Jean Pierre laughed. “She is still annoyed about it,” he said to his entourage as they all laughed. Liane rolled her eyes. He was so ill mannered and felt that he could do whatever he pleased without consequence. She stopped walking, but Tracey grabbed her arm.
“Let it go,” Tracey said and quickly ushered Liane out of the building.
“He is so smug about it,” Liane burst out as soon as they walked out of the building. Liane shook her head and walked to her car. She simply wanted to go home and forget this ever happened. She really hoped that she did not run into him again and that he would crawl back under whatever rock he came out from.
Chapter 3
9 months ago
Liane was enjoying lunch with her sisters on a Saturday afternoon. She felt so relaxed just hanging out with them. It was even better because the weather was just right. It was warm and there was a cool breeze. It was the first Saturday Liane had off in months.
“Macee, slow down and eat properly,” Francesca scolded. Macee frowned at her sister and carried on eating. Liane smiled.
“Leave her alone,” Liane said.
Francesca shook her head. “How have you been enjoying riding?” she asked her sister.
“Just fine.”
“What is the matter?” Macee could instantly tell that there was something bothering her.
“Jean Pierre,” Liane said with distaste. She took a sip of her drink. Macee and Francesca looked at each other.
“What about him?” Francesca asked.
“He's an arrogant man who does not deserve us speaking about him. Let us speak about something else.”
Mrs LeBlanc walked out of the house and headed to where her daughters were sitting. Macee pulled a face. “Our mother looks like she is on a mission,” she said. Francesca and Liane turned as she approached them and joined them at the table.
“I have good news for you,” Mrs LeBlanc said to Liane. “Macee eat properly!” she added as she looked at her youngest daughter eating in an unladylike manner. Macee rolled her eyes. She was really getting sick of her mother and sister commenting on her every move. If it was not her eating, it was what she wore or how she walked.
“What is it mother?” Liane asked.
“We have been invited to the palace for dinner on Tuesday.”
Francesca gasped. “To meet with the Crown Prince, I assume?” she asked with excitement.
Liane gave half a smile. She had not seen him in a very long time. Maybe if they met, she would have some feelings towards him, but at that moment, she felt nothing.
“Yes.”
“Can we come?”
“No.”
Francesca's face dropped. She could count the number of times she had been to the palace on one hand. She loved the palace and wished that she could go more often, but her mother always found reasons for her not to go.
“I will find you something suitable to wear,” Mrs LeBlanc said. Macee snorted.
“I am sure she can pick out her own clothes,” Macee said.
“What do you know?”
“Please, do not start,” Liane said. Her mother and sister were always at odds. They disagreed about everything. Mrs LeBlanc wanted her daughter to be a lot more ladylike, but Macee did not listen. She did not want to be a pawn in her mother's scheme to attain power and status.
***
Liane slipped on the dress her mother had purchased for her. It was a peach-coloured sleeveless dress, which accentuated her breasts and had wide pleats around the skirt, which touched her knees. She wore low heels, a pearl necklace and matching earrings.
When they arrived at the palace, a maid greeted them before escorting them to the dining room. They were served cold beverages whilst they waited for the royal family to arrive.
Prince Louis walked into the room with his mother. He was dressed in a white shirt and grey trousers. Just as they were about to sit down, Jean Pierre walked into the room. Liane wanted to frown but she held it together. Jean Pierre on the other hand looked surprised to see her.
“Cousin, this is Liane, my fiancée,” Prince Louis introduced Liane to Jean Pierre.
“We have met,” Liane said.
“Really?”
“Yes, at the country club but I was unaware that we are to be family soon,” Jean Pierre said. He moved closer to Liane. “Mademoiselle,” he said before he kissed her on both cheeks. Liane suppressed a frown and forced a smile instead.
“Excuse us,” Prince Louis said, as he left the room to speak with Jean Pierre privately. The two were quite close and Liane could not understand why. They were so different. The Prince always adhered to his duties; he was well mannered and never had scandals in the news. While he too was arrogant, he was not as bad as Jean Pierre was.