9 Banquet (3)

The traditional banquet was split into 3 parts: 1) Free discussion, where everyone gathered and chatted around, forming connections and exchanging words, 2) performances, where different kinds of entertaining shows, like dancing, poetry challenges, acrobatic stunts and so on were displayed, and lastly, fighting competition.

As the country itself put more emphasis on power, it was reflected well on many occasions. Martial exchanges were always popular, so the current times wasn't an exception either.

''Lively, isn't it?'' Chris laughed as he gobbled some snacks.

''Yeah, I don't hate this kind of thing, as long as there's no need to two-facedly talk to some hypocritical asshats.'' Leto grinned by his side.

''We're kids, duh.'' Chris burped contentedly.

''Hey shitheads, so you were hiding there.'' The young man dressed in a neat martial suit called out to them with a snort.

''Here comes the trouble,'' Leto muttered.

''What are you whispering about, eh? You snotballs have guts to talk to my sister. Do it again and I'll kill you.'' Chris was lifted up by the collar like a chicken. The veins bulged on the violent young master's head.

''Violence is no good. Let's be friends.'' From behind a towering white cake decorated with strawberries, a chirping sound arose. There were no strawberries left to the cake on that side now...

The violent young master's face turned purple as his brows twitched. From somewhere, he felt an ominous stare directed at him.

Suddenly, he lifted up Chris and threw him up in the air, not minding his scream. He caught him, then threw him up again like a little kid.

''Oh, miss Lucia must have misunderstood. I only wanted to play a little, ha, haha~'' The violent young master showed an ugly smile, which appeared worse than crying.

''Oh, I want it too.'' Lucia excitedly ran to him, her small head bobbing up, barely reaching his waist.

''This...I don't dare...'' The young master took a step back in fear, not daring to throw her up and down, afraid of the consequences.

''No, I want to play!'' Lucia jumped up to grab his hand, insisting.

''I...excuse me, I have something to do.'' He fled, leaving disappointed Lucia, who was pouting hard, tears lingering in her clear, glimmering golden eyes.

''C'mere, I'll play with you.'' Chris took the initiative and spread his hands wide.

Leto almost choked on his meat soup.

''Yay!'' Lucia cheered enthusiastically.

Since the duo appeared extremely funny looking with their bald heads, Lucia easily got attached to them. A little bit of acting and humor from their side and they were buddies for life.

Chris was timid at first, afraid to take the risk, but now...he was overly friendly, worryingly so. Leto felt worried, afraid to offend the guardian.

''Everyone, little miss of our family has a big announcement to make. Please, pay attention.'' A powerful voice boomed in the hall, following which, the crowd quieted down, staring at the speaker with curiosity.

''Carlos's speaking. I wonder what it's about.'' Chris murmured.

Leto suddenly felt uncomfortable, his intuition telling him something was about to happen, which he wouldn't like.

''Sorry everyone to take your time. I want to take advantage of this occasion and make an announcement.'' Charlotte's clear voice full of determination echoed in the silent hall.

Leto frowned, vaguely realizing something.

''I want to formally declare, I, Charlotte Vensmonty annul the marriage with the Lockhart Family!'' Charlotte took out the ancient looking marriage tractate and showed it to the public.

It was like a bombshell dropping. The crowd clamored, exclaiming in disbelief.

''INSOLENCE!'' Gile shouted in anger.

It was a huge shame to the Lockhart family, which would potentially destroy the good relationship between the two families of great generals.

Antonio grinned from the sidelines, contentedly drinking a glass of wine, excitedly watching Gile's reaction.

''What is happening?'' Lucia exclaimed, unable to understand the situation.

''Bro...'' Chris worriedly took a look at Leto, whose face was abnormally solemn.

''I want to hear your answer, Leto Lockhart.'' Charlotte looked straight into Leto's eyes.

Gile felt so shameful and wrathful at the same time. He was trying his best to cool down his anger, but it hardly worked.

''YOU..!''

''It's fine, your son's all grown now. Let him make his own decision, as for the face lost, bear it for a while. As things developed to this point, there's nothing else to do. You can't lose your temper here. It'll only make things more awkward.'' Jafra advised him and patted his burly hand on Gile's shoulder. Cold energy diffused from his hand, slightly cooling down Gile's wrathful flames.

He calmed his temper somewhat, but was still staring at Charlotte hard, partly in disbelief and partly angrily.

Meanwhile, the third prince couldn't be happier. He mockingly stared at Leto's stiffened figure.

''You want to hear my answer, is that it?'' Leto smiled as he started walking in her direction slowly.

''Bro, don't act rashly,'' Chris whispered at him, afraid he would react in an unredeemable way.

The crowd quieted down, interested in Leto's reaction.

Carlos stared at Leto sternly, with warning intent.

Charlotte seemed unfazed.

''Gimme that.'' Leto snatched the tractate from her hands like a hooligan, surprising everyone.

He tore the paper like it was something unimportant and grinned at Charlotte.

''Happy?''

Charlotte stiffened. She wanted such reaction from him, but in no way did she expect it would be so easy. She even prepared how to force him into giving up on the marriage, which would of course shame Lockhart family, but unexpectedly, she didn't need any of it.

She silently heaved a sigh of relief, but she felt somewhat discontent at the same time, not sure herself why.

'This little hooligan doesn't hesitate a bit to tear the relationship between the kingdom's number 2 or 3 beauty such as me? Does he even know the value of that paper?' She even felt doubtful, whether Leto even knew what he was doing or not.

''Do you want to know why?'' Leto asked casually, appearing at ease.

Charlotte stared at him hard, but the more she looked, the less she understood him.

The crowd was, doubtlessly, not expecting such development. They curiously watched the drama unfolding in front of their eyes, which would probably be a thing of discussion and gossip for a while, a rather interesting page of their boring lives.

''Oh, it's simple. It's wrong to arrange a marriage without a couple's consent in the first place.'' His nonchalant voice rang like thunder.

The young ladies, who previously disdained him felt their hearts tremble and resonate with his words.

It was true, they had status, which countless commoners would envy, but in truth, they were just disposable tools for their family, as they couldn't control their fates. Exchanging their children's happiness for the family's prosperity was a common thing for nobles.

Some girls felt so emotional that, tears started lingering in their eyes, their eyes reddening.

Charlotte also trembled slightly, absentmindedly staring at the young man, who she looked down upon, her emotions a mess.

''Outrageous!''

''This brat doesn't respect his ancestors!''

''Such flippant young man. Sigh, to think he's great general Gile's son...what a disappointment.''

...

The majority of the people disdained him, especially men and the middle-aged noblewomen. Since he indirectly questioned what everyone believed in was natural, they rejected and looked down on him even more.

Leto grinned inwardly as he expected and desired such a reaction.

Now he would be considered impetuous good for nothing man who acted without considering consequences.

As for the marriage, he never really cared about it.

'For the face lost, heh...I'll have it back with interest. It's only fun to exceed everyone's expectations when nobody expects anything from you, while when all hopes are on your back, it feels like a burden. I'm free now.' Leto laughed cheerfully. It was heartfelt happiness, but for others, it looked like actions of an idiot.

Meanwhile, Charlotte felt somewhat lost and empty as he stared at the torn paper at her feet. She didn't space out for long though, as she recovered quickly.

''It's for the best.'' She said and left determinedly, not a speck of regret in her eyes.

''Haha, admirable, admirable.'' The third prince patted Leto's shoulder, feeling delightful over other's misfortune.

Leto didn't take it to heart and returned to Chris and Lucia.

''Are you alright, big brother?'' Lucia looked at him with worry.

''Haha, why, do I look sad or something? Oh, do you know that thing? It's super tasty, try it out.'' Leto resumed his normal state.

''That was cool self-destruction. Ah, what a pity.'' Chris felt regretful for Leto, though he still looked at him with admiration.

''What are you mumbling there? You can try these chocolate nuts too. It's super delish.'' Leto recommended.

''Alright then...oh, damn, it's really good.'' Chris complimented.

''Yummy.'' Bliss was written all over Lucia's face.

''Ah, don't eat that much. You'll get sick.''

''No way!''

''I'll eat till I burst!''

''Don't~''

...

The banquet continued. People discussed among themselves even more excitedly now.