Chapter 261: The Night of the Banquet
Alaric and Lara left the garden and returned to the drawing room. It was time for Alaric to leave, but before he did, he handed Lara a beautifully wrapped gift.
"I’ll see you at the banquet tomorrow. Please wear that," Alaric leaned forward and whispered before leaving to avoid imposing on Lara’s family.
All that had happened was witnessed by two people.
Mira, who was on the second floor and about to come down to join the family dinner, felt a tightness in her chest when she noticed the closeness between Alaric and Lara. How had Prince Alaric become so close to Lara?
She gritted her teeth at the memory of the time the prince dodged, making her fall. She believed that the prince simply didn’t want women in his personal space, but seeing how close Lara stood beside him, she could only curse silently.
Amelia was sitting in a corner when she saw the prince and Lara enter. She was displeased. Lara used to shun boys. She was shy and nervous when men approached her. But right now, Prince Alaric was too close for comfort. Just when did Lara became so comfortable surrounded by men?
Her friend had changed into someone she did not recognize.
...
The following night, Lara stood just inside the grand banquet hall, her hand resting lightly on the arm of her brother Asael, though her eyes were scanning the crowd. Crystal chandeliers poured golden light across the marbled floor, where nobles were buzzing around, in sweeping robes and embroidered coats. Laughter tinkled like wind chimes—pleasant, calculated, but hollow.
The air was filled with the nauseating, almost dizzying scent of expensive perfume layered with wine and roasted meats. Behind her calm expression, Lara felt her stomach knot.
She was here. She’d chosen to come despite her family’s advise.