Chapter 269 - The Calm Before The Storm

After the King finished, he stood up indicating that we were done eating as well. He spoke, "We will now go to the ballroom. I have taken the liberty to prepare many luxurious desserts and drinks for everyone to enjoy."

The nobles all smiled proudly. I wanted to sigh in relief from being spared from the meal, but held it in. Once we were dismissed, Simon walked with me to the next room. I was shocked to see the room decorated with the finest silks and treasures. On several tables were hundreds of different desserts and varieties of drinks. There were many servants passing out finger food and drinks to those who wanted it.

I can't believe how grandiose they made this event! I know I said to throw a party so that the nobles would stop complaining, but I didn't mean to make it THIS extravagant! For f*cks sake! There is a war going on right now! 

Once everyone was inside, the King motioned for the music to start. Suddenly Simon and I were quickly surrounded by noble women. One of the ladies spoke with an overly friendly voice, "Ah, future Princess. It is a pleasure to meet you."

I forced myself to smile at them as they all began to introduce themselves. My head swam by how many of them were talking to me. Guest of honor? More like sacrificial lamb.

Simon bent over to whisper to me, "I am going to get a drink. Would you like one?"

I looked at him with pain in my eyes, "Yes. Please hurry. I can't take this sober."

He chuckled, "Right away."

The women around me stopped chattering as they watched him leave. Then their eyes turned back to me with apathy. Their once polite expressions were gone. One spoke, "Future Princess, The Sixth Prince must really favor you."

I smiled and forced out a laugh, "You really think so?"

They nodded, "Yes. If not, you should have been dead already."

D-Dead?! Why did the atmosphere suddenly turn so hostile?!

Another spoke, "Don't say that. You will frighten her. Did you forget she is from the Imperial Kingdom?"

I looked between them in confusion.

"Ah… You are right. Please forgive me, my Lady. I forgot that the Imperial swine get frightened easily."

I looked at her unsure of what to say, "Uh... It's alright?"

Another smiled, "My lady. Your makeup looks so nice. It doesn't look like a raccoon at all." 

Another added, "You are truly a courageous person, my lady. I would never be brave enough to wear that outdated color like you."

"Oh, my Lady. Your skin is truly smooth and luxurious. I wish I could have skin like that."

Oi. Are they being b*tches? 

I forced a smile, "You are all too kind."

The woman who had only listened spoke in a firm voice, "Cut it out. You shouldn't tease the future Princess. You will anger the King."

One whined, "I can't help it! Not only is the Sixth Prince getting married, but it is to an Imperial swine! Why can't I get married to one of the Princes?!"

The woman rolled her eyes, "Why would you be jealous of her? She's marrying Simon. The lowest and most unfavored of all of the Princes."

Well… I wouldn't say the most unfavored… I think Dante wins that title.

Oh, but I'm sure they don't know about that.

I ignored them both as they chattered. I could care less that they are trying to establish some kind of pecking order. This kind of display of dominance never interested me much. I don't understand how someone could be hurt by these boring words in novels. Although it didn't hurt my feelings, it was still very annoying. 

D*mn. Where is Simon at?

I caught sight of him walking over with two cups of wine in his hands. I sighed in relief.

Wait. Why do I feel relieved?! Is it because of Simon?!

Or the wine?!

Nope. It's definitely because of the wine.

I watched as Simon was soon stopped by noble looking men. I frowned in annoyance. D*mn them! I need my wine! How dare they prevent me from getting it!?

I abandoned the women beside me not caring if I seemed rude. I went over to Simon quickly and interrupted, "Darling~"

Simon stopped and looked at me with a smirk, "What is it my love?"

I grabbed the wine from his hand and pretended to cozy up, "You left me for too long. I got lonely…"

He chuckled as he kissed the top of my head, "Please forgive me." The two men who had stopped him cleared their throats. He looked at them while maintaining his smile, "Ah, let me introduce you. This is my fiancé Seri. Seri, this is Duke Eyre and Count Lyrd."

Count Lyrd? Sounds like lard. HAHA! I'm too funny.

I bowed to them, "It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance."

They bowed back. Duke Eyre spoke, "The pleasure is all mine. The King mentioned that it was your idea to take Lorei City."

I nodded, "Yes. I am sorry to interrupt, but if you will excuse us for a moment. I have to speak to Simon about something."

They nodded, "We understand."

As I shuffled Simon away, he looked at me with an eyebrow raised, "What do you need to speak to me about?"

I shot him a glance, "Nothing! I just found those people boring. I wanted to escape!"

He chuckled, "You really would make a terrible Queen."

I shrugged, "It's not like I said I wouldn't."

Simon and I spent the rest of the time dodging the boring nobles and their pointless conversation. After everyone was more relaxed, the King made an announcement, "If I could have everyone's attention please."

Everyone grew quiet as they turned to the King. He didn't even have to yell to gain everyone's attention.

He spoke in a firm voice, "I hope you are all enjoying the spoils of war that I have provided with you today. I promise that I will soon bring you much better things in the coming future. The war is leaning in our favor and will be won quickly!"

Everyone clapped and cheered. I forced myself not to roll my eyes.

Ahh. Propaganda. It's good to see it's still alive and well.

The King continued, "Furthermore, to celebrate our soon-to-be victory, we will be executing the war criminal Dante from the Imperial City tonight in front of everyone!"

My face dropped in horror. 

No… It couldn't be…

I looked at Simon in a panic. He smiled at me with a sadistic glint in his eyes. There was no trace of surprise in his expression.

No! NO! It can't be true!

They can't actually be thinking about executing Dante!!!

"He is the close friend to the Imperial King." The King bellowed out, "Once we kill him, the entire Imperial Kingdom will fall to their knees and bow before us!"

My face paled as cheers erupted among the crowd. I clutched my fists as I bit my lip to avoid shouting something I couldn't take back. An unmistakable fire surged inside my chest.

It's now or never.

Thanks to the unbridled excitement in the room, no one noticed as I slipped away. Simon watched me leave without a word and silently followed me. Once we were in the hall, he grabbed my hand to stop me, "Where do you think you are going?"

I yanked my hand out of his grip. I glared at him biting down my fury, "How long have you know?"

He tilted his head with a smile, "Whatever do you mean?"

…He knew the entire time.

I glared at him with hateful eyes, "You knew and kept it secret from me?!"

His grip tightened, "If I told you, then you would act irrationally. Just like you are doing now. I need you to calm down and return to the party or else my father will get upset."

I shouted, "FERN! COIL!"

Fern slithered out and quickly coiled along his wrist. The pressure made him let go. Fern fell to the ground between us. I turned to leave, but Simon grabbed me by the shoulders rough enough to leave a bruise. I struggled, but he didn't let go. Fern saw this and hissed but was kicked before he could bite.

"FERN!"

He stopped me once more, "Wait. You need to think this through."

"I don't have time to wait! In a few hours, Dante will be executed. I need to save him before then!!! So get your filthy hands off of me!"

As I tugged, he refused to let go, "Seri. Just stop. You should know that if you fight the King now, you will lose. Just stay here by my side. I promise that we can still lead a rebellion and overthrow the King."

I slapped him across the face. My voice was cold as I glared at him, "And here I thought you were better than your father. I guess I was wrong."

Simon let me go and watched as I ran to pick up the injured Fern. Simon rubbed his cheek without any expression as he watched me rush away. Then, he returned back to the party without uttering a word.

The King looked at him, "Where did the Guest of Honor go?"

Simon forced on a smile, "It seems that the spicy food is still too much for her. She will return after resting a while. I will go look after her, so she doesn't take too long."

The King nodded, "Ah, I guess she is still weak. Very well. Go watch over her. I will cover for you both until you return."

Simon bowed and walked out of the room with a smile. As soon as no one was around, his smile fell.

His voice was frosty, "Weak? What a joke."