That evening, at the banquet, Ella sat nervously, eyes fixed on the entrance as she waited for Alex. And then, she saw him.
Ella: "Alex…"
With the same detached expression as always, Alex finally appeared. He seemed distracted, glancing elsewhere, but his appearance was completely different tonight.
He wore a long blue suit with matching trousers. Beneath it, a silk white shirt and a perfectly tied bow tie. He almost looked like the son of some noble family. When he entered the grand hall, he noticed Ella staring at him in silence.
He gave her a look and said:
Alex: "You could at least say something."
Ella blinked, then blurted out:
Ella: "Your outfit… you look like a noble's son."
Alex: "Seriously? I don't know the first thing about this stuff. Judith forced me into it. Anyway, you look amazing yourself—like a fairytale princess."
Ella: "Let's not get carried away. And… who's Judith?"
Alex: "Beats me. She showed up the day after I got here, started handling everything, and keeps asking me what to do all the time."
Ella paused for a moment, then said:
Ella: "Hmm… Either way, it doesn't suit you. I prefer the usual you."
Alex glanced down at his clothes, frowning.
Alex: "But didn't you just say I looked noble in this?"
Ella chuckled softly.
Ella: "Exactly. Nobility just doesn't fit you. You'd almost be too handsome. Come on, let's not stay off by ourselves."
Her eyes swept the room.
Ella: "There—Arthur and Lady Iris."
Arthur had gone with just a plain white shirt, a bow tie, and black trousers. Nothing fancy at all.
Iris: "Arthur, did you even look at yourself before coming? This is a royal banquet."
Arthur: "I'm trying not to stand out."
A waiter passed with glasses of wine. Iris took two, handed one to Arthur, and smirked.
Iris: "Even so, every girl here is staring at you. Your beauty must be a divine miracle."
Arthur: "You're one to talk. Your outfit is just as simple."
Iris wore a modest green dress.
Iris: "I'm a priestess."
Arthur: "Right… and yet, isn't wine considered a symbol of debauchery in your church?"
Iris: "Of course not! How do you think we'd survive otherwise?"
Arthur: "Impossible to figure you out…"
At that moment, Ella and Alex joined them.
Ella: "Good evening, Lady Iris, Arthur. How are you?"
Alex, meanwhile, was lost in thought.
(Blinding chandeliers, golden silverware, endless platters of food, nobles in priceless clothes… Yeah. No doubt about it. A real royal banquet.)
Arthur: "Alex, try paying attention to the people around you."
Alex: "Sorry, I drifted off."
Just then, a voice rang out:
"Attention, the royal family will now make their entrance!"
The entire hall froze and turned toward the far doors.
Alex (thinking): (The royal family… and most of all, Princess Tanya.)
The family entered, and the crowd bowed deeply.
Alex (thinking): (All right, Your Majesty… let's finally see what the heir to the throne looks like.)
King: "Raise your heads, my dear subjects."
Everyone straightened. Alex caught his first glimpse of her and whispered:
Alex: "…She's beautiful."
From across the hall, Princess Tanya noticed his gaze and allowed herself a faint smile.
Alex (thinking): (I always knew the castle was enormous. That's why I never set foot on the royal grounds. But seriously… someone this enchanting lives here? Long golden hair, eyes as blue as the sky, delicate yet gentle features, flawless white skin… and she's wearing a sleeveless white gown glittering with diamonds. I can hardly believe my eyes.)
Iris, standing next to him, leaned in.
Iris: "Don't stare too hard. She'll notice."
Ella: "She's breathtaking, yes… but listen to Lady Iris, Alex."
Alex: "What's the big deal? I thought you two were friends."
Ella glanced at him.
Ella: "You're right. Tanya is probably my best friend."
Alex: "Then what's the problem?"
Iris: "Let's just say Ella avoids her like the plague."
Alex: "She's that dangerous?"
Ella: "Of course not. Don't go imagining things. She's just… intense."
Alex (thinking): (Intense, huh?)
He looked back to where Tanya had been—only to find she was gone. Instead, a younger girl with similar features was standing there.
Alex (thinking): (Oh right, the princess has a younger sister—Melty, if I remember correctly. But where did Tanya go?)
Suddenly, Ella shivered. Instinctively, Alex turned toward her. And then—bam.
Hands rested on Ella's shoulders. With a look that screamed I'm doomed, she turned her head to see Tanya smiling at her.
Tanya: "It's been too long, my dear Ella."
Ella: "Tanya, you know you can't do this."
Tanya: "Forget the formalities. Tell me instead—why haven't you visited me in so long? And who's this boy stealing all your attention? I might get jealous."
Iris: "What about me? No greeting for your teacher?"
Tanya let go of Ella, giving Iris a playful grin.
Tanya: "You're right. So then, are you enjoying yourselves, dear guests of the hero's party?"
Arthur: "Of course, Princess. You needn't worry."
A sly smile curved Tanya's lips.
Tanya: "Arthur, you don't have to be so stiff. But tell me… is this Alex?"
Arthur: "Yes, that's him."
Tanya stepped closer, her eyes sparkling.
Tanya: "First you stare at me, then you steal my precious Ella's attention… and worst of all, you dare to be handsome. I can already tell—we're going to get along just fine."
Alex (thinking): (No need for more signs—I'll never completely figure her out.)
Just then, a guard approached, whispering something in Tanya's ear. She turned to the group with a polite smile.
Tanya: "Forgive me, I must take my leave. Enjoy the evening. But you, Ella—we still have things to discuss."
And with that, she departed.
Ella (thinking): (She always sends chills down my spine…)
Alex: "Still, she's fascinating. I think I understand now how you two ended up best friends."
Ella: "What do you mean?"
Alex: "It's obvious she cares about you."
Meanwhile, somewhere in the crowd, someone else was smiling to themselves.
???: "This is going to be fun… Alex Andreas."
END OF CHAPTER
NEXT CHAPTER: The Royal Banquet (The Library of OLDEN and the Secrets of the World)