sᴇᴄᴏɴᴅ.

He raised a brow after releasing an arrow towards the target with his crossbow, feeling a little disappointed that he didn't get the bull's eye. He already mastered using a longbow and now, he decided to use a crossbow. He placed it down the wooden table and his archer and his personal servant ran towards him to help him take the remaining equipment off his body. He looked at the side and saw the Grand Duke walking towards his direction. He gave him a smile as he brushed his long hair to the back. 

"You're done with your marksmanship today, My Prince?" The younger one asked and he nodded before proceeding to the solar. 

"What brings you here, Lord Kazuma?" The Prince asked. He instructed his servant to go to the wine cellar and bring them a bottle of fine wine. 

"There will be a banquet this Friday night. Will you attend? I'm forcing you to attend this time. You will not regret." Kazuma smiled at him. He shook his head and his servant arrived with the wine bottle. 

"I will not attend. I have things to do and I have no time to socialize with people." He gestured to his servant to leave already after opening the wine bottle. 

"You need to socialize, Sho. I'm telling this to you as your friend. You can't just always isolate yourself. You're the next in line. You will be the next King." Kazuma started to nag him and instead, he gave him a wine glass. 

"Fine. I'll attend this time but don't expect me to socialize with everyone." The younger one grinned widely when he finally accepted his invitation. He offered a toast and got their glasses clinking before drinking the wine. 

"The Duchess of the Cheikh family and the Countess of the Jung family will attend." Kazuma stared at his wine glass when he mentioned them. 

"Lady Lauren and Lady Gia? I heard that Lady Lauren is having a relationship with the Knight of the Hayashi family." Sho watched Kazuma's reaction and he gave him a mischievous smile when he raised his brow. 

"I know. Aren't you interested in Lady Lauren?" Kazuma asked and he shook his head. Why would he get interested with someone who is having a relationship? 

"I can only see them as friends. Nothing more. Also, why would I get interested in someone you adore since you were in your second year of studying?" He poured more wine in his glass and took a long sip from it. 

"How about Lady Fuyu?" It was his first time to hear that name, so his ears perked up and he gave him a look. 

"You will meet her at the banquet. I heard that a few Lords are head over heels for her." Kazuma continued. 

"From which family did she come from?" He asked and the younger one laughed, realizing that the Prince is interested in a lady whom he hasn't met yet. 

"You will find out when you attend the banquet. You will also find out why the Lords are coming for her." The Grand Duke finished his wine and stood up, patting the Prince's shoulder before leaving. 

It is only Wednesday afternoon and the banquet will be held this Friday night. That's more than two days away and Kazuma left him desperate to know who that Lady is. Perhaps, he can ask the servants if they know who she is. He emptied his wine glass and followed Kazuma out of the solar. He saw the steward talking to a servant, so he decided to call his attention and ask him. 

"Yes, My Prince? Do you need us to do something?" The steward asked and he quickly shook his head. 

"I just want to ask something. The Grand Duke mentioned a Lady to me. Perhaps you know a Lady named Fuyu?" He asked and his eyes narrowed when the steward shook his head slowly. 

"I apologize, my Prince. I have no idea who Lady Fuyu is." The steward answered and he gave him a suspicious look, knowing that he is obviously avoiding telling him the truth. 

"I hope you're telling me the truth." He reminded him before proceeding to the hall to ask the King about the banquet. 

Meanwhile at the archduchy of the Aoyama family, the older one between the twins has been staying in his bedchamber for the whole day already as he is occupied with his notes about botany. He accumulated herbs from various regions when he traveled for a week. He was too concentrated on writing his observations on the parchment when the door went open. He took his spectacles off when he heard his younger twin's voice. 

"I can't entertain you for too long, Riku. Do you mind telling it to me real quick?" He raised his brows as he placed the quill pen back to the ink bottle. 

"We are invited to the banquet this Friday night." Riku, the younger twin said and he gave the invitation to him. 

"Lady Gia will attend. Our steward confirmed it to me a while ago." He continued and instead of reading the invitation, Reiki gave it back to him. 

"Then, that's settled. We will attend as well." He simply answered and Riku shrugged his shoulders before leaving his twin alone.