4 3 Yellow Tulip: Jealousy

In the banquet hall, everyone dressed lavishly. People were happily dancing with their respected partners and endless chattering is heard throughout the room. The king and Anne were making their rounds to the guests before announcing their big surprise.

A good few minutes after they entered, a girl can be seen ushering a guy into the hall at the opposite side. When they came in, everyone couldn't help but turn around. The surprising sight made people hold their breaths.

The girl had her arm hooked on his with a bright smile that shines brighter than the sun. The man was helplessly looking at her, his eyes crinkling; showing hints of a smile. He had an icy demeanor, but she held a very gentle aura that balanced it out.

He wore a dark navy blue robe emitting an atmosphere as if the moon itself has come down to earth on this particular night, just for this event. His clothes matched her dress perfectly.

It was a very picturesque scene that graces the hall with its presence. Even the musicians almost forgot to continue playing their music.

A handsome man and beautiful woman walking in gracefully is something no ordinary human can ignore. After all, it was too much, too much of a scene to one's eyes!

Who were these people?

Stares intensely filled the room with a mix of jealousy and astonishment in which was all pointed towards them.

Oblivious to their surroundings, Lily lead Chen straight towards the food area. When they reach the table, her eyes were trying to hide her excitement, but her body was ecstatic. "These all look so good! Quick! Chen, tell me what these are?!" She finally burst in enthusiasm.

He glanced at her before looking at the food on the long; endless table and started to explain. "They are all traditional food of this country personally made by the best chefs we could find. This bun over here was specially made with ingredients traded from further north. It's tough to--"

Still hugging his arm, Lily hastily extends her free hand to grab a bun.

He stopped explaining as he realized she was not paying attention.

After she took a bite, her smile slowly grew wider. "This tastes so good!" Lily looked back at Chen with her eyes sparkling with little crumbs stuck on both sides of her face.

She looked so happy like heaven was nowhere but within her hand.

His heart shuddered.

Chen then lowered his head and naturally took a bite of the bun that was in her hand. "En. It is delicious."

"..."

What did he...just do? Her face formed a blank expression.

"Did you just...do that?" She voiced her opinion.

Having no clue what she was saying, he asked, "Hmmm? Do what?"

His mind was focusing on something else.

Chen furrowed his brows and lifted his hand towards her face, brushing off the crumbs off of her mouth. It was like it had ruined a beautiful painting, he couldn't help but wanted to quickly get rid of it.

After seeing that it was finally clean, he changed his expression to a more softer one. "What is it?" He continued.

"..."

Lily was left speechless.

She shook her head vigorously and seriously said, "Quick Chen, Help me get three plates!"

He could see his reflection in her big clear eyes. It seemed as if he's the only one in her world.

The way she called his name with her sweet inducing voice while hugging onto his arm, his heart skip a beat once again.

It was a first time someone spoke to him so close and direct.

"Why, three?" he replied in a low tender voice. His expression turned extremely gentle, not like his usual indifferent appearance.

Lily gave him a disdainful look and said in an 'as a matter of fact' way, "For breakfast, lunch, and dinner! I haven't had any of these three today!"

"..."

Chen quietly went to get her three plates along with utensils and napkins at the end of the long table.

_________________

After their little event at the food corner, they found a small, well-decorated table nearby to sit down and happily chat.

Lily talked about the things she wanted to try while visiting here. He also discovered that they had a lot of similar tastes in a variety of things.

Chen eyes had only looked at her ever since they came into the room.

He put his hand on his chin and the corners of his mouth slightly lifted upwards as he asked, "Do you like it that much?"

Her hands tightly clenched into a fist. "Yes! I want to learn how to make these soon so I can eat it whenever I want to!"

His eyes smiled. "Then, I'll get the chef to give you the recipe."

"Really?! What power!" Lily gave him her brightest smile. "As expected of the King's right-hand man, You're the best!"

Infected by her happiness, Chen finally laughed, showing a rare expression exposing his perfectly, white teeth.

"..."

Sensing that she was quiet, Chen asked, "What's wrong?"

This man, does he know if he does this to other women, they will faint already!

"You need to stop smiling otherwise; I'll punch you," Lily said coldly. Her face was slightly flushed as she looked down to continue eating.

"..."

Chen tilted his head and gave her a confused look.

"By the way, aren't you suppose to greet the guests like his majesty?" She gave him no time to think.

Though Chen is the king's right-hand man, he did not really have to exchange greetings with them.

To be more exact, they were afraid of his sharp, brutal words when they approach him; hence, avoided him like the plague. There were people who try to butter up, but he immediately shuts them down.

"No, since only his majesty and others have things to discuss, I am just his advisor." He vaguely answered before quickly turning back into his regular domineering self. "If there really is business, we can talk through other means,"

Lily smiled kindly as if she could tell what he was implying and commented. "I see, well there's no need to pay any heed to them, accompanying me is better relaxation." ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

"Is that so?" He gave her questioning and an amused look.

"Yes! You can act however you want, and I won't mind! As long as there is food involved." ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

He stared at her for a moment before laughing again. "I guess I need to buy a whole shop to give you then."

"I said stop smiling fool..." Lily blushed.

This made Chen wanted to laugh even more at her cute expression.

While the two were in their little world, the king and Anne finally decided to announce their engagement.

"Thank you for coming today for this special evening. As you all know, our country is has been peacefully prospering and growing. I finally have a great opportunity to say I've finally found the one for me." The king said as he looked at Anne lovingly, revealing a blissful face. "We would like to announce they we are officially engaged with the wedding rapidly approaching and I hope to receive your blessings today. Please do continue to enjoy today's banquet as we've prepared a lot."

Everyone cheerfully clapped and was screaming in joy. It was a peaceful, joyous atmosphere. Everyone was happy that the king was going to finally marry someone and hoped they would soon give birth to an heir.

Lily clapped as she stole small glances at Chen.

Though he looked like he could kill someone with his glare, she spotted a small happy smile today. His face show signs of sincerity, but loneliness was inevitably visible. It looked as if the world around him was now collapsing piece by piece.

Life is indeed cruel to have such a nice man go through such heartache.

Lily decided to stick close to him and accompany him as much as she could today.