Chapter 128: scrooge, miser

"It is because I want you to show how hard a competition could be," said Cassius as he walked towards me with a band in his hand.

"May I have the pleasure, my lady," he asked me to forward his hand for me to take, I just wanted my hands on his cheek, giving him a slap, nowhere in between, but there were a lot of people and enough drama was already done.

So I gave a sweet smile and forwarded my hand, which he held gently, his touch was soft and his smile was so warm. If I did not know any better I would have thought he was actually happy to hold my hand and put the bracelet on my wrists.

"It was just a game, not war, you could have taught him about the competition any other day," I said as he tied the strings of the bracelet.

"I would keep that in my mind next time, my lady," he said with the same tenderness or was I hallucinating.

"I never knew, Cassius is this loving and caring," said Charles walking towards us. "By the way duchess, these bands are for the one we love or the one we are married to?" he asked and I furrowed my brows. What trick was he playing now!

"Shouldn't both be the same, your majesty?" I asked and he shook his head.

"I have two, as everyone knows, so shouldn't I be given two bands, for each of them" oh! So that was the reason since his family name had helped me a while ago, I would not be petty.

"Of course, your highness. I can even give a bunch to you if you ask." I said and he smirked, "I will just send a bill later," I added and his smirk turned stiff, then he laughed and shook his head.

"You sure are unique, I will pay not only for mine but for everyone's band, give one to each noble as a token of appreciation from my side.'' Ah, money, I could see the gold coins falling over me in front of my eyes. I would make sure to charge him double the market price, this would be enough to reimburse all the coins I had spent.

"It will not be needed, your highness. The bill is on us" said Cassius and I glared at him, 

'Scrooge, miser, he did not pay a single coin to me without asking for a bill yet he was distributing my investment with free hands, how could he!"

"Ah, I think, we should not go against the wishes of his highness, since he wants to pay, we have no right to object," I said with a fake laugh but Cassius just looked at me like I was crazy.

"We are the ones who had organised the party Marianne, his majesty is our guest." he pointed in a stiff tone. 

'I was the one, Cassius, i... There was no we in it, and Charles is a rich guest, he won't be affected by paying a little.' i wanted to shout but nodded, here went my money again!

"Ian, go and collect bands from the maids, and distribute one to each nobleman presented," he announced as my heart bled thinking about the gold I could have earned through it.

"My lords and ladies I'm much obliged for your presence and recognizing me as your host. Why don't we settle ourselves at the banquet before another set of games.." 

"Are there more games, your highness?" asked viscount and I nodded.

"Yes, of course, I will make sure to keep you intrigued till evening," I replied.

"But, your highness, it's already noon," said Earl and I realised a lot of time was wasted due to the drama mother-daughter had played.

"Oh, then some other time maybe." 

"Uh, what was that game, that you are cancelling, your highness." asked viscountess Gloria and I smiled.

"Oh, let it be a surprise so that I could amaze you at the next party again." 

I could see the disappointment on the face of many ladies, and that's what I wanted, to keep them attracted and intrigued. 

"But you all are always welcome in the palace, we can always play a few games while chatting over tea" and then I would soon convince you to rebel with me.

"Oh, that would be a wonderful idea, your highness." said a few ladies and others soon nodded their heads.

We all walked towards the banquet hall, where separate tables were arranged for each family, and a music show was organized on the stage.

I heard a lot of whispers that the party was organized well and I smiled brightly, finally, the transition had started happening.

My eyes fell on Isabella who was sitting 5 tables away from us, her cheek still had that red mark and her eyes were full of anger. Should I be sad with the way things happened! Oh my, no, I was in the best mood ever looking at her face.

Many couples started having danced in the background. I was looking at them with a smile when two hands were forwarded in front of me.

"Mother, would you like to have a dance with me," asked Killian with a sweet smile on his face.

"No one is dancing with his son, Killian, it would look odd. I shall be the one to dance with our mother as decorum" as if I care about his false decorum in any way.

"I think as a co-host, he is my partner for today's party. So I shall dance with him." and without waiting for an answer I held Killian's hand and walked towards the other couples. He took my hand perfectly and soon we started moving on the rhythm. he had learnt dance well in a very few days. I turned my head and looked at our table where Cassius was sitting alone.

I could feel a lot of scrutinising and mocking gazes on Cassius and closed my eyes, I hope it made him realise how I had felt in my both lifetimes.