As she was speaking, Tessa noted Cessilia’s dark expression. Her cousin was still at one of the windows, staring down at something she visibly didn’t enjoy much. Curious, Tessa joined her to quietly take a peek, Nana taking a glance at the next window too.
Due to the uneven structure of the castle, the windows often gave views of the lower floors, including some of its private gardens and patios. One of those was more like a promenade on what was the lowest floor of the castle, right above the sea. A little pathway of white stones had been arranged on some grass, and beautiful wood arches were spread out on that path, the green ivy growing on it adding some shade to the walkers. Further along that path, the arches were replaced by a natural rock arch, as the promenade turned into a corridor, and back into the castle.
“Oh, that’s the Sea Stones Corridor!” said Nana enthusiastically. “It’s so beautiful once you get inside, I’ll take you there next if you want!”
“Thanks, Nana, but it seems to be occupied by some annoying leeches at the moment...”
A bit confused, Nana frowned and looked down again to figure out what Tessa was talking about with such an annoyed tone. It took her a few seconds and a lot of squinting to see them.
It wasn’t because the three women were especially far, but because they were mostly hidden by the many plants covering the arches. In fact, without them moving and their colorful dresses, she might not have been able to see them at all. The three young ladies seemed to be slowly strolling down the promenade, and from the glimpses she could catch between the leaves, they were enjoying each other’s company. As she recognized each of them one by one, Nana grimaced more and more.
“Oh...”
“You did say we might run into some competitors,” groaned Tessa. “Who are the other two?”
“Lady Vena of the Pangoja Clan, and Lady Ashra of the Yekara Clan...”
“The same clan as that vixen from yesterday?”
“Yes, it’s her cousin...”
“Great... I forgot there would be two of them.”
Cessilia wasn’t saying a word, but her expression wasn’t good. Her green eyes were set on the trio below, and as she glanced down, Tessa noticed her cousin’s fingers tightly gripping her dress. This probably was because of the third woman, the one Nana didn’t need to mention. Her bright red hair was shining like a jewel among the trees, so much so that she was the first one the eye would see.
The King’s mistress, Jisel..
“...What are those three doing together?” muttered Tessa.
“I think some might want to get close to the King’s mistress...?” muttered Nana. “I’m not sure, but since she won’t become Queen anyway, they might have chosen to befriend her to get close to His Majesty... Both Lady Vena and Lady Ashra are very smart, and they are considered the prettiest in their families too. Their chances are probably good...”
“But?” asked Tessa, raising an eyebrow.
“I wouldn’t trust them,” grimaced Nana. “Out of all the candidates, those two are the ones I wouldn’t trust the most. They can be quite vicious... I heard Lady Ashra treats her servants very badly.”
Tessa sighed faintly and glanced toward her cousin again. Regardless of the other two women, Cessilia was obviously bothered by Jisel the most. Her eyes were following the red hair between the leaves with a complex expression, as if she was upset.
“Nana...” she finally said. “We still have t-time t-to p-prepare b-before the c-competition, right? B-before the first b-banquet.”
Her stutter was suddenly a bit worse, which worried Tessandra, but she was apparently the only one to take notice. Nana nodded.
“Yes! About two days, but it’s more than enough to place an order for a dress at the shop, and–”
“I’m not g-going to p-place an order,” said Cessi. “I want t-to g-go in my own c-clothes.”
“Oh, uh, alright... I mean, you probably have the prettiest dresses already anyway! So, I think you won’t need jewelry either... we only need to think about what you’ll do at the banquet?”
Cessilia slowly nodded, but her eyes were still stuck on her rivals below. Tessa glanced down again, only to realize they were also being scrutinized. Between the leaves, Jisel had raised her eyes, meeting the Princess’ gaze. For a few seconds, both women stared at each other, with very different reactions. Jisel was smiling and obviously trying to act coy, while Cessilia seemed upset as if she was staring at something deeply unpleasant.
After a moment, Jisel returned her attention back to the two women with her, and they resumed walking, slowly disappearing under the rock. Nana cleared her throat awkwardly.
“We can always visit it later. It’s much prettier at dusk anyway...”
“I already hate the idea of women putting up a charade to please a man, but to think you have to go against those vipers...” grumbled Tessa. “Nana, you seem to know the candidates. Anyone else we need to watch out for?”
“Not so much! I’m only friends with Nanaye, the girl from the Yonchaa Tribe, she comes here often too, but all the others, I only know them from reputation. I think the most serious candidates are the two girls from the Yekara Clan, those from the Pangoja Clan, and Lady Bastat from the Sehsan Tribe... Lady Axelane is often said to be the most beautiful girl in the Kingdom too, but I’ve never seen her myself. The Nahaf Family treats her like some precious treasure so she rarely goes out...”
“Great,” scoffed Tessa. “They all sound adorable... What a pain in the butt. At least, aside from that Jisel and the two Yekara vixens, they should be easy to deal with. How about a barbecue for the banquet, Cessi? Let’s put them all in a circle and call out Krai...”
“You’re not supposed to harm the other candidates...” mumbled Nana, a bit uneasy.
“Oh, I forgot about that... Not that I care much, though. Anyway, Nana, any suggestions?”
“I don’t know... I have an idea for myself, but I have no idea what the other women will do... Most will probably dance, sing, or play an instrument, I think. It’s a competition to find the best Queen, but the main goal is just to have His Majesty fall in love with them or just become the favorite, I guess...”
Tessandra’s eyes went back to her cousin, but Cessilia’s expression had gone back to being neutral. In fact, as she stepped away from the window, her eyes looked a bit lost, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.
“...Cessi?”
“I know what I will d-do,” she announced, visibly happier.
“Really?”
Cessilia nodded, and her smile made Tessa smile too. Although that Jisel woman was clearly a thorn in her cousin’s heart, she knew Cessi wouldn’t be so easily defeated. She hadn’t decided to come here all on her own, for her first time abroad, just to give up.
“Alright, the barbecue will have to wait. Come on, Nana, there’s probably more of this castle to see, and if we can avoid more annoying people on the way, that would be great.”
“They are allowed anywhere!” protested Nana. “It’s not like I can avoid the places they would go, I have no idea...”
