Chapter 207: The Royal Banquet and Martin’s Ease

"The Queen invited me to a banquet?" Martin looked at Diana with a hint of confusion. "Why?"

"Probably as a gesture of goodwill. After all, you've saved the royal family's reputation," Diana said with a smile.

"Me? Saved the royal family's reputation? Diana, you can't be serious," Martin said, pointing to himself with an incredulous look.

"I'm not joking. If I had died, the royal family's reputation would have taken a massive hit. This whole thing must have been orchestrated by Charles or Camilla. Her Majesty would never be so foolish. If she wanted me dead, it would've been on a hospital bed, not in a car crash!"

Diana shook her head with a wry smile. "Who knows? Maybe Her Majesty really did have that thought. Even though I divorced Charles, as the former princess, my every action still reflects on the royal family's image."

"Charles hates me, and the Queen is wary of me, but thanks to your meddling, they probably can't touch me anymore."

"Ha! I wonder what Her Majesty thinks of you now—does she dislike you, or outright loathe you?"

"Couldn't it be admiration?" Martin grinned cheekily.

"Impossible!"

Having spent 15 years as a royal daughter-in-law, Diana couldn't claim to fully understand the Queen's facade but had seen through enough of it.

Her former mother-in-law was nothing like the kind and gentle persona she presented to the public.

"Anything is possible," Martin replied, brimming with confidence.

Diana chuckled. "Alright, alright. Anything is possible. Everyone loves Martin. Happy?"

"Clearly, you underestimate my charm, woman. Prepare to be chastised!"

Martin lunged forward, playfully tackling her.

Two evenings later.

Martin arrived at Buckingham Palace.

This was a small, private banquet. Though modest in scale, it was clear from the arrangements that it held importance.

Besides Queen Elizabeth II, Diana also attended—not as the former princess, but as the daughter of Earl Spencer. Diana's parents, Prince Charles, and the young Princes William and Harry were also present. However, Charles's current paramour, Camilla, was notably absent.

"Your Majesty, it's an honor to meet you."

Martin greeted the Queen with a perfect English gentleman's bow.

The Queen's eyes lit up. She had assumed that Martin, having grown up across the Channel, wouldn't know such formalities. Yet, his gesture was so impeccable that even a royal etiquette officer would be hard-pressed to find fault.

This young man clearly has a deep appreciation for British culture, she thought to herself.

Unbeknownst to her, Martin was simply a quick learner. With his innate charm as a cambion, any action he performed exuded grace and elegance.

"Oh-ho, Mr. Myers, no need to be so formal. Come closer. Let me have a good look at you."

The Queen, her first impression of Martin overwhelmingly positive, beckoned him over. She examined him like a doting grandmother.

The young man before her was dressed in a tailored black suit that accentuated his tall, lean physique. His neatly combed brown hair, handsome features, deep-set eyes, and gentle smile exuded warmth and approachability.

Thinking about how her foolish son had nearly gotten this charming young man killed filled the Queen with a rare pang of guilt.

"What a fine young man, and so accomplished at such a young age. No wonder you've achieved so much already," she said.

Martin smiled modestly. "Your Majesty flatters me. Please accept this small gift."

He handed over an exquisitely wrapped box. The chief of royal security stepped forward to receive it, already aware it contained books.

Before entering Buckingham Palace, every item had been subjected to rigorous inspection—both physical and X-ray scans.

Martin showed no sign of nerves and conversed with the Queen easily.

As their conversation flowed, the Queen found herself astonished by Martin's breadth of knowledge. Whether the topic was literature, history, politics, or economics, the boy spoke with remarkable insight.

What truly delighted the Queen was Martin's relaxed demeanor. Unlike her own grandchildren, who often appeared stiff and cautious around her, Martin made her feel genuinely at ease.

Since the death of her husband, Elizabeth had often felt lonely. Her status created a barrier that even her family struggled to bridge.

But this boy, unaffected by her title, brought a refreshing warmth. For a brief moment, she savored the feeling of familial affection again.

Diana observed all this with amusement. Martin had a knack for charming people, and tonight, the Queen was laughing more than Diana had ever seen before. In contrast, her own sons seemed painfully lacking in this regard.

The atmosphere only shifted when the banquet officially began—and Prince Charles finally appeared.

The moment Charles entered, the room's warmth turned icy. Diana refused to acknowledge him, and even William and Harry avoided their father.

Martin glanced at Charles briefly but showed no intention of greeting the heir to the throne.

The Queen sighed internally. Diana must have pieced things together, she thought. Still, as the Queen and Charles's mother, she had to mediate. The Spencer family remained a vital ally to the monarchy.

Suppressing her annoyance, the Queen tapped the left side of the dining table. She gestured for Diana, William, Harry, and Martin to sit near her. Charles was expected to sit on her right, a place of honor.

However, before he could take his seat, the Queen spoke.

"Charles, don't sit just yet. Don't you have something to say to Diana?"

Charles froze, then stiffly muttered, "I apologize, Diana. I should have ensured your safety. This won't happen again."

Diana ignored him, her gaze fixed on her plate.

"Not sincere enough. Say it again," the Queen demanded coldly.

Charles clenched his jaw in frustration but ultimately repeated himself.

"Still not sincere. Again!"

Even in the presence of an outsider like Martin, the Queen was ruthless in reprimanding her son. At that moment, Martin truly grasped the iron will behind the Queen's seemingly gentle exterior.

Charles repeated his apology nearly ten times before Diana finally spoke.

"I accept your apology, Charles. However—"

She turned to the Queen and said, "I hope Charles will stop interfering in my life from now on."

The Queen nodded with a faint smile before turning to her son. "Can you promise that?"

"Yes, Mother."

"Good. Let's eat."

Though the matter was settled for Diana, Martin wasn't ready to let it go.

Discreetly, he made a subtle gesture beneath the table. A wisp of magic silently entered Charles's body.

It wouldn't harm him but would curse him with persistent migraines for decades.

After all, what's worse than death? A lifetime of suffering, of course.

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧