Broken Ties

This chapter's song is: Let her go by Passenger!

Sylvia's POV:

Cafe Le Ritz was truly the best place for macarons. I look in front to see Mikaeyla and Lianey digging into their desserts. Mikaeyla had changed into a plain white dress that Monique had in her carriage as a spare. Rin also helped wash Mikaeyla up, and I tied her hair back with a spare ribbon I had.

From my analysis, Mikaeyla didn't seem suspicious. She stood up for Lianey, seemed troubled to borrow things off of us and even refused to let us pay for her food.

She just seems like a genuinely good person, which makes me feel even more sympathetic for her as she has such a bad life. However, I didn't say anything that assumed that.

"I'm back! I just had to fix my bow," Rin says as she returns to her seat next to me.

"Your chocolate cake was waiting," Monique says as she pushes the plate to Rin, who immediately started eating.

There was an awkward silence between us. I mean, I felt guilty for wanting Lianey and Mikaeyla to sort out that situation by themselves. I didn't want to make it look like they rely on me, but I regret not helping them in the first place. I didn't know that Eppel would get physical with them, seeing as they're also nobles.

"I just wanted to say... I'm sorry for not helping out earlier," I say, finally.

"No, it's okay; I'm just glad you stopped them before they hurt one of us," Lianey says.

"No, it's truly my fault. I just didn't want you two to seem weak in front of Eppel," I explain.

"You're right though; I could've dealt with it on my own. However, I never imagined Eppel to call her guards on us," Lianey says.

"That came as a surprise to all of us. Not only was it stupid to call the guards without verifying your identity first, but the guards also were very rough with you," Violet says, eyeing the red marks on Mikaeyla's arm.

"It was very unpredictable. I thought Eppel had more manners than that," Rin says as she sips some of her milkshake.

"Not only was it unpredictable, but it's also out of her character," Monique says.

"What do you mean, Eppel was acting like the same bratty girl as always," Violet says.

"Yes, Eppel Cromble is a bratty, entitled, narcissistic girl, but she isn't entirely stupid. Like all of us, she took etiquette and manner lessons. Scenarios like these are taught especially to prevent us from looking like uneducated fools.

Eppel herself knows that she only invites important people to her tea party, and the way that her minion Jane could easily recognise miss Garrison meant that Eppel had to have an inkling of an idea of what she was about to do, so why did she still do it?" Monique explains.

"Who knows with people like her, maybe she was just blinded by jealousy," Lianey shrugs.

"I don't know, I just feel like there's a bigger picture to all this," Monique sighs.

"Isn't Eppel's family part of the aristocratic faction?" Violet speaks out.

"Yes, she is... miss Swivel, I ask that you put in that letter of complaint and inform us of the outcome," I say.

"Whatever you say, and please, call me Lianey," she says.

"Very well, Lianey."

"U-um, excuse me... I hate to be a bother, but it's getting late, and I need to head home..." Mikaeyla says, looking outside the window at the sunset.

"Yes, it is getting late. Since Eppel's tea party was anything but pleasant, how about I host a tea party in the future?" I suggest.

"Yes, that would be amazing," Rin beams.

"Do be sure to invite us all," Violet says.

"But of course, it wouldn't be a party without you all. I hope you won't stand me up, miss Garrison," I say as I look at her.

"Me? Oh no! I could never attend your tea party! I'm just a mere baron's daughter!" Mikaeyla stutters.

"What do you mean Mikaeyla?! You're every bit as noble as us!" Lianey protests.

"No... I'm sorry, I must go," Mikaeyla says as she runs out.

"Mikaeyla!" Lianey calls after her, running behind her.

"Well... Does this mean she just rejected my invitation?" I asked.

"Give her some more time. I think she's just scared of overstepping her boundaries," Monique says.

"I agree, miss Garrison has been stepped on by any noble who has a few coins in their wallet. To add to the fact that she has a decent face, I'm sure that she would receive a lot of unwanted attention. I guess she just doesn't want to make a target of herself..." Violet says.

"I hope she does come around. I would really like to be friends with her; she seems nice," Rin sighs as she sips her tea.

"Leave it for now, we should be getting home," I say as I get up.

(Meanwhile)

Narrator's POV:

"Mikaeyla, wait!" Lianey shouts, grabbing Mikaeyla by the wrist and stopping her. Mikaeyla ran out of the cafe and down the corner of the street.

"Mikaeyla, why did you run away like that? Sylvia was trying to befriend you, I could see it!" Lianey asks.

Mikaeyla turned around, her eyes looking down. "Lianey, I've told you time and time again, you shouldn't talk to me!"

"Why can't I talk to you?! We're both girls, the same age, and nobles-"

"That's exactly it! Lianey, I'm not good enough for you, I'm not worthy enough to be your friend!"

"Of course you are!"

"No! I'm not! Sylviana de Crystal Scilla, the only daughter of Duke Scilla and the future queen of Hefelia. Rillaine Listeria Shuya Kagamine, the daughter of the only Grand Duke in this country, Monique Layla Deveraux, daughter of the Minister of Finance, Violetta Ayala Abberson, daughter of Prime Minister Abberson, and you, Lianey Garil Swivel, only daughter of the minister of foreign affairs.

Do you see, they are worth your friendship. They have good backgrounds, respectable families and high status. They're the perfect group of girls who you fit in with. There is no room for Mikaeyla Garrison, daughter of a poor, gamble-addicted Baron in that picture. I don't even have a middle name!" Mikaeyla screams, looking up at Lianey, tears streaking down her face.

"Mikaeyla... I..." Lianey was at a loss for words, she always knew that Mikaeyla had a problem with being her friend, but she didn't know it was to this extent.

"Lianey, I love being your friend. I value it the most in the world, and it is so precious to me. I know how you defend me from anyone who has ill intentions towards me, you put on your best front to protect me, but I know that I'm just dragging you down.

Invitations for you have lessened, up to the point where you even attended miss Cromble's tea party because it was the only one who allowed me to come."

Lianey started tearing up too.

"But I can't allow you to ruin your bright future and happiness for mine," Mikaeyla finally says.

"But what about your happiness? Does that not count here too?" Lianey argues.

"Only those with enough money can achieve happiness. My father gambled away everything: our house, money, my dowry. My mother died because we couldn't afford her expensive medicine. Even after all that, he still gambles. You say I'm fit enough to be your friend because we're both nobles? I'm pretty sure I won't be for long," She says quietly.

"I DON'T CARE!" Lianey shouts as she hugs Mikaeyla.

"Kaeyla, I don't care whether you're a noble or commoner, we've been friends since we were born, if you have no home then you can share mine, if you need a shoulder to cry on, you can use mine, just don't stop being my friend," Lianey weeps.

Mikaeyla wiped her tears, biting her bottom lip to make sure that she can deliver this next sentence without breaking down. She pushes Lianey onto the ground.

"Ha! You'd do all that for me! Well, I wouldn't do that for you!" Mikaeyla screams.

"Kaeyla..."

"I've been using you damnit! You're nothing more than just a shiny new purse for me! But you're useless now! Get out of my face!" Mikaeyla screams as she runs away.

"Kaeyla!" Lianey screams after her, still on the floor. Mikaeyla accidentally pushed her too hard, and she twisted her ankle.

It was beginning to rain now, but Lianey was still on the floor, her face in her hands as she cries. Soon, the rain was getting harder, and it looked like Lianey would stay there throughout it. Lianey wipes her tears and attempts to get up. However, her ankle pained too much. This moment of helplessness only made Lianey start to cry again. Suddenly, the rain began to stop.

No, it didn't stop. Lianey looked up to see Sylvia with a warm smile and an umbrella being held by someone else behind her.

"Can you move?" Sylvia asks. Lianey looked down at the ground, before shaking her head. When Sylvia attempted to touch her, Lianey batted her hand away.

"Don't touch me, I'm dirty. I might ruin your dress," Lianey says quietly.

"Are you afraid of a little dirt Sylvia?" the boy asks.

"Shut up Ace," Sylvia says as she picks Lianey up, "Why the hell would I care about a dress when one of my friends is on the floor?"

"I don't know, it's a really nice dress," Ace says smugly.

"Then I'll ask my aunt to make you one so we can match," Sylvia shoots back as she helps Lianey limp into the carriage.

"No, I don't think pink suits me, although it looks very flattering on you," Ace replies as he folds the umbrella and sits in the carriage.

"Your highness? What are you doing here?" Lianey asks as she finally realises who the man in the good was.

"It's a long story," Sylvia answers for him.

Lianey stayed quiet, suddenly feeling very cold from the rain and shivering.

"Ace, give me your cloak," Sylvia says. Ace unties the cloak from his neck and hands it to Sylvia, who then drapes it around Lianey.

"Don't catch a cold. It'll make you look stupid from catching a cold in summer," Sylvia says.

"Aren't you cold my dearest fiancee?" Ace says as he moves closer to Sylvia's face.

"You wish!" Sylvia shouts as she pushes Ace's face away.

"How cold of you, and here I was, trying to warm you up," Ace says as he conjures a ball of fire in his hand.

"You do know that I have fire magic too?" Sylvia raises a brow.

"Ah, but your fire magic can't do this," Ace says as he spreads out his fire until it turns into a thin sheet before draping it over Sylvia.

Sylvia sighed at the warm feeling. Lianey couldn't help but smile at the couple, remembering when she and Mikaeyla also had play fights like this. They soon arrived at Lianey's house, with Sylvia still helping Lianey walk to the gate. Ace was waiting in the carriage, per Sylvia's orders.

When the girls arrived at the entrance, a bunch of people were waiting. Lianey's brother was the first to spot her and ran towards her, the entourage following tow with umbrellas and blankets.

"Lianey!" A woman shrieks as she runs towards the girls. The woman had dark brown hair and blue eyes. She was accompanied by a bunch of maids with umbrellas.

"Lianey!" Her brother shouted as he knelt down to feel her skin. "Get some towels!" He yells to the maids.

"Is she okay?" Lianey's mother asked as she knelt down onto the wet ground, her skirt being soiled by the rain.

"She's just tired, and her ankle seems hurt," Sylvia says as she hands Lianey over to her brother. Landres immediately recognised Sylvia but focused on his sister first.

"What happened?" Landres asked Sylvia.

"I'd be more than happy to tell you everything that has happened, although I do not believe that now is the time, nor do I believe that I should be the one to say anything," Sylvia says.

"Thank you Sylviana, if you'd like, I can prepare a room for you to stay in for the night," Lianey's mother said.

"No thank you, my carriage is waiting. Although would I be allowed to visit Lianey tomorrow in the morning?"

"Of course, please get home safe," Lianey's mother said as she and her group walked back inside with Lianey. Sylvia walked back to the carriage, where she sat down with Ace.

"That was hard to watch, wasn't it?" Sylvia said, thinking back to the scene they saw.

"It was honourable of that Mikaeyla girl," Ace commented.

"Calling your best friend a purse and pushing her to the ground is honourable?" Sylvia raised a brow.

"That was obviously a ploy to make miss Swivel hate her so that their break up can go easier," Ace said.

"... It must've been heartbreaking for Lianey," Sylvia sighs.

"And even more heartbreaking for Mikaeyla Garrison," Ace adds. The rest of the carriage was spent in silence. Sylvia got cold so she lay by Ace and eventually fell asleep. Ace, of course, didn't reject it and spent the rest of his time with a smirk on his face.

Damn, some feelings were said in this chapter. Alright, I'm done. I'm out. Peace.