Estella sat on a bench, elegant but face wavering. She seemed spaced out, then Lawrence waved his hand at Estella, but she failed to perceive it. Lawrence sighed. He walked towards her, then just as soon as he was near her, she went back to reality.
"Lawrence!" she gasped. "You're back!" she stood and scanned the young lad.
"Mum. What are you looking for?" Lawrence giggled.
Estella abruptly retreated her hands, "Oh, oh. Nothing..., nothing, dear." she answered, eyes faltering. Then straightened her body, she gazed directly at Lawrence's eyes and asked, "How was the talk with his majesty?" her eyes filled with curiosity.
Lawrence sighed, then smiled. "His majesty will prepare my gifts. And added to give me a replica of some sort-of books," he said. "I ate, spoke with him, and was ordered to enjoy the banquet. That was it." Lawrence replied.
Estella's eyes slumped into disappointment. "I see," she said.
Lawrence laughed. "Shall we go attend the banquet, Mum?"
Estella sighed and cheered. "Yes, let's."
"Oh, by the way, you should call me Nanny or Estella, your highness. You know why, right?" Estella asked, her eyes watery.
"Yes, Mum. I would have no problem calling you Estella, for it is the name of my mother who raised me." Lawrence replied.
Estella blushed, hugging Lawrence. "Sweet child! I love you very much!" she kissed the cheek of Lawrence.
"Mum, people will see." Lawrence laughed.
"Now, you're embarrassed?" Estella joked. "But, you're right. Let us go to your banquet, shall we?" Estella lent her hand to Lawrence.
"Yes, Estella," Lawrence said, cheers in his tone.
The two advanced back to the path, arriving where the stairs were, where a servant met them. The man ushered the two down the stairs and towards the lively hallways.
Estella thanked the man and continued forth towards the celebration. New faces had arrived, greeting Lawrence. Each received a bow and thanks from Lawrence.
Then, Estella told Lawrence to wander around. There was a section in the celebration filled with children. They were laughing and cheering. Not all were kids the age of Lawrence, some in their adolescence. Lawrence smiled at Estella and agreed.
'I would have preferred to chat with an old man than to play with kids. But the sight of the luxurious foods could not deny my attention.' he laughed in his thoughts.
Then a kid stopped his way, "Lawrence." the kid spoke. He was Victor, half-sibling of Lawrence. A child of Evangeline, ever so vicious. "Tch." he clicked his tongue then walked away. Lawrence stood, bewildered. 'Good day, lad.' he laughed in his thoughts.
He shrugged, then ventured his eyes throughout the room. He was still the center of attention. Although some children had unique looks, like natural-colored hair. It was strange in Lawrence's eyes, for as Fitz, he saw not many with colorful hair. 'But can I judge the appearance of the citizens here as similar to my world, no? I cannot.' he would say.
He saw Estella conversing with nobles, often taking peeks at him. He smiled at the concern of his Mum. Then when he returned his gaze from Estella, a young man, confident, with a smile on his face, approached Lawrence.
"Brother," he called out. Lawrence knew him because of Estella. Luca Ambrose, son of Edith. He didn't inherit his father's name for some reason, but why? Estella didn't even know.
"Your highness," Lawrence called.
"It's nice to meet you, Lawrence," Luca replied.
Lawrence hesitated, then answered. "It is my greatest pleasure, too, your highness."
"Please, call me Luca. If you prefer, we are, after all, with the same title," he answered. Was it skeptical? No? Or was it really to make Lawrence feel inferior?
Lawrence remained smiling, "Luca, then. Thank you for being here, Luca."
Luca's expression blanked. Then he smiled, almost grinning. "If it weren't for Father's invitation, I wouldn't have come." there it was, the insult.
Lawrence remained undaunted, "Yes," he replied, "I had thanked Father earlier in his office for the grand celebration." he countered, or so it seems. Although, he didn't mean it as a counterattack. He spoke of the truth.
Luca's face turned red, then left. Strange one, he was. Lawrence didn't mind him and continued forth towards the food. "Treats." he smiled at his statement. His grin widened as he ate the delicious sweets.
Lawrence thought he could get the peace he wanted before another came to snatch his attention away from his delicious treats. "Bwother...," it was a voice pleading for attention.
Lawrence flinched and shifted his gaze at the little girl, not so much height difference, and saw a face that he feared so much. The appearance of a child, gleaming of innocence. She, he knew. Grace, she was. As soon as the little girl saw his older brother's face shifted to hers, she smiled widely and handed her hand.
Lawrence stood, bamboozled. The little girl frowns, "You are supposed to shake it, brother!" she said, with her fierce-little-one voice, as she took the hand of Lawrence onto hers. Her frowned shifted to a wide smile. "There," she spoke.
Simpleton.
"I'm Grace Evelynne Da Ville Sage. Eweven months old!" she introduced herself, quite charmingly and strong. Her presence, if not passed Lawrence's, equalled his.
Instead of shaking Grace's hands, he switched them, kissed the young lady's hand, then he lifted his sight, slightly smiling. "Lawrence Xavier Kingsley. It's my very pleasure to meet you, Evelynne."
Those who watched were left dumbfounded. The knights in the corners were grinning. The servants smiled, Estella shocked. Grace smiled widely and took the arm of Lawrence. "I'll call you Xavi!" she remarked. "Let's go play!"
The standard etiquette for introductions was that men first introduce themselves to the ladies bowing to kiss their hands. But men shook other men's hands. And ladies giggled with the other ladies. What Evelynne did was for a man, but Lawrence fixed them smoothly. That was the reason behind the shock and bewildered faces among the crowd.
"Sure?" Lawrence replied at the excited lady. He looked at Estella, who was now giggling and giving a thumbs up to Lawrence. He sighed.
He was 'dragged' across the other table to meet Evelynne's other friends. "Chantelle, Spence, Eleonora, Clarence, this is Lawrence. My older brother!" she introduced. Spence and Eleonora were the children of both Evangeline and Edith. Lawrence thought the other kids were some other wealthy children.
A young lady smiled at Lawrence, "Chantelle Penelope Mavis."
"Eleonora Calliope Ivy Ambrose."
"Spence Lucius Lovewell." his brother said with a bitter voice, not bothering to face Lawrence.
Then the last eager kid spoke, "Clarence Leo Asquith, Heya!"
Lawrence forced a smile, "Elijah Lawrence Xavier Kingsley Royale Sage. Nice to meet you all." he said.
Spence immediately wandered his gaze elsewhere to avoid Lawrence's and Evelynne's. Chantelle smiled remained on her face.
Eleonora seemed flustered or shy. And Clarence was a little cheeky and energetic. They spoke to each other for some time then Clarence's birthday came to the topic.
"My birthday will be tomorrow! Can you come? Can you?" Clarence, his eyes were gleaming.
Lawrence smiled, "I could try," he answered. Clarence started jumping in excitement.
"How about my party?" Grace interrupted, her pouting face stared at Lawrence.
"I will also try, Grace," Lawrence spoke, gentle.
Grace's pouty face turned to happiness. She applauded and spoke, "You will? Really?" she squeezed her excitement. "Yay! I will tell mommy!" she said.
"You should," Lawrence replied. 'She should, indeed.'
Clarence faced Grace, "Can we?"
Grace gave a smile at him, "Yes! All my friends will come!" her gleaming face showed her enthusiasm and excitement.
'She's cute.' Lawrence smiled. 'I never had a sister before. Maybe I can now.' he thought.