Chapter 360
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"Oh. Jasmine, darling, your older brother comes with Lady Marianne."
"!? Already? Oh my... mother, I had told the lady tea would be waiting for her..."
"... Do not be silly. Lady Marianne will not mind such tiny details, dear." — Seating at an apart side of the refreshing tent raised for the women to gather, the Empress told her daughter, smiling gracefully as she stood beside her to gently tidy up her golden white long and straight hair... that the youthful Princess had purposely matched with the Lady’s hairdo. — "Do not frown, stand prominent and control your Frotschter temper... you prepared these tea sessions thinking of the friend in your dreams. Did you not?"
"Yes, Mother... I am to reign my temper before brother."
"I am to believe you." — Smiling at the innocence her strict daughter was demonstrating after finding the friend she wished for, the Empress admired her youth, turning around timely to welcome her eldest son. — "... Crown Prince, lovely Lady Marianne. I see my offspring has gently escorted you to our presence."
’Yeah... he gently did, Empress.’ — The favoured child modestly answered, bowing respectfully while trying to conceal her delight.
"Empress, it is the lady who gently allowed me. Isn’t that right, Jasmine?"
"... Indeed. Lady Marianne is the gentle one."
"... Hum... these children of mine..." — Noticing the rivalry the Empress sighed as she could see her daughter was to fail immediately at Zeleskiaz’s provocations, and so, giving a step forward the elegant Empress glanced sharply at her son and daughter, inviting the lady to join her while an embarrassed Jasmine inhaled to control her temper.
"Lady Marianne, do come this way. The tea is to be served shortly, yet that will not stop us from having a delightful conversation... Crown Prince, the Second Prince will also compete in this hunt. Do remember you are the oldest while competing... We shall care for the lady so go win a wonderful prize."
A secretive wink was sent by the graceful Empress to her son, causing complex embarrassment in the Crown Prince after showing indifference to her discreet warning.