XLIV

(A/N: Hello! Ola! Annyeong! Moshi moshi! Kamusta? I'm sorry for the long (super) wait for this chapter. It took me 5 months to update again. First, my laptop wrecked as in I haven't access my files for months, goodness, all my stories are there, but fortunately, I got it. Then, my entire semester sucked. I was in school for the whole day, and study the whole night so I have no chance to write. I'm happy that few days from now, semester break will come! I miss you so much that's why my author's note is so long. I hope you enjoy this chapter. And, don't worry, my next update won't take months again. Maybe tomorrow or the day after it. Enjoy!)

XLIV

My sight disregarded Leilanie Jayei's face because it noticed the picture behind her. It was made of expensive stone frame and the image showed how happy the newly wed was. Ella's smile was almost irrevocable while Isaac suggested something the night after their wedding.

I suddenly wondered if there was already a hard copy of my wedding's picture so I could slap it on Leilanie's face.

How I wish I could do that.

How I wish she would get angrier if she learned about my wedding with Alexander.

She advanced to me and I did not see that she had something in her mind. She stopped just inches away from me and I felt her hand slapped my cheek.

"Don't ignore me, you whore!" she shouted and I heard sharp gasps from the other women in this room, "Even though you rounded Alex's brain for the past few days, it doesn't mean that you're above us! You're not yet a princess, whore!"

Whore? Was that how she saw me? Was that how other people also felt for me? A relationship with Alexander was giving me an appearance of a whore, was not it?

Don't get affected, Shirley. My subconscious reminded me. She only taunted me or embarrassed me in front of these strangers. She was a socialite and I was nothing. The audience were like watching a superstar and an extra trying to win the leading man's heart. Well, in Alexander's point of view, I was the superstar. However, in front of these rich gals, they thought the opposite.

I could still feel her hand on my face. Supposedly, I was crying right now. But, I wanted to laugh and mock her. Yet, it was still a bittersweet revenge if Alexander was the one who would tell her about us.

Her hand rose again in the air to slap me, but someone caught her hand before it could reach me.

"Stop it, Leilanie," Her Highness's full of authority voice could collapse Warden's mansion.

"Victoria," I whispered and saw how her face raged with anger. Her green eyes darkened and her usual jolly expression turned into disgust.

She pushed Leilanie's arm back to the shocked lady. She could not believe that the sister of the person she really loved would scold her.

"You acted like above everyone else here, have you forgotten that I'm here?" Victoria seriously said, "I'm a princess, you should kneel and bow in front of me then kiss my foot."

"Hey, Tor..." even Ella was surprised of what the princess had said.

She just waved her hand and continued her speech, "Let's face it now Leilanie, I know it's not the right time because I might spoil our party, but I can't help it."

I suddenly became nervous of where this conversation would go. My eyes transferred from one lady to another, and it was not definitely alright if she would reveal what happened last three days. We could not trust everyone here.

The princess pointed her finger to the businessman's adopted daughter, "Leilanie, I'm tired of dealing with you since you get along with Alex. I don't know what he saw in you. You're a real trash here, which is only covered by an affluent wrapper that's why these women accepted you immediately."

Silence occupied not only the living room, but the whole world. No one wanted to start a whisper as if there was a lion in front of them and it would eat them if they spoke at least a letter.

The African beauty suddenly chuckled unladylike. She looked at me intently before eyeing the princess, "Uh, so you finally found a comrade, Victoria. I don't like you from the very beginning, the reason I'm getting in your ugly nerves. You also felt the same to the woman who almost destroy your family, right?"

"Shut your trap!" Her Highness yelled and forwarded to Leilanie, but Ella and I prevented her.

"Stop it, both of you," that voice topped over everyone, even Victoria. I heard it barely, but I was familiar with it because of its unique mixture of softness, braveness and confidence.

The women in the middle of the living room made an aisle and almost bowed their heads when that lady walked passed them. She wore an elegant blue gown that matched her eyes. Her hair was simply curled, but a small head dress made it looked like a work of art.

"Princess Emily," I heard Ella breathed as if she saw a goddess.

"You're here?" I thought Victoria's aversion would lessen since she saw her sister-in-law here, but it seemed like doubled or tripled.

"Idiot, of course, she's here because this is Women..." Leilanie did not continue her words because Princess Emily interrupted her.

"What in the phrase 'stop it' you don't understand?" the future queen directly asked Leilanie as if there was a century old barrier between them.

"Ha! Now, you're an ally of the person who despised you most!" she responded, which made Princess Emily winced. Almost. I could see her move, but she returned to her cool and poised immediately.

Honestly, I could not catch up of whatever this conversation pertaining to. I knew there was a history with these people, but at least a little freaking idea could not reach my mind.

"Say one more word," the wife of Prince Nicholas smoothly said, "You're going to see yourself next hour in an airplane."

"What?"

"You don't know that I have a power to deport you to your country. You're saying words that damage the royal family's name," Princess Emily glared at Leilanie before she could respond. She clapped her hands twice that gathered everyone nearer, "Arguing is not the right welcome to our new member."

"New member?" everyone asked simultaneously. Leilanie's face showed the same question.

Princess Emily gestured her hand toward me, "Ladies, she is Shirley Woodman, the new member of Women's Society."

"How?" one of the women asked. I was too stunned to acknowledge who spoke.

"You'll know in the right time. But, now, let's enjoy tonight's party. I hope what happened earlier will not indulge our gathering," Princess Emily looked at me and smiled sweetly, "Right, Shirley?"

I did not know what to say so I just nodded. Suddenly, Princess Victoria removed our grips in her arm and ran back to the door where we entered.

"Victoria," I called her and tried to follow, but Ella held my shoulder.

"Let her, she needs air," she flatly said.

"But,"

"Enjoy the party, Shirley," she turned her back to me and walked to the ladies she might be acquainted with.

Since Victoria was not here, I felt pressure building inside me. I was afraid that these people would talk to me and say things that would hurt me or ask questions which were not easily answered. Some tried not to look at me as if I was a virus. There were a few that ignored my presence. But, several stared at me. I could see that they wanted to talk to me, but something pulled them back.

I made my way to the window placed in the far corner of the living room. As expected, this place worth billions of pounds. Furniture and fixture showed their prices even though they did not have price tags. Paintings, sculptures and even small decorations were made to enhance this room.

In front of the window, there were two single couches facing each other and a small coffee table between them. I sat in one of the couches and I had a superb view through the window. The moonlight shone through the glass. The sky was full of stars.

"Here's your tea," I was too busy looking outside that I did not notice that Princess Emily was already standing near me. She put a tea cup on the table.

"Your Highness," I stood, but she gestured me to sit down. I did and she also sat across me.

"I'm grateful that I finally have a chance to speak with you, Shirley Woodman," her lovely blue eyes observed me like I was a very expensive jewellery in a shop.

I did not know why people kept on telling me that I looked like her. She was so stunning that my looks could get closer to the dirt of her nails. Now I knew why Prince Nicholas chose her over hundreds of ladies who wanted to be his wife.

Then, all of a sudden, the memories of the sceneries two months ago flooded in my mind. The way she smiled while the paparazzi taking her picture with Prince Nicholas and their son in the garden, and the way she frowned when Prince Nicholas whispered something to her. The way she looked at Prince Alexander when we met them in the hallway. The connection between them.

I was getting somewhere, but I was not sure where it was. Maybe, I was being unreasonable by the conversation I heard earlier and things hidden from me.

"I hope you forgive Leilanie," she leaned forward, "Don't worry, Women Society is not as dramatic as this. I assure you that joining us is such a fun." I just stared at her, not comprehending what she had said. She seemed noticed it, so she spoke again, "What's wrong, Shirley?"

"Why?" my throat was dry. When I saw her puzzled expression, I added, "Why are talking to me? And, how did you know my name? We don't even talk in the palace at least once!"

"Of course, you're one of the palace's personal accountants. I will know your name whether I like it or not," she tried to relax by sitting straight and drinking her tea.

"Are you sure? Or there is something else?" I looked at her, determined to have a true answer.

"What do you mean?" she asked back.

I watched the ladies in the living room chatting or listening to the music played by the pianist. "You said before that they'll all know the reason I joined here in the right time," I transferred my stares again to her, "But, how did you know the reason I'm here?"

She was surprised by my question. I caught her off guard. Then again, that lasted for only a few seconds. She cleared her throat and answered me, "Nicholas told me. I'm his wife, I know you didn't forget about that."

There was a possibility it was real, but I did not trust her. Believing her was the least thing I would do. I could see in her eyes the secrets in the past. I wanted to reach it, but there were hands pulling me back.

She stood, I thought she would just leave without saying any word again, then, "Take care of him," she looked over her shoulder and I saw the glimpse of tears forming in her eye, "Don't leave him."

Before I could respond, she walked away and joined the ladies.

PLEASE