Chapter 253: Invited to the Banquet

The birds sang in the distance.

Standing in a pavilion of the castle’s central courtyard, Alec’s gaze fell on the oak tree where some birds were perching and chirping.

"Things have really changed for the better," spoke Vincent from behind. He was sitting on the pavilion’s table, gracefully holding a teacup with one hand. His lips curled up into a smile.

Looking at Alec’s calm face right now had put Vincent in awe. It was months ago when he last saw his friend, and he remembered his sullen and broken expression, which had been the same for the past five years. But now, it was different. Although he hadn’t seen Lauren yet, his reliable source was enough for him to believe that the woman had returned. Whatever means were used, he was glad she managed to survive.

"Don’t fret, I didn’t come here to visit you this time. I came here because there’s a royal banquet this evening, and I want to join. And well..." Vincent chuckled, "I have to admit, I also want to meet her." He tilted his head a bit and asked, "Why did you move the royal banquet, though? I thought it was supposed to be held yesterday night."

Alec remembered what happened yesterday. He spent most of his time in his office with Lauren by his side. He was too consumed by the moment that he didn’t want it to end, so he gave orders to postpone the banquet and hold it tonight instead. Bodeville’s royal family didn’t have any complaints, and even if they did, he still wouldn’t have changed his plans.

"I see you have a lot of time to spare," Alec remarked, glancing at Vincent in the corner of his eye. "But I have no problem of you being here. I think I can make use of it."

"Hmm..." Vincent’s eyes narrowed. "I can smell something brewing up in your mind. You want to use me again, Your Majesty?"

"What’s the use of you coming here if you cannot offer your assistance?"

Vincent’s jaw dropped. He squeezed his eyes dramatically as if he were deeply hurt.

"I know you are heartless, Alec, but sometimes you should learn how to sugarcoat your words. You are hurting an innocent soul!"

Vincent shook his head and sipped on his tea as if it could ease his heartache.

"Stop your act. I don’t have time to spare for your childish antics." Alec turned to Vincent with a serious face.

Vincent lowered his teacup and raised an eyebrow.

"I need your connections," Alec said.

As the wind blew in the silent courtyard, the two men continued to converse.

* * *

Lauren’s eyebrows knitted.

She stared at the luxurious dress on her bed with a puzzled look, as if she couldn’t understand why it was in her room and sitting on her bed as if it were waiting to be worn by her.

Just as she was about to go out and ask the head maid if the dress was sent to the wrong room, the door opened and her two friends went inside with excitement on their faces.

"I can’t believe it!" Isabel exclaimed, holding onto Lauren’s arm.

Jenny looked at Lauren’s bed. "So you have received yours too."

Lauren was still confused. "What is this all about? Why is there a dress on my bed?"

Isabel’s eyes widened.

"You didn’t know yet?"

"What am I supposed to know?"

"We have been invited to join the royal banquet this evening!" Isabel let out a hearty laugh. She couldn’t seem to contain her happiness. "Can you believe it? We are invited by the King himself!"

Seeing the question in Lauren’s eyes, Jenny explained.

"Sir Matthias said that it is King Alec’s way of compensating us for the misunderstanding he caused."

But didn’t he compensate us by giving us special rooms and less work? Lauren wanted to ask, but she didn’t say a word. Perhaps the King was truly guilty about it, that’s why he was being so generous.

Still... inviting maids to such a grand celebration felt like too much.

"His Majesty is so generous, isn’t he?" Isabel’s smile reached her ears.

Seeing how much her friends liked the idea of attending the royal banquet, Lauren just smiled and kept her thoughts to herself.

"We were also given beautiful dresses," said Jenny. "They are so dreamy that I can’t help but get excited. I have never attended any high society occasions before, let alone a celebration hosted by a king."

Attending a royal banquet does sound nice, thought Lauren. But she couldn’t help but be wary of the King.

When afternoon came and they were told to prepare for the banquet, the three helped themselves dress up, as they had no maids to assist them like the rich noble ladies who would attend the banquet.

Lauren’s dress was a deep shade of red, just like the blood wine she often saw on the castle’s dining table. Jenny helped her style her hair. Unlike her usual bun, half of it was braided to the back, while the rest cascaded down her back in soft waves. Some strands were left at the corners of her face.

Staring at the mirror, Lauren found herself in awe of her appearance. She had no recollection of experiencing such grandeur, so it left her astonished. Although she wasn’t aware of it, deep in her heart, she felt a sense of familiarity with the life surrounded by such luxurious dresses and jewelry.

"You are so beautiful, Noelle!" Jenny smiled at Lauren once she was done with her hair. "She looks like a princess, doesn’t she, Isabel?"

Isabel turned to both of them. She was wearing a dress that matched her skin tone. Once a maid, now she looked like a daughter of a noble family.

"She looks great! We all look great!" Isabel giggled and focused on applying powder to her face.

"We should all be careful tonight," Lauren said. "We may have been invited by His Majesty, but we are still maids. We cannot do anything foolish and draw attention to ourselves."

"Of course," Jenna agreed. "I will only eat and drink while observing. I won’t dare do anything with those aristocrats."

But Isabel seemed to have something else in mind.

"Hmm... why don’t we take this opportunity to find rich husbands? Perhaps there might be a gentleman out there who wouldn’t consider our status and marry us!"

A look of worry appeared on Lauren’s face.

"It is rare for an aristocrat to marry a servant, Isabel. Most of them look down on servants and don’t treat us as human beings."

Lauren was worried that her friend might fall into the hands of a cruel person, but Isabel didn’t seem to hear her warning.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read