Chapter 2 CELEBRATION

"The Royal Family requested the finest and most special Unique Voice Collective, and she was selected among others for the ball party," Travis' hoarse voice spoke over the phone.

Hazel pressed her lips together in a firm line, "Nothing can be done to reverse the case?"

"I'm sorry ma'am, there's nothing I can do about it," He said and a rhythmic beep was heard at the other end of the line.

He had ended the call.

"Argh!" Hazel screamed out in frustration, throwing the phone to the other side of the living room, which shattered helplessly.

"Mum, what did he say?" Juniper took a long step in the direction of her mother, breathing shakily.

"This Red-haired witch won again," Hazel said, dragging her feet towards Marceline, suddenly she sprang on her like a fierce cat, clutching her hair with force.

Marceline struggled to remove her hair from her mother's grasp. "I'm sorry Mum, I didn't mean to.....pls..it hurts...sob...sob."

Edward sighed, hitting his head with both hands lightly in frustration, "What's going on here?!"

Edward, after attending a conference meeting with the Royal secretary, appeared so weary and tired only to be greeted by his family drama.

"My Lord! You're back!" Hazel ran in her husband's direction smiling sweetly, collected his bag, and gave him a light peck on his left cheek.

"You haven't answered my question, Hazel!" Edward requested coldly, loosening his tie.

"Oh! I was helping Marceline take care of her hair lice. She complained and cried bitterly and I decided to check just now, lots of lice on her scalp."

Marceline rubbed her eyes, and stared at her mother, completely dumbfounded.

Juniper twitched the corner of her mouth, completely forgetting that her mother was a great liar.

Hazel held a deep fear and respect toward her husband, Lord Duke Ethan Landon, who was amongst the top ten wealthiest individuals in country A, she wouldn't dare miss out on his wealth and affluence.

His strong connection with the Royal family made her who she is today, Dutchess Hazel.

A maid strode towards the couple and bowed slightly, receiving the bag from Hazel, "Your Grace!"

Edward peered closely at Marceline, his gaze shifting from the three women in his life. "My little one, Dad is here. Come!"

Marceline feigned a smile, taking long steps in her father's direction, she walked into his arms that gracefully awaited her.

Hazel's eyes turned red, and she forcefully turned her face to the other direction, mumbling words in pain.

Juniper ran towards her father, slightly pushing Marceline from his arms, "Hello, father."

"My sweet little pea!" Edward said, returning her hugs.

"I've got good news, Dad! I got an invitation to sing at the royal banquet." She said with a big smile complimenting her perfect pair of chestnut brown eyes, her long lashes glistening from tears.

Ethan, happy about his daughter's news, unintentionally pushed Juniper, and held Juniper tightly, showering her with praises, "I'm so proud of you, my little one!"

Juniper's face darkened, and a gleam of jealousy flashed in her eyes.

He was a father who truly cared about his first child, Marceline. Ever since her mother whom he dearly loved died, he promised to always care for her on her deathbed.

However, Marceline was kept under wraps and never knew the mystery concerning her birth.

Edward realized Marceline needed motherly love and support as a growing child, so he decided to get married to Hazel who promised to take Marceline as her own with a condition never to tell her about her mother's lineage for her good, although he only disclosed to his wife half of the truth.

The abrupt ring of the doorbell interrupted the family, drawing their attention as they turned their heads in unison leaving them filled with curiosity.

The head maid hurried to the door as she received an envelope from the royal messenger, with each stride she closed the distance to Duke Edward exuding an aura of nobility as she bowed slightly to deliver the envelope.

Hazel looked at the envelope arousing her curiosity, with a raised eyebrow moved closer to her husband, "What's in it, honey?"

The envelope is elegant and elaborately ornamented with gold flowery archaic graphics, made of high-quality luxurious handmade paper and silk fine couture, and engraved with a royal seal.

Edward broke the seal and read the contents of it with a huge smile plastered on his face, turning his face to his wife, "We have a wedding to prepare for! One of our daughters will be getting married to the heir."

Hazel gave a tight-lipped smile while she snatched the envelope from her husband to confirm what was written on it.

Seeing it wasn't what she expected, she swallowed hard, controlling herself from squeezing the frail envelope in her hands.

"Servants! Prepare the finest expensive wines and delicate sumptuous meals as we await our prominent royal family." He instructed, pacing towards his Chambers.

She threw a disgusting look at Juniper who moved her body to imaginary beats, giggling. Hazel couldn't help but wonder how she ended up with a daft child like her.

_ _ _

In the Manor Gardens of the Edward family's residence, Haze paced back and forth, biting her lip, her breath quickening as she opened the envelope to read its contents:

It is with great pleasure that we extend our most remarkable invitation to you and your wonderful household to join us in celebrating the joyous union of our beloved Prince Luther, the heir to the throne of our esteemed nation and one of your priceless jewels.........

Upon reading this, Hazel tore the envelope into pieces and her eyes gleamed with fury and disappointment, "This wasn't what Queen Catherine promised, Juniper was promised to the Prince not this stupid write-up," she thought to herself loudly.

She recalled attending one of the royal parties she and her husband were invited to years back, heavily pregnant with Juniper.

After expressing their gratitude to the queen and bidding farewell, her water suddenly broke, leaving them unable to reach the hospital in time.

Fortunately, the Queen made her labor room available for the family. Queen Catherine fell in love with her baby girl and promised her to Luther who was 5 years old at that time.

But as Hazel reminisced, she couldn't help but wonder had the queen forgotten so quickly what had led them to make such a solemn agreement? She hoped Marceline wasn't setting her expectations too high.

She made a mental note to visit the Queen before the ceremony, completely forgetting about Marceline's victory.