Living Like a Mouse? How About a Lion?

The Reluctant Escort

The invitation had been sent, the gown was chosen, and now there was one last thing to deal with. My escort.

I wasn't naive. This wasn't a simple birthday banquet for the prince's brother. No, this was a political showcase, where everyone would be judged on how they looked, who they arrived with, and how they presented themselves. In the eyes of the nobles, a noblewoman arriving without a proper escort would be a scandal in itself.

And since Derrick was as much of an option as sticking my head in a dragon's mouth, I was left with one other choice.

 Reynold.

The lesser of two evils.

But asking him to escort me? That was another thing entirely. The thought alone almost made me roll my eyes so hard I'd see the back of my skull. I knew he wouldn't make this easy. He never made anything easy.

Still, I wasn't about to go to the banquet with just any knight. This was a family affair, after all, and as much as I hated to admit it, I was still part of this dysfunctional family. So, I found myself standing outside Reynold's room, preparing for whatever nonsense he was going to throw at me.

I should really get a medal for how much nonsense I put up with in this household.

I knocked, and after a brief pause, Reynold opened the door. His eyes narrowed when he saw me, already suspicious.

Oh good, we're off to a fantastic start.

"What do you want, Penelope?" he asked, leaning against the doorframe like he was already bored.

"I need an escort for the banquet," I said, cutting straight to the point. "And since Derrick is, well, Derrick, I'm asking you."

Reynold blinked at me, as if I'd just suggested something utterly ridiculous. "You... want me to be your escort?" His voice was dripping with disbelief.

Yes, obviously. Who else would I ask?

The kitchen staff?

"Yes, you," I replied, crossing my arms. "Unless you want me to find some random knight to fill the role. I'm sure that'll go over well with Father."

His eyes flashed with something—annoyance, maybe? Or was it amusement? Either way, I could tell he was about to make this difficult.

"Why should I?" he asked, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Don't you think it'd be more fun for you to go alone and cause a scandal?"

"Why should you?" I shot back, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe because I'm still your sister and you'd prefer to avoid Father's wrath when he finds out I was humiliated at the banquet?"

He snorted. "Humiliated? You're practically begging for attention with that blood-red gown. Trust me, humiliation is the least of your worries."

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, please. Spare me the lecture. If anyone knows how to make a scene, it's you."

He pushed off the doorframe, arms crossed, and eyed me up and down. "You really want me to go with you?"

Yes, why else would I be standing here putting up with your antics?

"Yes, Reynold," I said, exasperated. "Who else, if not you?"

He stood there for a moment, like he was really weighing his options—probably just to drag this out and irritate me.

As if I haven't suffered enough today.

Finally, with a dramatic sigh, he said, "Fine. I'll go. But only because I can't let you completely ruin the family name."

I smirked. "Oh, you say that like you're doing me a favor, but we both know you'd be bored out of your mind without me there."

He gave me a mock glare but didn't deny it. "I'm not promising to behave, you know."

"Good," I replied, my grin widening. "I wasn't planning on behaving either."

Reynold shook his head, but there was a hint of a smile on his lips. "You're going to get us both into trouble, aren't you?"

"Only if you're lucky," I shot back, turning to leave before he could throw another sarcastic comment my way.

As I walked down the hallway, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of satisfaction. Reynold had tried to play it cool, like this whole thing was beneath him, but in the end, he agreed.

Me: Looks like I've still got some charm left after all.

Now, all that was left was to face the banquet, armed with my dangerous red gown and my reluctant escort. Let the nobles whisper and the court stare. I was ready.

After all, one mad dog was about to meet another.