Chapter 94 - Banquets Here, There, and Everywhere (Part 2)

Vaughn was holding Zenia's hand while they were in the carriage. She could feel the slight trembling of his hand.

'Is he nervous?' Zenia Looked at Vaughn who was too absorbed in his own thoughts.

Zenia sighed, "Are you worrying that I might do something during the banquet?"

"Huh?" Vaughn looked at Zenia and saw a trace of discontent on her face. "Oh, I know you will do fine. I'm just worried that some people might do something uncalled for and put you in an awkward spot."

'He is worrying! Why don't just say it out loud? It's not like I will really do something bad to them… or at least I still make sure to have a clean getaway.'

Zenia took the initiative to kiss his mask to calm him down.

"Don't worry, I won't do anything bad."

Vaughn regretted wearing a mask. It was the first time that she took the initiative, and his mask was the one that received the kiss. He may probably burn that mask later.

The trip was oddly smooth. Vaughn already stationed some men to the route that they would take. They did not encounter any assassination attempt or a ploy to cause a delay. Zenia relaxed and just enjoyed the ride. 

When they reached their destination, Vaughn helped Zenia to get off the carriage. The attendant of the banquet saw them immediately and rang the bell to announce their arrival.

"Presenting, the Crown Prince and Princess of Tissuria."

Everyone looked at the direction of the door of the hall and greeted the couple. No other members of the Royal Family were allowed to attend the banquets that the nobles had scheduled to hold for the next few months. The banquets were specially arranged to welcome the Crown Princess, but everyone knew that it was not the case.

The spotlight should be on the newest member of the Royal Family. Inviting the other members of the Royal Family would take away the limelight from Zenia. However, everyone knows that no one was interested to know the Crown Princess at all. They already knew everything about her, and they were not impressed. None was interested to know Zenia, except Count Bernard Cordove. 

Everybody greeted in unison, "Greetings, Crown Prince and Princess."

Vaughn raised his hand to acknowledge the greeting, and everyone returned to what they were doing.

"Your Highness, you're here. Crown Princess, it's a pleasure to have you here." The Duke and Duchess of Hezaar greeted the couple and exchanged some pleasantries.

One by one, the heads of the noble families flocked around the royal couple and tried to win their good side. Some were trying to pull Vaughn away from Zenia, but he held Zenia's hand tightly. The scheming nobles could do nothing but let the couple go together. It was still early, and they could still find an opportunity to get the Crown Prince alone.

The music began to play, and couples began to dance. Vaughn took Zenia's hand and held her waist. They began to sway according to the Baroness' teachings. Zenia had greatly improved. She was better than their practice earlier. Vaughn whispered in her ear to praise her. She giggled in return.

The ladies who were discussing a ploy earlier saw the seemingly flirtatious exchange between the couple. They gritted their teeth in anger. Their opponent, though ugly, seemed to have a few tricks up her sleeve. They may need more than their own capabilities to defeat the opponent.

"Why don't you let your Marquis uncle invite the Crown Prince for a small chat, and we will come over to join?"

"What about the Crown Princess? Didn't you see how the Crown Prince held his wife's hand earlier?"

"Let me take care of that. She belongs to the younger generation and should not reject the invitation of her elderly. I will ask my grandmother to help me out."

The ladies sneered secretly at Zenia who was laughing with Vaughn as they continued to dance. Some women tried to cut in and have their turn to dance with Vaughn. Zenia did not give them the opportunity to make their move.

They danced five times in a row until they called it quits. Vaughn and Zenia took their seats. In Tissuria, women could ask a man to dance with her. The man had no right to refuse a woman who asked him for a dance. A man could decline the invitation if he already danced three times in a row. Vaughn had a right to decline any invitation to dance since he already did five consecutive turns. He was already too exhausted.

The meals were served, and everyone began eating. The Duke of Hezaar invited some musicians and dancers to provide entertainment. Everyone was delighted, including Zenia and Vaughn.

"Why does it seem so quiet?"

"What do you mean?"

"Someone should've approached us by now and do something to separate us." Vaughn could see Zenia's smiling eyes.

"You are expecting it?"

"Of course! I am looking forward to it."

"Heads up, I think someone just heard you and wants to grant your request."

An elderly woman, around sixty years old, went together with a young maid, and they walked to Zenia and Vaughn's table. The elderly woman stopped a few steps away from the couple's table. The maid was carrying a token of the House of Manford, an influential family and weapons supplier. The Master Weaponsmith once worked for them and for an unknown reason, they fell apart. The Master Weaponsmith disappeared from the circle and never heard of again.

Vaughn found the Master Weaponsmith and employed him to craft the weapons that his men would use. No one knew that the Crown Prince had his own craftsman for his weapons and no one was interested to know.

"Greetings, Crown Prince and Princess. The Matriarch of the House of Manford would like to invite the Crown Princess to her table."

The couple looked at the elderly woman who slightly bowed her head to show respect. Even though she was elderly, she should give her respects to any direct member of the Royal Family.

"I would love to," Zenia's gentle voice and elegant manner of speaking startled the maid.

The young maid heard from the mistresses and young mistresses of the House of Manford that the Crown Princess was someone unruly and ugly. Although she could not see Zenia's face, she had a feeling that the Crown Princess was not someone ugly and unruly.

Vaughn stood up and helped Zenia and whispered, "Be careful. If my guess is correct, they will try to detain you for a long time while someone will come and sit with me."

"Hmm, I will surely find a way to break free from them when it's time to go. You don't need to fetch me."

The couple did not realize how intimate they looked when they got close like that.

"This way Crown Princess," the maid ushered her.

They walked to where the matriarch was standing.

'Humph, so this is the Crown Princess that my granddaughter talked about. Seems okay, but we will see.'

"This junior greets the Matriarch of the House of Manford. I am pleased to meet you. I am looking forward to your guidance."

The matriarch was surprised to hear the sound of Zenia's voice and her manner was appropriate. Where was the unruly woman? The elderly woman couldn't help but smile at Zenia.

"Crown Princess, it is my duty as your senior to guide you. I know that you are yet to learn all of the customs and traditions of our kingdom, you don't need to worry about creating some mistakes here and there."

Although the matriarch was smiling, Zenia tried her best to suppress her annoyance.

'Is she cursing me to create a series of mistakes in this banquet? Dream on!'

"I thank you in advance madam. I hope I will not bring shame to my teacher, the Baroness Munchefort."

"B-Baroness Munchefort is the one teaching you the Royal Etiquette?"

"Yes, madam. The Crown Prince especially assigned her to teach me."

The matriarch knew the reputation of the baroness, and they had a heated confrontation when they were younger. She dared not cross paths with the woman again. She would not be able to help her granddaughter in giving the Crown Princess some hard time. She knew that Baroness Munchefort wouldn't let her off when she learned that the Crown Princess had an unpleasant experience with the matriarch during the banquet.

The matriarch wanted to withdraw the invitation but couldn't. She could only find someone to carry out her granddaughter's plan.