Chapter 294: The Dance Club
That Tuesday, Lara entered the palace because she received a summons from Princess Ceres. The gathering of the Dance Club, which she named White Swan, would be held at the Rose Pavilion in the palace. No matter how reluctant Lara was, she had no choice but to go with Mira and Amelia.
Princess Ceres has taken over the leadership of the dance club that Mira had spent so much effort establishing. She only became the deputy leader. This arrangement was finalized before Princess Ceres left the Norse Estate that Saturday.
"Don’t you think Princess Ceres is abusing her authority as a Princess? Why would she usurp your position as the leader of the dance club you created?" Amelia grumbled beside Mira.
Mira didn’t respond, but the subtle tremble in her clenched fists was enough. What could she say? Defy Ceres—Queen Helga’s golden daughter? That would be social suicide.
Lara glanced sideways at her friends as they walked the cobbled path to the Pavilion. Mira’s lips were pressed into a thin line, and her fingers clutched the hem of her skirt in silent frustration. Amelia, never one to hold back, voiced what they were all thinking.
When the three arrived at the Rose Pavilion—a sun-drenched structure draped in climbing roses of different colors—they found nearly a dozen noble ladies already assembled, seated on embroidered cushions or chatting beneath the carved arches.
"You’re early," Mira announced as they approached.
"You’re late," Janna retorted with a smug smile.
Several girls giggled behind gloved hands, though the tension in the air betrayed their forced levity. In truth, Lara, Mira, and Amelia had arrived at 2:30 p.m.—a full thirty minutes ahead of the 3:00 p.m. start. Yet even then, they were deemed late. Janna’s influence already warped the standards.