Chapter 93 - Banquets Here, There, and Everywhere (Part 1)

Vaughn's men had improved a lot within the first few days using the new training course. Although grandpa told them that he only knew a little about the lithe movement technique, the efficiency and agility of Vaughn's men improved greatly. He obviously knew more than just the basics. 

The night of the first banquet that Zenia would attend had finally arrived. The people in the Palace of the Crown Prince were all busy as if the Crown Prince and Princess were the ones holding the banquet.

"Ahh!! It's too tight! How am I supposed to enjoy the banquet if I am wearing something too tight?"

"We are not yet done Crown Princess just a bit more, please hold it in." The maids told Zenia as they tried to pull the corset and make it tighter.

"But if you make it this tight, I might only end up ripping it when I had too much to eat."

"That's why you need to eat like a lady and not some kind of wild boar." The Baroness could no longer tolerate the noise and decided to butt in.

"But teacher, I need to eat lots to have the energy that I need. My body should always be in top condition." Zenia answered the Baroness while holding on to a pillar as the maids keep tugging her corset. 

"Is that really the reason for eating huge amounts of food?"

"Yes, it is… and other important reasons too."

The Baroness doubted it, but she also knew that it was important for a soldier to have lots of energy that food could provide.

"I will take that reason for now." The Baroness turned to the maids, "You may loosen it a bit to make her comfortable."

The Baroness wanted to tighten the corset to prevent Zenia from eating too much. She already had a nice shape, to begin with, and may do away with the corset. However, the Baroness was certain that without a corset her stomach would bulge later from eating.

The one giving a feast for the night was the Duke of Hezar, who was known for trying to get on the good side of the Crown Prince. He even sent his daughter once to be the Crown Prince's concubine but got rejected in the end. He did not stop and still kept trying.

"Put on her makeup and make sure to make it pretty."

"Teacher, I will be wearing a face veil. I don't need makeup to…"

"Do as I say! You cannot be too certain what the scheming women in the banquet would do to you. Makeup is, after all, a woman's shield, armor, and weapon when going to a battle. You must use it wisely."

Zenia gave her teacher a puzzled look. Why would she need a shield and armor? Makeup could provide that? A battle? She shook her head.

'Sometimes, I don't understand what teacher is saying. When did going to a banquet becomes a battle?'

The maids and the attendants, from the wedding ceremony before, busied themselves in making Zenia more beautiful. They were careful not to overdo it. The Baroness would surely reprimand them if they created a single mishap.

Vaughn was anxiously waiting in his study. The Baroness forbade him from seeing Zenia. When everything was finished, the Baroness accompanied Zenia to the study.

"Your Highness, we are ready," the Baroness informed Vaughn when they reached the study.

Vaughn saw Zenia in Tissuria's traditional dress and could not believe that it really looked good on her. He realized that the image of Zenia in Tissuria's traditional dress that he created in his mind was a hag compared to the real thing. He suddenly felt like staying in his own palace and only dance with Zenia.

"You look stunning, my wife…"

"I know, I was surprised too when I saw myself in the mirror." Zenia flashed a naughty, captivating smile.

"Shall we go?" Vaughn took Zenia's hand and put it around his arm.

Zenia nodded and they both headed for the door. Outside, a carriage was already waiting for them.

* * * * *

Many people already came in, and they were anticipating the arrival of the Crown Prince and Princess. Most of the guests were noblewomen who were trying to enter the Crown Prince's harem to solidify the rank of their families or go higher.

Just as what the Baroness had explained, Vaughn's position as the next heir to the throne had been secured. He already married his Crown Princess who happened to have a strong family backing. The noble families of Tissuria and those with influence were trying to win the Crown Prince's favor and the best way they knew how was to send in their women.

They heard rumors that the Crown Prince was someone hideous, but it doesn't matter now that he could give them stability and power. Zenia and Vaughn were still oblivious of the plot of these nobles.

The noble young ladies who were thinking of entering the Crown Prince's harem had gathered in the corner. 

"What do you think? Is the Crown Princess really ugly?"

"I did not see her face and couldn't even come close to where they were during the wedding. But, I heard that she did not lift up her wedding veil."

"Yeah, I heard that too. The Crown Prince covered her face with the veil after the ceremonial kiss. I guess he doesn't want others to see her ugliness."

The ladies laughed so loud that they attracted attention. But, they kept chatting and never bothered with the sharp stares being thrown at them.

"Do you think we have a chance to get in?"

"If that Crown Princess will not use the influence of her family, we have a great chance and may even win the favor of the Crown Prince."

"I bet he will never set foot in the Crown Princess' room again once he had seen us."

"We can always ask our father or uncle to help us get in the Crown Prince's harem."

"With so many of us beautiful ladies, let's see what the Crown Princess can do. Let us do our best to seduce the Crown Prince and make him despise the ugly wench."

"Yes, once we got rid of the ugly, our competition to be the next Crown Princess begins."

The sound of laughter reverberated from the corner once more. Some of the elderly guests were annoyed with the ladies' lack of proper decorum. They just hoped that the Crown Princess was nothing like these ladies.

The Defense Minister of Tissuria, Count Bernard Cordove, heard the conversation of the ladies. He wanted to leave, but his feet seemed rooted to the ground. He learned their devious plan by accident, and he wondered who would really suffer in the end.