The Princess' Harem -
Chapter 162: A Trial of Grace
Chapter 162: A Trial of Grace
Queen Isabella, her gaze lingering in Viana. ’It is a difficult parting, of course, for a mother’s heart. But we leave our daughter in your capable hands, confident in your wisdom and your care."
She touched Viana’s cheek, her eyes tearful. "She is our treasure, truly. We hope she proves to be yours as well."
Viana felt a pang of a sudden longing, an ache in her chest as she looked at her parents. She knew the immense effort it had taken for them to travel here, unannounced, to face the Valendale Emperor’s initial wrath, all for her sake, for Elysia’s future.
Their display of humility, their willingness to accept this temporary limbo for the engagement, was a clear demonstration of good faith.
King Clive approached Viana, taking her hands in his. His grip was firm, reassuring.
"Be strong, my daughter, as you always are. Show them the true spirit of Elysia."
His eyes held a quiet pride, and a deep affection towards her. He smiled, a gentle smile of a father’s dotting for her daughter.
"We will return to Elysia, and manage it. We trust in your judgement here, also in Rayne’s. You don’t have to think too much about Elysia’s matter for now."
Queen Isabella embraced Viana tightly, a brief, fierce hug that conveyed unspoken worries.
"My dearest Viana, be brave. Be wise. Remember everything we taught you. Remember your duty, and your heart. We will miss you terribly, every single day, until we meet again."
Her voice was thick with emotion, but she pulled away quickly, composing herself. They turned then, offering respectful bows to the Emperor and the Empress, their faces solemn but determined.
"We shall take our leave, Your Imperial Majesties. We return to Elysia to ensure its stability, and to await your venerable decision regarding this most important alliance." King Clive announced, his voice regaining its kingly timbre.
Emperor Magnus gave a stiff, acknowledging nod.
"Travel safely, King Clive, Queen Isabella. We shall deliberate with utmost consideration, a blend of traditional reserve and newfound understanding.
Empress Isolde, however, offered a slightly warmer smile, a touch of empathy in her eyes.
"May your journey be blessed, and your kingdom prosper until we next meet."
As King Clive and Queen Isabella exited the private chambers, their retreating figures filled Viana with a mix of loneliness and resolve. They had done their part, a bold gamble that had, for now, paid off. The ball was now entirely in Viana and Rayne’s.
The door closed, and the silence in the chamber settled once more.
***
The next few days were a blur of introductions and carefully orchestrated appearances.
Viara, though still recovering from the long journey and the emotional toll of the private audience, found herself thrust into the intricate, demanding world of the Valendale Imperial court. Both the Emperor and the Empress, having heard the full, chilling account of Lazarus’s actions, treated her with a new, cautious respect. They understood the strategic necessity, yet their ingrained traditionalism demanded a thorough evaluation.
Empress Isolde took on the task of guiding Viana through the social circles. She arranged informal gatherings, polite teas, and small banquets. There were not grand celebrations, they were carefully curated opportunities for the Valendale nobility to observe Princess Viana, to assess her hearing, her conversational skills, her grace, everything about her.
Viana, ever mindful of Elysia’s fragile position, even though the reputation gained through her performance in dealing with the blight and the war, eventually with the Elven’s alliances with her. She spoke all about her kingdom, its people’s strength, its strategic location, and its enduring spirit.
She listened intently when Valendale nobles spoke of their own concerns, their interest. She smiled, conversed and quickly learned, adapting to the subtle current of the Valendale court, its unspoken rules.
Rayne attended every event with her, a steady presence by her side. Most of the time, his hand often resting lightly on her back, or his gaze meeting hers across a crowded room, offering silent encouragement.
He introduced her to influential dukes and counts, to powerful ladies of the court, always emphasizing her intelligence and bravery. He would bolster her image often.
But lurking in the periphery, was Lady Agnes. She was everywhere, it seemed. Viana felt her presence, and felt the threat she presented to her.
Agnes, the daughter of Duke Cassian, had, after all, been presumed future empress for years, groomed for this very role, her family’s ambitions tied directly to it. Viana was the unexpected, unwelcome twist in her carefully planned destiny.
Agnes did not resort to overt confrontation, unlike Olivia and her sister, both were Duke Callisto’s daughters, who often tried to harass her back in Elysia’s social circles. Agnes’s methods were far more insidious, designed to expose perceived flaws, to cause subtle embarrassments, to make Viana stumble in front of the watchful eyes of the nobility. Her aim was to make Viana appear clumsy, ill-suited, unworthy.
At one of the first informal gatherings, a tea reception in a sunlit conservatory, Agnes orchestrated her first attempt. A servant, seemingly by accident, jostled Viana’s arm just as she reached for a delicate porcelain cup of steaming tea.
The cup tilted precariously, tea sloshing over the rim. It was a small incident, designed to make Viana flinch, to perhaps drop the cup. But Viana’s reflexes, honed by years of training in archery, and recent survival after she regressed, were swift.
Her other hand reached out, steadying the cup before more than a few drops spilled onto the polished table. She offered a small, graceful smile to the flustered servant.
"No harm done, do not worry. These things happen, sometimes." Her voice was calm and clear, dismissing the incident.
The subtle attempt had failed, unnoticed by many, but not by Agnes, whose expression tightened imperceptibly.
Another evening, during a lavish banquet held in one of the palace’s smaller, yet exquisitely decorated dining halls, Viana found herself navigating the grand ballroom. Agnes, positioned near a cluster of powerful countesses, chose her moment.
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