The King's Unbreakable Wife-Chapter 194: New friend (2)

"I apologise first off for their rudeness with you Eleanor. They have no reason to be scared in your presence and speak of anyone tied to you. It’s been a while since I sat at a gathering so I forgot how some may get," Hazel said.

She was now more used to a different kind of arguing with women so now this one was nothing more than a headache. Hazel finally understood what her mother must have felt when she and Helena were disagreeing about something.

"You do not need to apologise on their behalf. I’ve had a rocky relationship with many of the young ladies here for years," Eleanor said, hoping the queen would no longer apologise. It would have been odd if no one questioned why the queen invited her here.

"Still, in a setting like this one should know when to hold their tongue. Especially when their hands are not clean. What your parents do to make money has nothing to do with you. You didn’t give them the idea and I am told that you live with your aunt," Hazel said, interested in Eleanor’s life.

"I do. Others have guessed wrong where I live. My aunt has no involvement in the brothel and has raised me since I was young. My parents are still heavily involved in my life and I love them," Eleanor added before the queen tried to speak poorly of her parents.

It was simply agreed that it was better Eleanor stayed with her aunt instead of her parents who were too busy with their work.

"I understand. I don’t plan to judge you so you can relax. Your shoulders are a bit stiff and it is funny. I am quite normal though I am queen," said Hazel.

"Right," Eleanor replied, trying to relax. "It is my first time here and though with your kindness now, I fail to understand why I am here. I have never been invited to such a gathering."

’The palace has a new queen so it is time for something new. Other ladies should get the chance to come here to speak with me. Don’t you think so?" Hazel asked.

Eleanor nodded her head as she knew plenty of young ladies who should be welcomed here instead of the evil ones who liked to pick on those with not a lot of money. It was quite normal for the palace to stick with picking nobles to enter it.

"I’m a little surprised by how shy you have turned. I recall overhearing you insult a boy who tried to mock you. It was in the market and I was taken aback that there was a young lady so bold. I like that you don’t allow anyone to get under your skin. It is hard to do these days when so many want to see you shed tears," Hazel said, finding herself a bit similar to Eleanor. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

"I didn’t know we had crossed paths before. If you saw me arguing with a boy, it meant my language might not have been the best," Eleanor said, embarrassed.

"I liked it," Linda said, knowing of it from Hazel. She had listened to Hazel’s reason for inviting everyone here today and that was how she learned about Eleanor. "Sometimes men are a bit rude with what you say and need a good scolding."

"Linda is lucky to have her brothers be so quick to defend her so she doesn’t need to argue with men. They would view her differently if she ever got the chance to argue with someone. She has a secret foul mouth," Hazel teased, earning a pinch on her arm from Linda. "You dare attack the queen?"

"I dare attack my friend for telling a bad side of me," Linda replied.

Eleanor smiled, but then bit her lip to hide it. It was fun to see the queen have such a good relationship with the women around her. Eleanor was jealous as the only women she had as friends were the ones in the brothel but even then she sometimes felt it wrong to be so friendly with them since they were working off their debts with her father.

Eleanor had been a bit curious about the new queen. Before it was announced who the prince had picked in the selection, she knew of the prince’s interest in Hazel because men working in the palace would vent as they drank in the brothel and the women would share it with Eleanor.

This was why no one should be so quick to speak on her because Eleanor knew many secrets.

"Do you intend to get married soon?" Linda questioned, hoping she wouldn’t be the only one not wedding during this season.

Eleanor’s mood changed upon hearing the question. Her aunt was trying to get her married as it was time but Eleanor had no plans to wed so she was rejecting any advances toward her.

Men showing interest in her were either doing it as a joke, wanted some part in her parent’s business, or thought she would be no different than the women in the brothels. Besides, who would welcome her into their family? Eleanor would rather save herself from the shame and focus on her writing.

"What do you think of the palace?" Hazel questioned, changing the topic as it seemed to bother Eleanor.

"It is lovely. Better than I imagined and I shall enjoy the day here to the fullest. Thank you for sending me an invitation," said Eleanor.

"You speak as though you don’t think you won’t be here again. I intend to invite you to the other gatherings. I can’t say you will see all your peers that are here now but there should be a few familiar faces. I meant it when I said that I was trying something new," Hazel said as Eleanor looked as though she didn’t believe it.

Truthfully, Hazel had a special reason for inviting who was here today. Many could call her crazy for having a brothel owner’s daughter here today but did anyone stop to think about the gossip Eleanor must know?

Eleanor was a valuable person to have around now when Hazel needed allies. Allies who could help her be one step ahead of those plotting against her here in the palace. Hazel wouldn’t be surprised if Eleanor knew a lot about her family or maybe the Hensons.

Hazel saw she was right when Eleanor warned Sophia earlier. Aside from this, Hazel also looked forward to making another good friend. A genuine friend who wasn’t interested in her simply because of her marriage to Tobias.

’Then I look forward to coming to the palace in the future. If I may, be mindful of who the king is around. A few are looking to do foul things to get women into his bed," Eleanor whispered.

It was what she was told recently as a man spoke of his daughter becoming the king’s woman. Eleanor thought to share it even though it might not happen as a thank you for the invitation.

"Oh, thank you," Hazel said, making note of it. "Do you know who will be the one doing this plot?"

"Unfortunately, I do not. I’m sorry," Eleanor apologised. She wasn’t exactly listening too much to matters concerning the king and queen as something else had caught her attention.

"It is fine. Thank you for sharing that with me. You can start to pick out something to eat. I have been letting you speak since you sat down and didn’t offer you something," Hazel realised.

At another table, Sophia could not understand the queen’s interest in Eleanor. With the man Sophia had married, she was in a good position to become close to the queen so why was Eleanor there? Eleanor could not judge her as it wouldn’t be long before she sold her body.

’The queen is mad,’ Sophia thought.

It was annoying that she had gotten married before the prince’s return or then she could have seduced him and be the one to sit as queen. Sophia had already missed out on becoming a duchess because she was careless and now this.

"Your Majesty, I hope you will bring us back to celebrate the news of you having a child."

Sophia turned to the lady beside her who brought up a child. Why were children coming up when those newly married didn’t want to think about them at a time like this? This was a time for gossip and becoming closer to those who shared a similar status not thinking about children who would ruin their bodies.

Hazel enjoyed a drink Linda was so kind to pour for her. She was not here to speak of children today. She had taken a glimpse of the young woman who asked and was not going to invite her to the next gathering.

"Rather than children, we should speak of the festival that is coming. What dresses would be best suited for such an occasion?" Linda asked, jumping in to save Hazel.

The question sparked the women speaking about what they wanted to wear that day.

"Thank you," Hazel whispered to Linda.