𝒯𝓇𝒾𝓃𝓀𝑒𝓉 || 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓟𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓼𝓼'𝓼 𝓙𝓮𝔀𝓮𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝓑𝓸𝔁 𝔁 𝓞𝓒

𝒮𝒾𝓍

As expected of a royal banquet in Galdeon, it was nothing short of lavish. The whole venue dripped with extravagance. Gold flashed in Celeste's eyes everywhere she looked, from the floors to the banisters to the ceilings, including the nobility themselves. A truly extravagant display of their wealth. Celeste's eyes held no spark of interest as she took in the grandeur all around her, complimenting. "It's grand. Fitting for a kingdom known for its wealth."

From amongst all the glitz and glamor of it all, emerged the golden ruler himself in a dramatic swish of his cloak. "I'm glad it's to your liking, then." Dressed his best, with his thick mane of lustrous golden hair perfectly bouncing around his shoulders, his eyes lit up as soon as they landed on her. Raul practically skipped over, eagerly snatching up Celeste's hand to kiss the back of it. "Welcome, your Highness. This banquet is in your honor, so I hope you'll enjoy it..." He touched his lips to the back of her hand once, yet it wasn't enough for him. "Er...thank you, King Goldblackrose..." Celeste kept her polite smile on her face as he continued to kiss her hand, gripping it like he was never going to let go.

Raymond's face popped in between them, causing the king to finally drop her hand. "Your Highness, you must be tired from standing and talking for so long. Allow me to guide you to your seat!" He smiled so brightly it was almost blinding, and Celeste almost sighed with relief. "Of course..."

Raymond nodded. "King Goldblackrose, we'll be taking our leave now."

"I...see." The king ground out through gritted teeth, a strained smile on his face.

Celeste was half worried they were going to break out into a fight, with the tension crackling between the two of them. Thankfully, Raymond led her away, leaving a fuming King Goldblackrose's livid glare on her arm resting on Raymond's.

Sinking into the ornate high-backed chair on the balcony overlooking the banquet, Raymond passed her a glass of wine, which she accepted.

"Thank you, Raymond."

Ah...she called him by name.

This princess...she was so hot and cold.

He took his chance. "If I hadn't been attending to you, your Highness, I would have asked you for a dance myself." She glanced up at him haughtily. "You made those bold moves earlier, and now you can't even strike up the courage to ask for a dance?" Raymond rose to her challenge. "I'm refraining, since it doesn't seem you care to dance with me," he quipped back.

Celeste smiled cooly, painted mouth curving on the lip of her glass as she tipped the contents back. "Try me, Sir Amber."

"Well, then..."

A challenging smile split his own face. Amber eyes gleaming, he said nothing and turned to the balcony. "Good evening..." he raised his voice, drawing every eye in the room to him. "I'd like to propose a little game to all the ladies in attendance tonight." The hall quieted, listening in anticipation as he continued. "I've hidden an item inside the banquet hall. It's small in size and red in colour, and makes an interesting sound when you roll it..." His coy gaze slid over to Celeste, who was leaning her chin in her hand, expression unreadable.

Raymond would soon change that.

They locked eyes. "I promise a kiss to the first lady who finds it."

At once, the women below erupted into excited exclamations and giggles, heads whipping left and right in an attempt to find the item.

"Now...would you like to participate too, your Highness?" Raymond leaned down slightly, offering his hand to Celeste.

"Haha..." In one move, she was gripping his chin in her slender fingers, looking up at him with those seductive jewel-toned eyes. "Found it."