{11} Empresses Banquet! [2]

Walking into the palace, Leon was met with the sight of multiple grand decorations. From high-class silk red carpets, to even a specially designed fountain in the corner that was shaped in a form of the Empress herself. It was evident, the Empress had truly gone all out with spending the budget!

[I have to admit she does know how to throw a party acceptable for royalty!] Leon smirked at the Empress's attempt to heighten her social standing through the use of money.

Carrying on, Leon made his way to the group of nobles that had already arrived. Everyone was mainly conversing around the dance floor as the royal band had already started playing.

Of course, nobody would be stupid enough to dance before the Empress and Emperor had arrived and took to the dance floor. That was a known rule set for these occasions and nobles no matter the rank, had to follow to distinguish the difference in social status. Someone who went against this, even by accident, would be punished for undermining the royal family.

Truthfully, Leon thought this rule was stupid since it always made it awkward for the royal family only causing more stress and a weird atmosphere before the main character had taken to the floor. It also meant that the royal family couldn't be late, even if they weren't in the mood. Which was the real reason Leon didn't take a liking to the rule.

Scanning the crowd of nobles and seeing that his sister was still yet to arrive, Leon was slightly upset but he didn't show it outwardly. As even though he was yet to join in conversation with the nobles he knew, he was already surely being watched for any possible mistake.

He was a Prince after all, even if it he was the Prince with the weakest standing amongst the three... That meant nobles could always try and use him to push forward their plans and agendas.

[Hmmm, let's see shall I begin with step two of my plans since I can't find my sister?]

Ren was following Leon, acting as his attendee for the banquet, a privilege for royals. However, it also meant that Ren had to watch the way he acted in front of everyone and he couldn't come across as the same Ren that he normally showed. Instead, he had to activate Butler/Attendee mode.

Pretty much Leon could expect Ren to not start a conversation with him for the rest of the night!

With nothing else to do, he began his search for a certain individual. [The Empress and my father will show up soon, so I should probably get this step over and done with, or at least make an impression.]

What Leon was referring to was his next step, which was one of his goals for the banquet tonight. He had three main goals. The first was to meet with the individual he was searching for, Earl Louis Coventry. The two other immediate goals he had to achieve by the end of the night was to show off his attire and make it obvious that it came from a different boutique to others, of course without giving the situation with Cecily away. And for the third goal, that was to get his father's attention somehow.

So why did he want to meet this Louis Coventry?

After all, he was just a noble and a lower Earl at that. Normally for someone like Leon, someone who was at the top of the food chain when it came to social rank, he wouldn't have to bother with a pitiful Earl, if it wasn't important.

However, Leon's mindset was different to everyone else's. Yes, he was currently 13 but he still had the mental capacity and experience of a close to 29-year-old. And after thinking over the past couple of days when he wasn't busy training, he needed someone to handle his affairs in the capital privately.

Someone that wouldn't be involved with either the Empress or his second brother yet still very much capable. And that's how he came up with Louis Coventry.

Earl Louis Coventry was a young man of age 19, he had just taken over his estate after returning from the academy last year. Unfortunately, his situation was direr. When he was 16, his mother and father had both died in an accident. Leaving the young Louis alone without help.

Some trusted advisors stayed loyal but many servants took valuables and money from the manor and left without a word. Leaving Louis desperately poor and unable to pay off his family debts. Without any other choice and with guidance he somehow has come up with enough money to scrape by. Mainly from his talent as a merchant but still, his circumstances are rough.

Without Leon's help, his future is hit or miss. And because of that, there are many that are willing to give him a young man, help. Instead, they would rather wait and take what little he has left when he goes completely bankrupt.

****

Leon after a minute or so found his target and smiled brightly. [Well, shall I go say hello!]

Approaching the Earl, he looked at the young man and could see that he had a solid psychic, evident that he had completed his knight's training to some extent. Earl Louis Coventry was a handsome man, with brown azure hair and blue eyes. He had a shaved face and a sharp jawline. It was clear he would have many suitors in the coming future.

"Hello, do you mind if I join in the fun conversation!" Leon spoke joyfully, to catch the attention of the few nobles in the huddle.

Another Earl was the first to reply as he smiled brightly at the young prince like he had seen his favourite chew toy. Greed visible in his eyes, "My of course youngest prince, If you wish to speak to someone of our lowly status, don't let us stop you!"

Leon just acted clueless to his demeanour like a simple child in fact. Choosing to greet everyone in the circle and make some small talk.

Earl Louis was the only one that didn't bother to make 'friends' with the young prince as he keep his aloof expression the entire time. Seeing this Leon was even more pleased with his choice of plan. And after a while, he got the chance to speak to the Earl on a one to one.

"I believe you are Earl Louis Conventry, am I right?" Leon spoke calmly as he made eye contact with Louis.

"That is me indeed, youngest prince." The Earl nodded gently before continuing, "It's somewhat surprising, to say the least, that you know my name in fact. I'm just a pitiful Earl that shouldn't concern someone like you!"

[This guy is so straightforward, haha, I like it!] Leon couldn't help but smile slightly at the refreshingness that the Earl held.

A start contrast to normal nobles at these banquets. "Pitiful?" He replied as he shook his head, to express he disagreed.

"I believe you to be much more than pitiful!"

Louis Coventry hearing the youngest prince's words that had snuck up on him out of the blue grew serious. He used the excuse of needing a fill on his drink to guide the young prince away from the huddle.

"I need a refill, would you care to join me, young prince?"

"Oh they are serving drinks, great I am feeling rather parched!" Leon promptly replied.

They walked for a second or two until they reached a table away from the rest of any eavesdroppers and only then did the Earl speak again.

"It seems the youngest prince isn't what the rumours claim to be?" He asked trying to gain some valuable information.

"Hmmm, well something like that. I am getting older so it could just be the young prince maturing." Leon brushed the comment to the side as he moved away from the topic effectively.

Seeing his tactfulness, the Earl smiled at the young Leon. "So tell me, youngest prince, I'm guessing you didn't approach me on purpose just to talk?"

"Hehe, what if I did, what If I didn't. Would you be willing to hear this prince out?" Leon questioned playfully.

"Well if this Earl can be of use to the prince, even if I'm currently lacking then, of course, I will gladly listen!" The Earl was serious in his reply, making it clear he would give whatever Leon said some good thought.

"Wonderful, well Earl Louis Conventry, what do you say to becoming my business partner!"

Leon didn't beat around the bush, he didn't have time in these sorts of situations to take all day acting nice before he got to the juicy bits. There were prying eyes everywhere and the last thing he wanted was someone picking up on his conversation with the Earl.

"Business partners?" The Earl muttered out loud in shock. He had truly not expected this from the youngest prince.