Page 68 of The White King's Favorite

“I know who you are, Princess. I was eager to meet you even before seeing you, but now, I am equally impressed by your skill. I had never seen anyone make such amazing use of broken glass before.”

“Th-thank you.”

“The Sehsan Tribe is known for their unique craftsmanship,” said Yassim. “They have been considered as the Kingdom’s cultural and artistic core for generations already.”

“My tribe is one of the oldest in the Kingdom,” nodded Bastat. “Our people remember the times when we got along with the powerful Dragon Empire. It is such a shame how things have changed, but we were looking forward to meeting you, Princess Cessilia. My father couldn’t be present tonight, but he asked me to formally extend an invitation for you to visit our main house.”

Cessilia was very surprised for a few seconds. It was the first time one of the other candidates, other than Naptunie, was openly polite and cordial to her. Although Bastat seemed much more reserved and dignified, she saw no evil intent in her actions, and in fact, the young woman seemed extremely polite. Not only that, but considering she was representing her whole tribe, it seemed there was another clan openly welcoming her to the Kingdom.

“I would love t-to, Lady B-Bastat.”

“It will be my pleasure to show you, Princess Cessilia. Come and find me whenever you feel like going.”

“I will. Th-thank you to you and your f-father for th-the invitation.”

Bastat politely bowed once more and left, leaving Cessilia and Yassim alone once again.

“The Sehsan Tribe is very peaceful, but also very reserved,” noted Yassim. “I’m impressed they already reached out to you, but I believe they are hoping to extend their trades to the Dragon Empire. Their leader is a very wise man, but a bit cunning in his own ways.”

“Th-thank you, Yassim. I will look forward t-to visiting th-them, still.”

Cessilia had a bit of personal interest in craftsmanship and artisans, and from what she could see on Bastat’s dress and hairdo, it might also benefit the Empire to resume relationships with their only neighbor...

After the incident from earlier, it was clear Lady Bastat was the only one brave enough to approach their group. As soon as Tessandra, Nana, and Yamino joined them again, carrying food and drinks, no one else dared to come near. A lot of people had their eyes on them, though, and while the dances, music, and chatter resumed, it was clear the attention was still largely on their group, even when one of the candidates, Lady Axelane of the Nahaf Family, stepped forward. It was clear that the young lady had a plan in mind and a lot of support. As soon as she got to the center of the hall, several young people simultaneously moved to request that people give her space, install a little stool, and put a large instrument in front of her, some sort of wooden container with many strings Cessilia and Tessa had never seen before. Then, she began her performance, not only playing that instrument but also singing. The melody was genuinely beautiful, and the instrument made beautiful sounds, but her voice was rather average. She sang well, but her beauty was what mesmerized the audience.

When she was done, most of the audience clapped, except for the candidates, their entourages, and the King. Much to Cessilia’s annoyance, Jisel was also loudly clapping her hands together, although she was standing next to the throne and close to the King... Following his mistress, Cessilia’s eyes inevitably fell on Ashen.

It was clear the King had absolutely no interest in the lady or her performance. Perhaps his eyes hadn’t left her for a second since she had entered the room, but Cessilia had been so obviously trying to ignore him that she couldn’t tell.

Cessilia averted her eyes, turning away from him and back to the center of the banquet hall, where Axelane was bowing as if she had gotten a perfect standing ovation, before many young men flooded her to request a dance. Unlike Vena, the young lady didn’t make the mistake of requesting anything from the King and acted shy and polite to her suitors instead. After her, the dances resumed for a while before another candidate stepped up, this time, Safia from the Yekara Clan, making Tessandra grimace. Just like her predecessor, she obviously had decided to emphasize a lot on her beauty, presenting a solo dance performance and sending the King long, lascivious glances. It would have been very painful to watch without Tessandra’s witty comments, which made Cessilia and Naptunie chuckle all along. When it ended, it was clear the candidate had once again impressed the audience, but not the King. Ashen looked bored to death on his throne, and even ignored his mistress’ comments, dismissing her with a movement of his hand. Far from looking upset, Jisel finally stepped down to go and dance with a young man, serving polite smiles and glances all around.

“They are mistaking this for a beauty contest,” scoffed Tessandra behind her cup.

“Well, we shall enjoy ourselves regardless,” chuckled Yassim. “Lady Naptunie, would you offer me a dance?”

The two of them went dancing, and much to her own surprise, a brave young man also stepped forward to invite Tessandra for a dance, although he seemed extremely tense and nervous. Cessilia pushed her cousin to go and enjoy herself, convincing her that she should practice for when she would get a chance to dance with Naptunie’s handsome older brother...

Cessilia remained with Uncle Yamino, who was already a bit drunk in his seat. She couldn’t enjoy the dances, but she watched Tessandra and Naptunie seemingly having fun, sending them smiles when their eyes met. However, doing nothing and standing to the side, she felt a bit bored. She had never been fond of the banquets held by her aunt at home, either, too crowded for her introverted nature. Luckily, the next performance to start seemed more interesting. Displaying a strange machine made of wood, metal, and a candle, Bastat requested the whole banquet room to be put in the dark, most candles blown out but hers, to offer the audience a magnificent show of shadows against the walls of the room. In a few seconds, everyone was completely entranced by the darkness of the room, and the magnificent light show, listening to Bastat’s explanations of her own creation.

In the midst of all this, no one witnessed the King leaving his throne and the hall through a back door, nor the hand that pulled Cessilia away from the crowd just a moment later.

Chapter 9

The reason Cessilia hadn’t resisted the pull was simply out of sheer surprise and confusion. The room had been in the dark just before, and she had barely realized what was going on nor where she was being dragged to. It only took a matter of seconds too. Opening a door on the side of the room, Ashen pulled her with him onto the balcony circling the banquet hall. They were on one of the high towers of the castle, and aside from the main doors the guests had come in and out from, and the small door behind the throne, all the other doors on the side led to that very balcony.

It wasn’t the best weather to be outside in. The storm was loud above them, and the clouds dark. A rainfall had begun, landing big droplets on them and threatening to inundate the little balcony in seconds if it wasn’t for the draining system.

Cessilia didn’t care much about the tempestuous weather, though; the cause of her distress was the man who had dragged her there. She glared at him the second she realized it was Ashen. When he felt they were far enough from the door, both of them barely protected against the stone wall, Ashen turned around to face her.

Cessilia suddenly turned her wrist and broke herself free in one movement, taking him by surprise. It was one brutal, quick gesture that showed her annoyance at him, but Ashen didn’t protest, only pulling his hand back with a sullen expression.

“...Sorry about that,” he muttered. “I needed to talk to you alone.”

Unsatisfied, Cessilia crossed her arms and looked away from him, at the waves crashing against the rocks below. She clearly had no intention to make this easy for him.

“Listen... I don’t want us to fight, Cessilia. I... missed you. I never even thought that you’d come back, and now that you’re here, you ignoring me is torture. Do you have any idea how many men were staring at you, while you purposely won’t even let me look at you? I’m barely keeping myself from murdering my own men for that!”

She didn’t even react to his words or his pleading eyes. Ashen slowly realized it was all his fault. He never thought for even a moment that it would be harder to look upon her face, while she was still giving him the cold shoulder. Cessilia’s icy gaze was directed at the sea, refusing to look at him, and yet, he couldn’t bring himself to be mad at her, not even for a second.

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