Chapter fifty-six: The Divide
I stepped out of the carriage, glancing around. Several other nobles, some I recognized from the last event, and others I didn't know at all, walked toward the castle. Justin held out his arm without a word and led us up the stairs.
A few people called out a greeting to him as we walked through the corridor, but for the most part everyone kept to themselves. The more people that came into view, the more I belatedly realized that well over half of the nobles were women. That's a bit strange.
"See those women up ahead." Justin nodded toward a cluster of women around his mothers age. "Take note of the way they are dressed. Perhaps you can take inspiration from them."
"You want me to dress like a widow?" I tilted my head, widening my eyes. "But, Lord Justin, that is bad luck!"
"Pardon?" Justin stumbled forward half a step and flushed a deep red. "That is not what I meant, Lady Kyla. I only-"
"Ah, lord Justin!" A loud booming voice sounded behind us.
We both turned to see an extremely tall golden-copper skinned man with broad shoulders, walking toward us. His long black hair was tied tight behind his head, swaying with each step. A woman, who looked strikingly similar, followed a few steps to his right, yawning. What stood out the most were the golden-reds and tans of their lavish attire. The woman was who held my attention. Rather than a dress she wore a pair of loose fitting pants, and a shirt that could have been mistaken for a man's.
I blinked a few times and looked away before she caught me staring. Who is she and where can I get clothes made like that?
"Oh, hello Prince Runaxt." Justin forced a smile, holding out his hand. "What brings you her-"
He broke off when the prince bound forward, warped an arm around Justin's shoulders, and pressed a beefy hand into the top of his head. I choked back a laugh when Justin's face darkened to a purple-reddish hue.
"Long time no see, ya weakingly." Runaxt boomed, pressing down harder. "Haven't seen you since we were in school, yeah? Right?"
"Runaxt, stop bothering the natives." The woman sighed, stopping a few feet away. "The man looks like he's about to faint."
"What?" Runaxt bent over and poked Justin in the face. "Ya gotten weak, huh boy?" He chuckled and took a step back. "Suppose you were always on the frail side."
Justin cleared his throat, readjusting his outfit. "I see you haven't changed at all."
"Change is only for those that want to change." Runaxt laughed, turning to look at me. "Well, now, what a fine looking warrior."
"I'm sorry?" I asked, bewildered.
"You practically ooze fiery passion." He walked over, took my hands, and bent down so we were eye level. "Does your flame fly or is it slumbering?"
"Runaxt," The woman appeared beside him, elbowing him hard upside his head.
Runaxt flinched and released my hands, rubbing the sore spot. "Damn it, Anyula," he pouted. "I was making a connection!"
"I apologize for my brother." Anyula grasped my hands, smiling. "He's a great warrior but he lacks common sense."
I flickered my eyes to Runaxt, then back at the woman. "It's good to see...someone with so much energy?"
Anyula laughed and leaned forward, dipping her voice low. "He may be a bit wild but, he's not wrong about you." She turned her head, brushing her lips against my cheek. "Come see me if you ever need help with training."
She turned, jumped into the air, grabbed her brother's ear and began tugging him away. Runaxt protested the entire time, until they walked down the hall and disappeared around the corner. Neither Justin nor myself moved for a while. While he muttered under his breath about decorum and clothing, I stared blankly ahead. What...just happened?
"If he had not been so close to the crown prince, I would never have allowed him to act so improperly." Justin huffed, holding out his arm for me.
"He's a friend of Prince Cassius?" I mumbled, taking his arm. I don't remember Prince Runaxt or Princess Anyula being in the novel.
"Unfortunately." Justin sighed, leading us down the way the siblings had disappeared. "As you know the Lake Fall Academy hosts everyone that is prestigious enough. Though that man was a few years below me, he hassled me periodically. The only reason the Prince of Eunto was invited was to keep peace between our nations. I never understood why..."
Justin continued to complain the entire walk, complaining about how he was bullied by 'that bute' and how he was jealous of Justin's top grades. I was more interested in the fact that Cassius and Runaxt were friends. I didn't think Cassius had any friends. The interaction I had with Cassius in the garden flitted through my mind, almost making me sigh. Cassius is far more than he seems.
After several minutes, we finally reached the banquet hall. Nobles cluttered the room, conversing with themselves in low murmurs. Just led us toward one of the several empty tables and pulled out my chair, motioning for me to sit.
"I will be back shortly." He patted my hand. "Try not to miss me too much, my lady."
I shivered, barely repressing a gag as he turned and walked off – headed toward a group of men. Why do I even have to be here? I wondered, glancing around. More people had begun to arrive and several of them did similar things as Justin had. The wives, lovers, or mistresses separated from the men, clustering with their social groups.
I sat back against the chair, stopping when I spotted the Eunto siblings. They were both seated at a large table in the center – near the head where the royals would take their place once they arrived. Several of the people around them glanced their way, but the majority gave them a wide berth. The woman kept a fair distance from them, despite giggling and blushing when they made eye contact with Runaxt.
Aren't they being rude to foreign royalty? Either the siblings were used to the scrutiny or they didn't care. Neither seemed bothered by the treatment they were receiving. If anything, Anyula seemed happy to be excluded from the conversations. Runaxt, on the other hand, didn't let the nobles ignore him. He actively spoke to a few of them – even though he was ignored.
I kinda feel bad for her. I laughed quietly to myself. Having to deal her her brother must be exhausting. As if she heard my thoughts, Anyula titled her head in my direction, pressed a finger to her lips, and winked.
"What a strange woman." I looked away quickly. She's cool though. Too bad the people of this damned country are so conservative.
A prickle of eyes on the back of my neck, sent a shiver down my spine. I turned my head and froze, making eye contact with someone I'd rather never see again. Duke Thornevale and his useless son sat at the center table, surrounded by high ranking nobles. Where the Duke was busy making conversation, Gerald glared at me.
He leaned forward, mouthing something along the lines of 'you're dead' or 'where bread.' I tiled my head to the side and slowly raised my hand. Gerald's face blackened when I raised my middle finger and offered a sugary-sweet smile.
He jumped to his feet, slamming his hands against the table. The Duke whipped his head around and snapped something at his son. Gerald, eyes full of rage, looked over at his father saying something I couldn't hear even if I wanted to.
Duke Thornevale looked over at me for half a second then back at Gerald. Whatever he said, had Gerald's face turning a deep red. Gerald sat, crossing his arms and pointedly looking away from me. I shrugged and turned back around, looking at nothing in particular. What a childish man. I poked at the table cloth with my index finger, waiting for the night to be over with already.
"The banquet will be starting soon." Justin's voice echoed from behind me.
Unconsciously, I stiffened as he walked over and pulled out his chair. "I expect the King and his Mistress will come in last." He cleared his throat, sitting. "I do hope they serve something edible this time."
"What about the queen?" I looked over at him. "Is she not coming?"
"Don't be ridiculous." Justin turned his head, waving over two couples. "She's a traitor. Had the king not felt something for her she would have lost her head."
What? A traitor? Why? Questions swirled through my mind that would remain unanswered. I thought back to the novel, trying to recall if that was ever mentioned. Maybe it was in the last book. Although Cassius was the male lead, his backstory had been strangely vague. Every time Paulita thought about him it was always 'he's dreamy' or 'I love him so much more than I ever thought I could love anyone.' Wow, maybe she really was the blandest protagonist ever written.
"Baron Frankfun, Baron Westvine, this is my fiancé, Lady Kyla Thornevale." Justin said, interrupting my thoughts.
Two men, one in his late sixties and one that looked to be in his early thirties, smiled. To the right of the younger man, a heavily pregnant brunette with vivid blue eyes held on to his arm. On the older man's left a blonde woman, at least ten years younger, looked frustrated like she wanted to be anywhere where he wasn't.
"Pleasure to meet you." Baron Franfun smiled, pulling out a chair and helping the brunette sit.
Baron Westvine nodded at me and sat, without bothering to pull out his partner. The blonde shot him a dirty look and sat, huffing into the seat beside him.
The men began to launch into talks about finances and development of a new textile chain – a topic that would make anyone fall asleep.
"I'm Baroness Givionna Frankfun." Givionna offered a smile, resting a hand on her stomach. "It's nice to meet you, Lady Kyla."
"You as well." I smiled, taken aback by her friendly words.
"Is this your first banquet?" She rubbed a semi-circle over her stomach, sighing.
"Yes."
She shifted forward, patting my hand. "Don't mind the men, they always do this."
I opened my mouth to respond when the loud piercing sound of a trumpet filled the air. Everyone in the room looked toward the doors – their conversations dying instantly.
The trumpeter lowered the instrument and cleared his throat. "Announcing his Majesty, King Atticus Helios, accompanied by Duchess Lovine Jacombs and Prince Herold."
The double doors opened wide and in stepped a man who looked the spitting image of Cassius – though far more weathered and expressionless. On his arm, a raven haired woman robed in silk and lace – smiled mischievously. To her right, a boy – no more than fifteen – stood uncomfortably, looking down at his feet.
The Royal Banquet had begun.