Wace was feeling a bit guilty, but Piper was like a big sister to him, and he couldn''t bear to let her down.


    "I know that."


    When the delegation arrived, the royal family threw a grand wee dinner, with the Queen herself ying host to wash the dust from their travels. As the head of the chess club, Piper was naturally in attendance.


    The dinner hadn''t officially started yet, but Piper had arrived early to coordinate dinner arrangements with the staff.


    Ulysses, the evening''s most anticipated guest, was notably absent. Orson''s exnation was that he was feeling under the weather.


    Ulysses was famously averse to social gatherings.


    It wasmon knowledge in their circles that Piper was somewhat displeased by this.


    A dinner attended by the Queen herself, and Ulysses was ying hooky?


    At the venue, Brittany and Eltham arrived hand in hand, but Piper whisked Eltham away as soon as they arrived.


    Brittany was relieved.


    Pregnant and avoiding alcohol, she chose a fruit juice instead, hoping to find a quiet spot to rest. But turning around, she bumped into Orson, spilling her juice all over herself. "Sorry, I didn''t mean to. Are you alright?" Brittany apologized immediately.


    Orson, who was dressed to the nines, was visibly upset about his stained outfit, but upon locking eyes with Brittany, his expression turned to shock.


    "Ms. Russell?"


    His voice trembled, disbelief coloring his tone.


    Julie Russell-Dustin had been dead for years; how could she be standing here?


    "You knew my mother?" Brittany realized Orson had mistaken her for Julie.


    "Your mother was Julie Russell?" Orson couldn''t believe it. Brittany''s resemnce to Julie was uncanny - they could easily be mistaken for mother and daughter. "Yes."


    Orson''s demeanor softened dramatically: "What''s your name?"


    "Brittany."


    "So, you''re Ms. Russell''s daughter." Something seemed to click for Orson: "Do you y chess?"


    "A bit."


    Orson nced at Brittany''s hands - delicate and slender, not the hands of a professional yer.


    Such a pity. Julie had been so talented, yet it seemed that talent hadn''t been passed down to her daughter.


    "Orson, the Queen has arrived."


    Someone called Orson away.


    Before leaving, Orson gave Brittany onest look: "Ms. Lte, I''d like to visit Ms. Russell''s grave sometime. I hope you can guide me there."


    "Of course."


    After Orson left, Brittany found a secluded corner.


    The Queen and Orson''s meeting was lively. Eltham and Piper, both dressed elegantly and in matching colors, looked like a couple made in heaven.


    Unbeknownst to Orson, Eltham was already engaged. Trying to make conversation, Orson said, "Ms. Walker and Prince Eltham make such a fine pair. Is the wedding fixed?" Piper''s eyes sparkled with pride at thepliment.


    The guests buzzed with admiration for the pair.


    But then-


    "Orson, you''re mistaken. Piper and I are just friends," Eltham rified with a warm smile. "My fiancée is someone else."


    "And who might that be?"


    "Miss Brittany." Spotting Brittany in her secluded corner, Eltham extended his hand: "Bri,e here."


    Caught off guard by Eltham''s move, Brittany couldn''t disappoint him in front of everyone.


    She put down her juice and took Eltham''s hand.


    The guests remembered their engagement, silencing the prior whispers. The photographers captured the moment, their hands joined together. Piper''s face stiffened.Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.