The Autumn Banquet (2)

Just as her hand reached out to grab a piece of cake, a fan smacked it back. Frowning, she looked up to see Athia glaring at her disapprovingly.

"It's not polite to eat before the Emperor arrives. Now that you are part of the Silcia family, mind your manners."

Iris glanced at her and looked away, her gaze becoming aloof and distant once again. She got up from there and went to find another seat, away from Athia.

Very soon, the Emperor and the princes arrived at the banquet, with the exception of Leon, who was reported to be sick.

Iris remembered that around this time, Leon was trying to rope in the Minister of Foreign Affairs to his side. He was too busy to come here.

It was better he didn't come, for now.

After the Emperor settled down, the banquet started in full heat.

Dancers from all over the country were invited, their every move exquisite and beautiful. The musicians and court entertainers all sang and played the musical instruments they were best at, as the nobles socialized and prattled on.

Anyone who came to talk to Iris, looked at her in absolute contempt and disgust, as if she was born from a sloth.

She didn't mind them, it was something she had long gotten used to in her two lifetimes. Just that, these noble girls really were something, how could a single phrase from their mouth contain so many underlying meanings? Just a simple, "how's you're life in the manor?" could mean "how's you're life as a useless country bumpkin in the manor?"

She didn't like this flimsy way of talking one bit. If one has to speak, why not be straightforward about it? Why cut so many corners just to insult somebody?

She swiftly moved towards the table of food once more, feeling that she could only talk to her delicious food now.

As she was eating her favorite parfait, she suddenly felt a gaze on her, making her hair stand up. She followed her instinct towards the gaze, but far into the distance, no-one was looking at her.

She shrugged and turned around, but just as she did, her head collided with something hard.

"!!?"

Iris looked, surprised, at the man's chest before her eyes, the exquisite robe and the faint smell of roses assaulted her nose.

Before she cold stop staring, her chin was grabbed and tilted upwards. Her eyes met a pair of blood-red ones. Those eyes were like a whirlpool, sucking one's soul out.

When Iris saw Azura, her pupils abruptly constricted. She had not once seen him coming towards her, and in a matter of split seconds, he was in front of her.

Furthermore, she kept feeling that those eyes on her back were his as well.

Seeing her staring at him in shock, he curved his lips upwards, making her return to her senses. She immediately smacked his hand away from her chin and took two steps backwards. Then, without a word, she bowed to him in greeting,

"Greetings to Your Highness the Seventh Prince."

Not wanting to give him a chance to talk, she immediately tried to turn away and escape. She could already faintly feel the poisonous gazes of the noble girls in her vicinity.

But before she could move, the Eunuch sounded the drum and attracted everyone's attention. The Emperor had stood up from his seat.

As he came forward, the Eunuch loudly announced,

"Long Live The Emperor! May the glory of the heavens be unto us, the hunting expedition that was held a few days ago, many successes and many failures. As the heavens wish, may His Majesty announce the winner and successor of the last year's winner of the hunting competition!"

(A/N I'm sorry for the confusion, I'm more confused myself ＼(^-^)／)

Immediately, many of the noble's eyes shined in glee and anticipation towards the winner. There was an element of hope present in everyone's eyes, it shimmered and shined.

Yet one noble girl didn't have the element of hope. Instead of that, there was absolute clarity present in her eyes, as if she knew she would win for sure. This was none other than Aria.

"My, Miss Aria, You'll surely win this time too!"

"Wow, I'm so envious! I wish I were a talented as you."

"Nonsense, how could you compare to my sister Aria? I'm sure even the Seventh Prince would acknowledge her talents!"

"Oh you all, stop it!" Aria feigned shyness and glared at the girls. Her gaze slightly drifted towards the said seventh prince. She couldn't help but smile slightly.

All her moves were seen by Iris. Her eyes glistened under the lights, they contained pure mockery and happiness in crushing the hopes and dreams of Aria. She chuckled as she gazed at Aria non-stop, not wanting to miss a single one of her expressions. Her heart beat faster in excitement, as she smiled sadistically.

Azura heard her chuckle in front of him, looking between Iris and Aria. He could faintly tell what was going on and why she went into the forbidden zone during the competition.

So it was for this.

Seeing her show an expression so similar to his own, Azura smiled even more, his eyes becoming darker and darker as a light flashed through them.

Ah, he couldn't wait anymore.

The Emperor glanced at the crowd, his gaze stopping over Azura, who was standing very close to Iris, smiling as well. He couldn't help but double take at Iris, the girl standing so extremely close to his son, who never let anyone come near.

Furthermore, his son wasn't doing anything about her, instead focused all his attention on her, shocking him a bit.

Realizing that he had gone off track, he raised his head and spoke loudly,