SWEETER THE SECOND TIME AROUND?

[FASCINATING.]

Sonata knew it wasn't wise to make enemies of the young ladies who would one day rule high society.

But, to be honest, she didn't care.

The young ladies were too 'cute' to ignore, after all.

[If these kids don't grow up and rule high society with this horrible mindset, then this kingdom is doomed.]

"Is that a threat, Lady Florin?"

"How dare you threaten us when you're nothing but a daughter of lowly knights–"

"Those "lowly knights" you speak of sacrificed their lives for the sake of this godforsaken kingdom," Sonata said, smiling. "While those "lowly knights" were dying on the battlefield, you and your parents were sleeping peacefully in the comfort of your own homes."

"It's their job to fight for the kingdom!"

"And the compensation you received after your parents died came from the money that the nobles give to the throne."

"For someone who mooches off her dead parents' legacy, you sure do talk a lot, Lady Florin."

"And for someone who doesn't know a thing, you sure sound confident, Lady Clarke."

The lady she mentioned looked shocked that Sonata actually knew her name. But it wasn't only Lady Clarke's name that she knew about.

[I'm actually more familiar with their fathers who frequent the Red-light District.]

"The same thing goes for you: Lady Webster, Lady Scott, and Lady Alexis," Sonata said, maintaining her "friendly" smile. "His Majesty would be sad to hear what you have to say about the orphans of war like myself." Her gaze went past the young ladies. "What should we do, Your Majesty? There are people who look down on the death of my parents just because my poor Mother and Father were on the kingdom's payroll."

"Ah, my heart breaks on your behalf, Lady Sonata."

The young ladies who suddenly turned pale quickly pulled themselves together. Then they turned around and bowed their heads deeply towards the king.

Of course, Sonata and the others around her also paid the same respect to His Majesty.

"Greetings to the Divine Eagle that soars through the Sky, Your Majesty the King of the mighty Zerua Kingdom."

[The greeting sounds so old-fashioned.]

"You may all raise your heads now, ladies and gentlemen."

And everyone did.

Of course, none of them dared to look at the king in the eye.

Except for Sonata who exchanged polite smiles with the king.

Ah, His Majesty looked so regal in his red uniform adorned with golden ornaments and matching red cape.

Since it was a formal occasion, the king even wore his golden crown.

[Of course, the king didn't come alone.]

Sonata politely nodded to Grand Duke Daniel Hexford– who looked dashing in his black and silver attire– and General Anton– who looked intimidating in his uniform as the general of the Soaring Eagle Order.

The grand duke and the general stood behind the king.

[As expected, the king is really spontaneous.]

In formal events such as the banquet, it was common etiquette for the entire Royal Family to arrive last.

But King Seymour was different.

[His Majesty knows the 'fun' part of any banquet happens in the absence of the Royal Family, hence he would often sneak in and observe the surroundings unannounced.]

Sonata was aware of that, so she purposely picked a fight with the young ladies.

[I'm only the daughter of two dead war heroes, so how could I fight fairly against the young ladies who came from prestigious families?]

Hence, Sonata dragged the king into her little fight.

It was foul, but she'd like to think she was merely using everything she had at her disposal.

[And consider this as my petty revenge for blackmailing me, Your Majesty.]

"I believe it's my duty to clear up the misunderstanding regarding Lady Sonata. It has something to do with tonight's banquet anyway," King Seymour announced cheerfully, clapping his hands together. "Shall we officially begin the celebration?"

Sonata smiled and nodded politely.

[This king really does everything for fun.]

***

SONATA almost fell asleep while listening to the king give his heartfelt speech while reminiscing about the last war that happened four years ago.

The banquet started on time, but she was yet to see Diether.

[Representatives of the Avari Temple rarely attend a royal banquet, but Lord Diether is always required to attend banquets hosted by the king as a Huxford.]

Sonata already saw Grand Duchess Eleanor.

When the Royal Family took the stage (aka the balcony of the grand hall's second floor), Grand Duke Daniel Huxford immediately followed his wife like a puppy.

[His Grace is so in love with the Grand Duchess I almost feel bad for him.]

After all, it was painfully obvious that the Grand Duchess hated the Grand Duke.

Anyway, the Royal Family was incomplete once again.

While the king was giving his speech, standing right behind the railings, his children sat on their fancy seats behind.

Prince Jericho and Princess Mikaela were there.

But the queen was once again absent from a royal function.

[Is the queen really sick?]

"Tonight we honor the sacrifice of the war heroes who gave up their precious lives for the sake of peace," King Seymour said. "Sir Harris and Dame Maurice Florin were the two knights who contributed the most to ending the war four years ago. Hence, Lady Sonata Florin– their only daughter– was supposed to receive huge compensation for losing her parents at war. However, Lady Sonata Florin turned it down. The young lady asked the compensation to be donated to the orphanage built for the orphans of war– under her parents' name, at that."

Ah, that was right.

Sonata turned down the huge(?) amount of money that she was supposed to receive.

She didn't need the compensation as there were people who needed it more than she did.

"I admired Lady Sonata Florin's kind heart. But as the king, I just know that I have to do something for the selfless young lady."

Pfft.

Sonata had to control her expression even though she wanted to laugh sarcastically at the king's blatant lies.

[His Majesty only became 'nice' to me after he found out who I really am.]

"I told Lady Sonata Florin that I would grant her a wish as long as it doesn't go against the Royal Family, the Avari Temple, and the people of the kingdom."

It was true, but it was a part of Sonata's deal with the king and Grand Duke Hexford.

[The king is so good at lying.]

"Lady Sonata Florin then asked me to build a school where the less fortunate could receive free education."

Now the crowd was stirred.

The whispers around were getting louder, and it was clear that almost everyone in the hall was shocked.

"Hence, two years ago, I decided to build the first public school in the kingdom– and this school would be open for both boys and girls," King Seymour said. "Fortunately, Grand Duke Daniel Huxford saw the same vision as Lady Sonata Florin did. Hence, the Grand Duke decided to help fund the meaningful project without asking anything for in return."

Again, it was because of the deal Sonata made with the king and the Grand Duke.

"Soon, the 'School of Florin,' will open its door for the children of our kingdom who are in need of free education. The funding will come from the Royal Treasury and a few investors who don't wish to be named," King Seymour declared proudly. "Hence, I'd like to celebrate this important milestone of the kingdom with all of you tonight."

After the king ended his speech, the nobles in attendance began to clap one by one until everyone was already singing praises for the king's generosity.

Sonata also clapped her hands.

[It's the same everywhere, huh?]

***

"I BELIEVE education should be a right and not a privilege," Sonata started with her speech when the king asked her to say a few words. Hence, here she was now, standing on the podium right below the balcony where the present members of the Royal Family sat on their fancy seats. "As we all know, life isn't fair. Just being born a noble already gives you an advantage in life. However, I'd like to help the less fortunate get to the starting line of a brighter future by helping them receive free education. In the end, it's the kingdom that will benefit a lot from having more educated members of society. Hence, I'm grateful that His Majesty and Grand Duke Hexford turned my vision into reality."

She didn't expect that the first person to clap for her was Grand Duke Daniel Hexford.

Since the Grand Duke was the highest-ranked noble in the entire kingdom, the others followed suit whether they liked her speech or not.

She was ready to leave the stage when, suddenly, the door burst open.

Huh?

The Royal Family was already inside. Hence, no one should be allowed inside the grand hall anymore. Even the nobles around thought the same.

However, the loud buzz stopped when the last guest finally entered the grand hall.

[Lord Diether?]

Even if the commander was the king's nephew, it was still incredibly rude of him to arrive later than the direct members of the Royal Family.

Unless…

Sonata raised her head to take a peek at the king.

His Majesty was grinning ear to ear as if he was happy to see Diether.

[Ah, so this is planned.]

"Lady Florin."

Sonata was quite startled when Diether suddenly stood in front of her…

… then he got down on one knee while holding an open small velvet box with a stunning blue diamond ring inside.

[It's almost the same color as his eyes…]

"Lady Florin, let's do it right this time," Diether said, looking up at Sonata with a blank look on his face. "Will you marry me?"

Pfft.

[This man really fascinates me.]

Sonata smiled and offered her right hand to Diether. "Make sure to put the ring on my finger properly this time, my lord."