7 Banquet

"Vincent, could I come in?" The Queen called out on the other side of door.

Vincent slowly stood from his bed, dropping the book he had on the bed as he slowly opened the door. "Mother?, are you not meant to get ready for the banquet?" he allowed her in, swiftly closing the door.

"I needed to speak with you, can you spare a few minutes?" she looked serious.

"would I say no?" he tried to make light of the situation.

"Vincent, you know how whenever I feel something is wrong I'm nearly never wrong!" she paused thinking on her next words, "I have to be frank, something doesn't sit well with Amelia but your father is trying to be as hospitable as he can towards her" she finally said.

"who?" Vincent seemed confused.

"The princess of Tycan!, she arrived few hours ago" the Queen clarified.

"Oh!, her? I've seen her and by my little analysis, do not get on her bad side" he said.

"Have you spoken to her yet?" she anticipated his response.

"Thankfully not, she's like the others who use their title to oppress others" he cringed on the thought of eventually meeting her at the banquet, "could you believe she took one look at my door, thought it would be her Chambers and called it dreadful!"

"That's a first" Milana muttered. "Just be careful alright?, there are dangers lurking in the castle" she looked around his room, "It seems you are more cautious on how you put your egg in your room, that's good" she commended.

"Actually I put it in the-" he was cut off midsentence.

She held out her hand silencing him, "don't tell me, it's safer that way, the fewer who know, the better".

"Oh!, if you say so" he felt disheartened, he wanted this information to be their little secret.

"Cheer up, when it probably hatches then we would discuss what we could do with it, how about that?" she pulled on his cheeks.

"Cut that out mother!, I'm a grown man now" he struggled out of her grasp with a wide grin on his face, "I like the sound of that though".

"Alright then, now that's settled, you have to get ready for the banquet" she looked through his wardrobe searching for a suitable attire, "You could wear this" she pulled out a black royal court vest blazer with gold lining and matching black pants.

"I can pick my own clothing mother" he feigned annoyance folding his arms, but he still liked her choice, "but it's not bad, so I will wear it".

🎶🎶🎶

The sound of music could be heard in the hall, a lot of chatter by guests as they conversed. Prince Vincent reluctantly walked down the stairs towards the banquet.

His mother's mood lightened as she caught sight of him coming down the stairs, "Vincent!" she called as she moved towards him for a hug, drawing all attention to him.

"Mother!, you're embarrassing me" he stood frozen in her arms but later warmed up to her hug, returning the favor, "but I can't resist one your comfortable hugs".

"Now that my son's here, we could proceed with the feast, I want to use this platform to officially welcome princess Amelia to our kingdom" He raised his gold goblet.

They all chorused, "To the princess".

The princess smiled slightly, the seat which was left vacant for prince Vincent was beside princess Amelia. He reluctantly sat down, he flashed her a brief smile, "welcome to our kingdom" he politely said. She blushed, slightly looking downwards, "thank you" she replied timidly.

The prince studied her features, if he didn't hear her outburst earlier, he would have thought she was the shy type, but looking at her affectatious display, it made him more determined to avoid her.

He meticulously picked on his food as he could feel the princess gaze on him. "what do you like to do in your free time?" he turned in her direction, deciding to start a conversation to keep her from staring.

She wasn't prepared for the question as she simply stared at him batting her lashes, after some seconds she snapped out of her daydreaming, shaking her head, "I'm sorry for my behaviour, what did you say?"

"How about we discuss this later?, I need to take care of some issues, enjoy your meal!" frustrated, Prince Vincent stood up abruptly.

"Mother, Father, distinguished guests, I apologize for not being able to stay up till the end of this wonderful occasion but I have to take my leave as I need to rest. Goodnight" he bowed slightly before leaving.

The princess stood up, "I too need to rest" she said quickly following him. There was a brief murmur in the dining hall but the King raised his hand silencing them, "No worries you two, you may leave, Goodnight" he returned his gaze to the guests, "More wine for everyone" he clapped his hands signalling the cupbearers and servants to dispense more wine which earned a lot of laudit from the guest.