WHO MADE ME A PRINCE
chapter ninety - revelation.

THE DAYS PASSED IN A BLUR, the Villareals soon left for the north. Arius was quite bitter with Claude for a few days due to him being so secretive about everything.

It had been a week after the debutante, and now Athanasia had begun hosting tea parties at the Palace because Claude was against her going to the nobles' houses.

The first tea party was a flawless success and Athanasia had also been instructing Jennette as she prepared for the party. The next party was then arranged by Jennette.

Hosting a tea party looks like a plain and simple social activity, however it is the center of making connections and exchanging information.

Athanasia's party was a success mostly because the guest list was decided by Claude. Arius realized that if Jennette sent the same girls invitations to the party they would surely reject it.

Even so, Arius suggested for Jennette to invite them.

However, as expected they all wrote back giving reasons as to why they couldn't attend.

So the second party was a failure. However, Jennette didn't seem too disheartened by it.

Arius, Athanasia and Jennette had dinner together that night. Arius sent all servants outside and asked Olivia and Lilian, as well as their knights Cadell and Gunther to guard the door.

"Jennette, how has it been in the Palace lately?" Arius asked.

". . .It's a wonderful experience. Especially thanks to you both I'm really happy these days."

Arius smiled back before carefully choosing his next words.

Ijekiel had brought the confirmation regarding Jennette's birth. Her father's true identity. Arius has discussed with Athanasia and they intended on revealing it tonight.

"Jennette, I wanted to ask you something. What do you want to be when you're older? What is your aim in life?"

"Eh, that's. . ." Jennette became quiet.

"Do you aim to be the Empress? Do you want power and authority?"

"No! I don't want that brother. . . I just want . . .to be happy with my family." Jennette stated as she clutched her dress and lowered her head.

"Being a royal isn't easy." Athanasia brought her hand over Jennette's.

"Nobles will always be looking for ways to take advantage of you. You might face betrayals from the people you trust the most as well."

"We know what Duke Alpheus did to you." Arius added.

Jennette flinched upon that statement.

"Jennette, to decide your safety and a future that would be best for you, we need to know this, Do you trust us?" Arius asked.

Jennette wavered for a minute, looking at the other two jewel-eyed royals.

"I do."

Arius and Athanasia looked at each other in agreement. Arius picked up a file from beside his cutlery on the table.

"Dad seemed firm to the belief that you were not his daughter, so I did some digging. I hope you don't mind."

Jennette started a bit speechless in his direction.

"What. . . did you find it?"

"Jennette, you are not his daughter."

Jennette's expression darkened in an instant. But before the shock could make her start crying, Arius revealed the second piece of information.

"You are his niece."

Jennette sat silently, processing this information.

"You are the daughter of the late emperor Anastacius de Alger Obelia and Penelope Judith, a distant relative of the Alpheus Duchy."

"That would make us your cousins. And Ijekiel too would be your distant cousin." Athanasia summed it up.

"Pardon... but this..." Jennette looked more confused than Claude when he got a card from Arius on his birthday.

"I know it's a lot. But it's all true."

"Daddy doesn't know about it yet. But we never know how long it will take for this information to remain hidden. Several nobles, as my brother said, take advantage of royals. If someone finds out they might be willing to blackmail you with it."

Jennette's face darkened.

"Geez Athy, don't scare her. We'll be here if that happens Jennette. Don't worry."

"The nobles finding out would be a problem though. And if daddy finds out it'll be a lot of trouble. So we need a backup plan." Athanasia stated.

"Uh. . .um..." Jennette just sat there processing it all.

"I'm sorry Jennette we're going too fast right?"

Jennette remained quiet.

"Okay, that does it. This is enough for today. Let's discuss the rest tomorrow. Jennette you must be tired. I'll take you to your room." Arius stood up.

"If you need any help regarding anything at night, you know where my room is so come there anytime." Athanasia reassured her.

The two siblings escorted their cousin back to her room. "Was it too early?" Arius asked.

"No, she needs to know. It'll be dangerous if nobles find out. I heard the nobles were quite inquisitive about the third princess in their last meeting with daddy."

"Hm, there's the problem with the north too."

Arius had told Athanasia about that whole ordeal as well. This is probably where Arius and Jennette had things in common.

Their main priority was family.

They trusted and loved their family more than anything.

Arius kept no secrets from his family, he wanted to tell Claude about Jennette as well but he was waiting for the right time.

Oh well, the night passed too quickly. Athanasia had a tea party today as well, she had invited Jennette as well, however the third princess approached Athanasia in the morning.

Jennette couldn't come to the tea party, today she was going to visit the Alpheus mansion.

Athanasia ordered a few knights to be the princess's escorts and with that the third princess left for the day.

Soon after Jennette reached the Alpheus mansion, Ijekiel took her out for lunch. He was trying to protect her from the Duke who had been fuming due to the emperor's indifference to the third princess.

If Jennette had come in the Duke's view, she'd be the target of his wrath.

While they were out for lunch, Jennette wanted to make a few more stops.

"Presents for the royal Highness?" Ijekiel asked.

"Yes they've been so kind to me lately."

Jennette felt bad for her reaction last night. Athanasia and Arius found out such a big secret to her real identity, and instead of turning on Jennette they were helping her.

They were helping her despite not being siblings of hers. She wanted to get them something to express her gratitude.

From the very first day they met, those two had treated her with such kindness and patience.

"How about a brooch for his highness and. . ."

"A hair pin for her highness?" Jennette added.

"That's good."

Ijekiel took Jennette to a renowned accessory store. He himself headed towards the male section while leaving Jennette in the female area to search for the princess's gift.

As she browsed, Jennette found herself mesmerized by one of the hair pins. A blue bow with a jewel in the center. The jewel matched with that of the royals and so she thought it would look wonderful on Athanasia.

As soon as she picked it up, she noticed a ravenette standing beside her, which almost startled her.

"Pardon me, it seems I've scared the miss."

"Oh no, it's my fault for not noticing."

"That is a very extraordinary piece you have there. It would certainly look good on you."

"Oh, it isn't for me. It's for a. . . relative."

"May I take a closer look?"

"Ah yes."

The ravenette held the box with the bow in it. Touching the jewel on the centre and commenting, "It's very well carved. An excellent choice for a gift."

"Jennette!" Ijekiel called out from a far. The ravenette quickly returned the box to her. And said his farewells.

Although Ijekiel still saw him before the man could completely leave the store.

"Jennette, you need to be careful with strangers! Who was he?"

"I don't know. He was just observing the hairpin I chose."

"You've chosen one? Oh that one matches with my design."

"It does?"

"Yes, should we buy them then?"

"Sure." And with that the gift was bought.