Much to Violant’s distress, Prince Gervase turned his attention to her following his conversation with Duchess Adelaide.

“You must be Lady Violant of Avallach.” he spoke, showing her a pristine smile full of bright white teeth. “I have heard the rumors but they do you no credit, for you are even more beautiful in person. You have a quite characteristic beauty, to be sure. And your eye color is certainly unique, to say the least. Who hasn’t heard yet of the vigorous red rose of Avallach and her accomplishments? But enough pleasantries. Allow me to express my heartfelt gratitude for what you have selflessly done for my dear brother Wynkin, who sadly cannot be present tonight since he is not of legal age yet. It pains my heart horribly to simply imagine how his endearing young life could have been lost because of berserk syndrome if it wasn’t for you offering redemption in the virtually last moment. Wynkin and I might be different mothers’ offspring but our father’s blood connects us deeply nonetheless. I could never stand it to lose any of my beloved siblings. Thus again, thank you very much for helping Wynkin.”

Listening to the blond prince’s drivel, the red-haired debutante had to try her utmost to not break into loud laughter. After having come to know the real Gervase at the end of her last lifetime, Violant knew best that all familiar affection the third prince was displaying was nothing more than a big fat lie and a beautiful facade. There could be no doubt about it that Gervase regretted losing a chance to dispose of one of his brothers. He surely would have preferred all his siblings and their mothers being swallowed by the earth at one go, followed by the convenient passing of his father, King Baldwin, allowing him to inherit the throne. If Gervase loved any of his relatives, then it was only his mother, Lady Salome, and her alone. All the others were nothing more than inconvenient obstacles on the way to kingship for him, especially his father.

Keeping her thoughts to herself, Violant reacted with a polite smile and payed her respect to Gervase like to a higher ranked stranger that she didn’t know at all.

“You overvalue my actions as well as my beauty, Your Royal Highness, but thank you for the sincere praise.” she said humbly “It is my honor to finally make the acquaintance of the much lauded third prince. Nonetheless I believe that a boorish and simple-minded person who only understands how to fight with the spear and how to ride horses such as myself is nary worth of your much-sought attention.”

“Your praiseworthy humbleness is astounding, Lady Violant.” Gervase replied “But please do not underrate yourself. What you have done for the kingdom and the royal family, nobody else could have done so.”

While the redhead was still thinking about what to reply – no matter how polished her words might have been, speaking in such a snobbish way was still utterly unnatural for her – another prince inadvertently came to her rescue.

“Lady Violant, a pleasure to meet you again.” Prince Edric declared. Compared to the monk cowl-like garment he had worn in Ealdon, the second prince appeared much more prince-like dressed in finest velvet. He nevertheless still wore his glasses which gave him quite the eccentric appearance, for he was the only one in all of Crystal Hall to do so.

“Mother, this is the young lady who has preserved Wynkin’s life.” he continued turned to Lady Mafalda who was accompanying her son. The concubine from Guidena exchanged some pleasantries with Violant and the others around.

The young lady of Avallach was quite happy to witness how Gervase’s expression deranged from displeasure, although only for a split-second before it was already masked again with a benevolent smile.

“Brother, Lady Mafalda, how wonderful of you to join us.” Gervase spoke “We were just talking about Lady Violant’s accomplishments. It is quite rare to find such a heroic young lady, isn’t it?”

“Yes it is.” yet another voice agreed.

Now it was Violant’s turn to have complicated emotions because the person joining was no one else but Salome of Serpantine, Prince Gervase’s mother. Her syrupy smile made the red-haired debutante doubt her intentions.

Even worse, Lady Salome was accompanied by another debuting girl. The elegant light brown-haired young lady with an even face and beautiful big blue eyes who was clad in a gorgeous bright yellow dress was no stranger to the returnee although they hadn’t yet met this time around. Felicity of Marchester who hailed from a marquis house was the very concubine of Gervase who had risen to the queen position after Violant’s fall from grace.

“Allow me to introduce the charming young lady accompanying me.” Lady Salome continued “This is Lady Felicity from the house of Marchester. She might neither have such heroic accomplishments like Lady Violant nor such a distinguished background like Lady Sybil but she is without doubt one of the blossoming roses of society.”

It was quite obvious that Lady Salome tried to steal the limelight from the much-praised Avallach girl and the just proposed to Sulia girl. In fact it had been her as well the last time around who was introducing Lady Felicity to her son and pushing for her to become a concubine. Only that this happened just shortly after Gervase and Violant’s wedding, almost two years after the debut. Lady Salome making this move earlier than in the other timeline was proof of events changing considerably.

“Every single one of them is a rose ready to bloom, no doubt. Some have opened their petals wider while others rather still appear like buds waiting for their time.” declared Jocelyn eloquently. With such a glib tongue it was no surprise that he had become the chief minister at age 23 already. Five years ago when he was conferred this office he was the youngest man ever to reach this in the history of Yteland. Knowing his talents, Wynkin had requested his brother-in-law to help out if any of his brothers or their kin should target Lady Violant.

Lady Salome glowered at the chief minister for raining on her parade but before she was able to use her venomous tongue to return the humiliation yet another person chimed in.

“Truer words were never spoken.” a regal voice agreed.