Side Story:
The Marquess’s Daughter is Comforted by the Earl’s Daughter
WHEN LOUISE WAS SUMMONED to her mother’s room in the morning, her mother informed her that Claudia had been chosen as A Priori.
“The church has already approached her about it,” her mother finished.
The information wasn’t public yet, but the highest echelons of aristocratic society had all heard the news. A new saint was being chosen. The Saint’s Festival was a rare celebration because a saint was appointed once a century, and Claudia was being blessed with the opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder with the saint herself.
There was nothing terribly surprising about that. If anything, Louise thought it only made sense. Not necessarily because Claudia was a duke’s daughter and the crown prince’s betrothed, but because Louise had witnessed her capabilities firsthand. They had once been rivals when they were fellow bridal candidates, but they were friends now. Louise prided herself on knowing Claudia better than most.
Of course she was chosen.
Whereas Louise was preoccupied with what was right in front of her, Claudia saw the bigger picture. Louise had learned this during an incident at the academy. Sylvester had appeared to act as their savior, and Claudia had fussed over his safety. Louise was shaken by the way Claudia admonished him.
Honestly, I was captivated by her. She’d been stuck in a daze after the danger was over. It embarrassed her to remember it. Louise had been taught that no matter the circumstances, she needed to maintain the dignity expected of a servant of the crown, provide a proper example to the commoners, and conduct herself with grace and pride. Beneath her bravado, she had been nothing short of ignorant.
Ever since, she’d worked diligently to keep a wider perspective on things, the way Claudia did—but every time she was compared to her best friend, she was painfully aware of how far she fell short.
“You have the qualifications as well, but the timing wasn’t in your favor,” said her mother. If only the Saint’s Festival had taken place years earlier, she thought. At least if Claudia hadn’t already secured her marriage to Sylvester, Louise might have been a candidate for A Priori too.
I’m not so sure. Louise’s mother had more interaction with Claudia now that Claudia was undertaking princess training, and the marchioness was greatly impressed by what she’d seen. She herself had said that Claudia hardly seemed like a fresh graduate from the academy.
Louise knew that her mother had expected much from her, as had her father. She also knew that she had been an exemplary student. Anyone who saw the way Claudia had been in her younger years, ill-tempered and quick to anger, would’ve thought Louise the topmost role model for her generation. But Claudia had shifted public perception entirely when she reformed her behavior. The marchioness surely approved of her now. She, too, probably deemed Claudia more capable than her own daughter.
Regardless, Louise was quite sure she would never have had a chance—unless somehow time magically rewound and Claudia went back to her old unpleasant self.
“Louise, you aren’t any less capable,” the marchioness reassured her.
“Of course, Mother.”
The words rang hollow in her heart. Louise knew better than anyone that she wasn’t enough.
She excused herself and slipped into the hallway, almost forgetting herself and letting her gaze fall to the floor. The servants were watching her, though, so she tilted her chin up as she strode back to her own room. A master—or mistress, in her case—shouldn’t show weakness or vulnerability in front of the help. But inwardly, she had shrunk in on herself.
How pitiful.
While Claudia was gradually accomplishing more and more incredible things, Louise had done absolutely nothing. She couldn’t even be considered Claudia’s rival anymore, and that vexed her. Broke her heart.
Not that I want to compete with her anymore. No, what Louise really wanted was to serve at Claudia’s side as an equal, the way Claudia was serving as the saint’s attendant.
A Priori were considered attendants to the saint, but in reality, the difference was their affiliation. Where the saint worked for the church, the A Priori served their countries. Both were symbols of hope for people.
While Louise sulked in her room, melancholy taking hold of her, a messenger arrived from Lord Roger’s estate. When a maid came to relay their message, the first thing that popped into Louise’s mind was a head of pink hair. Charlotte had expressed her desire to visit in the afternoon. Louise had no other plans for that time, so she agreed readily.