desperate. She can’t leave at least not yet.

I have to watch her and not let her out of my sight. I can’t protect her if she isn’t within my sight. My father could probably have an assassin lurking about just in case I failed. It could be one of the guards or a servants or heck someone from town, he would probably give them lot of money to get rid of Celeste if I couldn’t do it myself. But I wasn’t willing to let that happen, Celeste might be a bitch but I wasn’t going to let her die!

Celeste’s gaze narrowed at me, "And why on earth, should I stay?"

I searched my head trying to come up with answers but I couldn’t come up with any. "Well because I said so." I finally said with a haughty expression on my face.

A scoff escaped Celeste’s lips. "Yeah, I think I’m done taking orders from you princess!"

"But..."

"We are done here!" Celeste said with a note of finality and after that she grabbed her skirt and turned around without so much as a backward glance.

Well that went well! I thought to myself as I turned to stare at the rest of the ladies who cleared their throats and went back to painting pretending as if they weren’t listening in our conversation but they were doing a poor job of it!

I sighed as I collapsed into the nearest seat while massaging my temples. It didn’t take long for the women to stand up and leave, coming up with excuses about feeling faint.

We were literally outside in the garden, in the evening? How can someone be faint?

But I didn’t say anything and instead watched them all leave one by one, including Ivana who gave me a smirk as she walked past me which made me wonder what she said about influence and power in the court being true!