Earning the Love of a Princess-Chapter 320: Violet: Nothing More, Nothing Less

4 December, 1354. Westerhaven Palace, Islia

Violet had been making every effort to ignore Sancia, refusing to so much as glance at her when they saw each other in the banquet hall every night. Mercifully, that was usually the only time the sisters crossed paths. Sancia at least knew better than to visit Violet’s apartments again during the day.

She was only allowed to attend baby Eve’s baptism because it would’ve raised too many awkward questions if she’d suddenly been replaced as godmother at the very last minute.

Violet barely remembered the baptism itself. It had been a small ceremony in the royal chapel - with only the godparents, king and queen as guests. She had stood at the baptism font, trembling with rage at the smug expression on Sancia’s face. The silly young girl had held the baby in her arms as the bishop had poured holy water on Eve’s head, prompting her wails.

After the ceremony, Sancia had handed Violet’s daughter back to her with a sly grin. "Isn’t the presence of new life such a wonderful gift to celebrate? You must be so content these days, Your Grace."

Violet had nearly slapped her face then and there. Instead, she’d swallowed her disgust and forced herself to smile back, even when Sancia then placed her free hands over her flat belly and smiled wider.

Bowing to the king and queen to thank them for their attendance, Violet had then marched out of the chapel as quickly as possible, Leo at her heels. Her husband hadn’t understood why she needed to leave in such a hurry.

She’d looked up at his confused expression and wondered briefly if she should confide in him what Sancia had done.

Then she’d decided against it. She knew Sancia was going to reveal everything very soon. When that happened, Leo would only be one of several enraged royals she was going to have to face. There was no point hastening his fury.

Today though, Violet said to herself now, today I think the reckoning is coming.

Her parents were arriving at court that morning and were due in her presence chamber at any moment. She’d known as soon as they received Sancia’s letter telling them she was expecting a prince’s bastard child, they’d be rushing to their youngest daughter’s side.

There was an opportunity to be seized and the Thierres weren’t going to let it pass them by.

When asking for permission to visit the court, her father had written not to Violet but to Leo. He’d duly extended the invitation to her parents, having seen no reason not to. Violet had nearly vomited when he’d read her the letter her mother had sent him.

Lady Thierre had written a flowery note with words about wanting to be present to share in the joy of her newest grandchild, as well as spend time with her daughters. In particular, she wished to see that her beloved elder daughter - the apple of her eye - was well recovered from childbed.

The apple of her eye? The daughter she’d barely glanced at growing up and now only bothered to contact when she needed money?

The hypocrisy made Violet want to claw her mother’s lying eyes out.

But that wasn’t behaviour becoming of a princess.

So instead, Violet sat that morning in her presence chamber, determined to use the power of her position like armour.

Her maids had laced her into her most spectacular gown and fastened a fortune in diamonds around her throat.

Her ladies-in waiting away had offered to keep her company but she’d shooed them all away.

She needed to face her greedy, grasping family head on. And alone.

And if they thought she’d help Sancia in any way, they were going to be bitterly disappointed.

- - -

The guards at the door announced the arrival of Lord and Lady Thierre, Duke and Duchess of Orravalo. Violet remained seated on her armchair draped with a golden cloth, as straight backed and cold as an ice empress. She’d be damned if she made an effort to rise to her feet.

Her parents stepped into her presence chamber, followed by Sancia. Of course Sancia was with them. The three of them approached Violet in her armchair and bowed.

She couldn’t deny the little surge of pleasure of watching her family being forced to show her deference. Lady Thierre’s face was particularly sour as she rose from her bow.

"Daughter." The duchess spoke without further preamble. "We have a most important matter to discuss regarding our beloved Sancia."

Violet flashed her mother a sweet smile. "I’m doing well, Mother. Thank you for asking. My baby is also doing well and my other children are in good health. I appreciate you showing us your usual care and concern."

Lady Thierre’s eyes flashed at the impertinence but Violet refused to back down from the challenge. That woman no longer held any sway over her.

"Daughter." Lord Thierre tried to start the conversation again, but in a more respectful tone. "We’re all glad to see that you and your fine brood of children are healthy. We hope for good things for all of our children, and we dearly wish to see Sancia as well settled as you."

Violet looked at her debt ridden father and saw his eyes gleaming with the ever present hunger for gold. She nodded for him to continue, curious to hear how her parents would defend Sancia’s actions.

"Sancia is with child. It’s still early days but she’s very confident." he said.

Violet raised her eyebrows and replied, "I see. Do we know who the fortunate father might be?"

Sancia scowled at her. "It’s Prince William Devon. I already told you that, sister!"

"You did." Violet said coolly. "But you told me you also lay with Prince Thomas. So pardon me if I find myself a little confused about who the father might be."

Both Lord and Lady Thierre turned and looked at Sancia in shock. "What is all this? Did you lay with more than one man?" Lord Thierre spluttered.

Sancia blushed bright red and aimed a hateful stare at Violet. Then turning back to her parents, she quickly replied, "The chances of it being Prince William’s child are far greater. But regardless, it’s definitely the child of a Devon prince, Father."

"Are you sure about that, Sancia?" Violet asked silkily.

"Yes!"

"So if I were to ask among the group of lads that surround the young princes, all of them would deny bedding you? They’d corroborate your word that you only ever lay with the two Devon boys?"

"Yes, sister." Sancia said through clenched teeth. "They’d all corroborate my word."

Violet could see the lie etched on Sancia’s face.

Lady Thierre waved her hand dismissively. "The important thing is that Sancia is carrying a child with Devon blood in its veins. It doesn’t matter which prince. What matters is that His Majesty assumes responsibility and makes the proper provisions for the child and for Sancia."

"It doesn’t matter to you which prince?" Violet calmly picked away a non existent speck of dust from her lap. "You’re at peace with your daughter admitting she doesn’t know who fathered her child? Congratulations, Mother. You must be so proud right now."

Lady Thierre pursed her lips together. Sancia, meanwhile, unleashed a childish outburst.

"Who are you to judge me? Did you not bed Prince Leo before marriage?" she shouted.

"I did. And given the uproar caused, I’m surprised you want to wish to follow in my footsteps." Violet kept her tone calm, which she knew would drive Sancia into an even greater frenzy. "Then again, sister, I’ve only ever been with one man my entire life and that’s my husband. I think we can all agree your situation is a little different, isn’t it?"

Sancia opened her mouth as if to scream, when her mother silenced her with a gesture. Lady Thierre spoke instead.

"If Sancia says that Prince William is the father, then he’s the father! As her family, we support her! It does our cause no good to squabble amongst ourselves when we need to band together and work towards a common goal." The duchess’s eyes were like ice chips.

"This common goal you speak of...you couldn’t possibly mean leeching onto another prince and trying to use his wealth to fix your own financial mess? Surely you must mean something else, Mother."

"Violet!" Lady Thierre roared. "Mind your language! I won’t tolerate such disrespect from a child I raised!"

Violet shrugged. "You barely raised me at all. So now you’re receiving the respect you’ve earned from me. Nothing more, nothing less. And keep your voice down before the Crown Princess of Islia or I’ll have my guards remove you from my rooms."

Seeing his wife quivering with rage, Lord Thierre quickly stepped forward to try and calm the uproar building. "Daughter, I know we all want to see Sancia and her baby cared for. Therefore, we seek your aid. Explain the situation to your lord husband so that he in turn will intervene with His Majesty on our family’s behalf.

"No."

"No?" Lord Thierre’s eyes bulged at Violet’s crisp response.

"No, I will not drag my husband into this mess. Neither he or I will intervene with the king on Sancia’s behalf. I can’t stop you from seeking an audience with the king himself, of course. But I won’t be part of your scheme." Violet raised her chin in defiance.

"But if you only-"

"No, Father. I’ll do no such thing. Figure things out for yourself and leave me out of it."