The notice of visit came 3 days prior, so for the past 3 days all of the servants had been hustling nonstop to dust, wipe, mop, trim and polish the Del Montague manor into perfection.
As if, it wasn't already perfect to begin with.
Bonnie was greatly amused to see people in a frenzy, polishing items which were already immaculate. She couldn't stop chuckling.
I can't believe the servants are acting this crazy just because that clown is visiting. The way they're running about, you'd think we're preparing to lock down for a hurricane or something.
Downstairs, Duchess Tyren was speaking to the head chef and his assistant cooks. They were tasked to prepare a lavish meal for his royal highness.
The Duke was absent, having gone to inspect one of his other estates.
Dixie was in her room, shifting through Moniqua's dresses and trying to find something that would not be too difficult to wear. Heavy gowns with lots of laces put her off. So too did the corset she was already strapped in. Since occupying Felicia's body she had chosen to dress light and simple every single day.
But today the clown was visiting. So she had to doll herself up or she may receive a tongue lashing from the Duke for appearing inappropriately in front of the future king.
For the first time ever she was noticeably aware of the weight of fabric on her body. Donned in a dark blue dress lined with gold pattern, she patted her face with powder, put on dark lip dye and a pair of golden earrings.
The maid who came in to help her was thankfully not the bitchy one from before and handled her very gently. She insisted on braiding Felicia's hair, but Dixie refused. She simply requested for it to be brushed and rubbed with rose oil.
Feeling a bit stuffy and restrained, Dixie headed downstairs.
Tyren, Bonnie and Helena were already in position awaiting the prince's arrival. So too were a row of servants. Dixie stepped forward and waited.
The mother and daughter pair gritted their teeth at Felicia's new look. Although she was not dressed as extravagantly as them, she appeared beautiful. Her face had fattened after getting proper nourishment and her dress hugged her body rather than hung on her.
Trumpets blasted and the royal carriage entered the property.
The servants all bowed as the coachman opened the door and the Crown Prince alighted from his carriage with a domineering aura.
He was dressed in expensive linen that made Dixie's eyes hurt. Why so much gold? The man was practically shining. The mixture of gold and red, with a few subtle hints of green made the prince look like a peacock!
Sensing Tyren about to steal her thunder, Dixie stepped forward and curtsied. "Welcome, Prince Constantine to the Dukedom of Del Montague! I am Lady Felicia! It's an honor to meet you!"
The Prince examined Dixie with his black eyes, remembering all the reports he'd gotten about the controversial first lady of House Del Montague. She was a figure of insult and mockery and he was curious to know why.
Tyren and Helena snickered when they saw the Crown Prince staring at Felicia for a long time without speaking or letting her raise her head. Naturally, he was not impressed!
"You may rise," Prince Constantine finally intoned.
Dixie straightened and looked at the man properly. He was definitely handsome. But sadly, he did not evoke a response in her the way Liam had.
Prince Constantine stepped forward, taking her hand in his and placing a kiss on top of it. "I have heard a lot of interesting rumors about you, my lady. It would be a sad day for me if they proved to be true, so I'm hoping we can get properly acquainted."
Dixie smiled. "Rumors should always be taken with a grain of salt, Your Highness. I hope you possess an open mind and will allow nobody except myself to inform you about myself."
Prince Constantine continued to hold her hand. "Rumors did not tell me that you were so beautiful, my lady. Your eyes are like emeralds and your hair is akin to fire. It's quite a bewitching combination."
Felicia smiled genuinely for the first time.
The servants all gasped, seeing the Crown Prince enamored.
Tyren, sensing her daughter's distress stepped forward to break up the conversation.
"Prince Constantine, welcome to our home. I've prepared lunch for you if you are hungry." She greeted him with a wide smile. This was the second most powerful man in the kingdom; she had to turn his attentions onto Helena.
"I would like that. But first I need to have a private word with my intended bride." Prince Constantine stated, folding Dixie's arm into his.
She immediately stiffened up. "I'll take us to the parlor. We can talk there."
"Splendid!" Prince Constantine nodded his head to acknowledge Helena. "Helena, lovely to see you again!"
Helena bowed. "Likewise, Your Highness."
Dixie guided the man away. Neither of them spoke.
Prince Constantine was admiring the paintings on the wall while Dixie was trying to hide her disgust. This was the man who had a hand in sentencing Felicia to death. He had cheated on her with Helena. She did not want him around to complicate her life.
That compliment from earlier meant nothing. She didn't know why she had been a bit swayed by it.