Lady Beatrice tried to pull Margaret away from the prince, but she ended up talking to the floor. All the guests were either looking for a shade or an exit.
Soon, the place was deserted, save Minister Collins' family, the prince, and those that accompanied him.
The prince's men tried to pull Margaret away, but they could not. When they were all thoroughly drenched, Margaret's grip loosened.
Under the shade, Patricia rubbed the locket in her hand. She was satisfied with Margaret's humiliation. She had called the rain for this purpose, and now she was satisfied.
The prince and his men walked off hurriedly. They were furious. Minister Collins ran to plead with the prince. Lady Beatrice began to weep from shame.
***
It was not yet dawn when Patricia slipped from her room under the guise of getting water. Philip was there, waiting for her. "Hey," there was a curious look in his eyes. "Did you do that?"
"Do what?" Patricia asked in return.
"The rain was caused by you, was it not?" He asked.
"Ask me no questions, and I will tell you no lies." She paused for a moment and breathed, "Yes. I did it. I really needed to teach that Margaret a lesson. She deserves all the punishment she can get."
He chuckled lightly. "That was not part of the plan. But it's cool. How do you feel after your little revenge?"
"I feel good," she responded. "You are so petty," he mocked.
"Did you get it? The gem, did you get it?" She asked, her eyes full of curiosity.
"What do you think?" He turned to walk away.
She ran to block him. He turned again, and she did likewise. He smiled mischievously. He began turning from side to side, spinning expertly.
But she kept going in circles; she was having fun. She was not taking the exercise seriously. She was not using her martial arts skills. Soon, she got dizzy and almost fell. He caught her.
Gazing into her eyes, he said, "You should be careful. Imagine if I did not catch you?"
Patricia smiled, "I knew you would. You always catch me. You are always there for me. Always following me."
He removed a strand of hair from her face and asked, "You know all this. Why don't you accept my love?"
For a moment, they were frozen. No one said anything; no one moved. It was almost as if they were lost in each other's eyes.
Patricia was thinking about what he said. She knew she had feelings for him. She knew she wanted to always be with him. But, was this the right time? She untangled herself from his embrace and turned. Without a word, she walked away.
***
The next day, all Lady Beatrice could do was cry. "I do not know what has gotten into Margaret! She ruined everything!"
Margaret also had things to say. She would not let her aunt enjoy pouring mud on her. "I guess your event was cursed. Rain poured heavily in the dry season. You should be asking the gods questions."
Beatrice rose to her feet and pointed her hand at Margaret. "You are to blame. You were the one who advised an outdoor party. You are at fault."
Beatrice used her handkerchief to dry her tears. "Oh! What shame I experienced yesterday! Everyone in the kingdom will laugh at me when they hear what happened."
At that moment, Perry walked in, carrying a scroll in her hand. She looked at her mother and Margaret. "Will you both stop crying? We cannot turn back the hands of time."
Margaret eyed Perry and spat, "Well, you had a good time. You danced with the prince under the moon, so you don't know my pain! My desperation."
Perry rolled her eyes. She was sure Margaret would get better soon. "Mother, cheer up. I just received a message from the palace."
Beatrice's crying increased. "We are ruined. The palace heard of our party and has decided to punish us!"
"No, Mother," Perry called. "What I hold in my hand is good news. I have been selected to be the consort of the crown prince, his first wife!"
Beatrice's mouth widened, "Huh?" She rushed over to Perry's side and took the scroll away from her. Beatrice began to jump for joy. "Yes! I knew it! I knew that the prince had interest in my daughter! Now, no one will laugh at me. No one would make any comment about the banquet. I will soon be directly connected to the royal family!"
Margaret began to weep more profusely. "What a life!" She yelled.
***
Patricia was alone in the kitchen, cutting some vegetables. Philip stepped inside and joined her. He also got a chopping board and a knife. "You're good?" He asked.
She nodded and answered, "Yes. I am well."
He was not buying it. "Something is on your mind. You can tell me."
She changed the topic. "Did you get the item last night?"
"Yes," he responded. "I told you it would be easy."
Patricia smiled lightly.
Philip sighed, "Now tell me. Why the long face?"
"I will tell you," Patricia said. "Our mistress, Perry, has been granted the seat of the crown prince's consort. I hear concubines will also be picked. I want to join the selection. I want to be a concubine."
The knife fell from Philip's hand. "You must be joking? You do not mean what you say. Do you know how dangerous the palace is?"
"I have thought about it long and hard, Philip. I know what I want. And that is to be a concubine. I will get near the king and end him," she said.
"What about master's plan? Master sent us here, remember? We should follow his plan," Philip argued.
Patricia placed her knife on the table. "Master's plan is too slow. I will be doing the movement a favor by sacrificing myself in the palace. By the time I am done, believe me, Philip, they will be thanking my spirit. Because I know, I will not come out alive. I have never been afraid of death. Besides, this is a good cause. Which makes things better."
"You are going crazy," he blurted.
"You can't stop me. I have made up my mind," she declared.
***
Philip tried to convince Patricia against the idea and failed. He rushed through the garden and found the secret exit.
The letter he had in his hand was getting rumpled. When he reached a secret guard hideout in the city, he gave the letter to one of them.
The letter was for the King of Lafenia. These were the contents: "Your dear son has heard of the king's intentions and is glad. The king is wise. He has chosen the best woman for his son. I hope to return to the palace shortly with the king's consent. As for the assignment, I have found the location of the rebels, and I will deal with them as your majesty pleases. Your dear son, Crown Prince Edward."
He placed his seal beneath the letter. He was doing all this to keep Patricia safe. She was stubborn, and he would have to protect her in the palace.
But, he kept wondering. How would Patricia react when his identity is revealed?