Living Like a Mouse? How About a Lion?

The Banquet Begins

The day of the banquet finally arrived, and I'll admit, it had a certain grandeur to it that even I couldn't deny. The palace was blindingly white, towering over the city like a reminder of everything I wasn't supposed to touch. Fountains gushed, guards stood like statues, and the gardens were the kind of perfect that made you want to stomp on a flower just to make it feel more real. The ballroom, where all the action would take place, was already filling with noble guests, and there I was, walking in with Reynold, of all people.

He didn't seem thrilled about being my escort. Not that I cared much. He was stiff, his arm offered like I was a burden he had to haul through the door. I almost laughed at how much we probably looked like we hated each other.

Because we do.

 Obviously.

I could feel the weight of dozens of eyes on me the moment we entered. My gown—a deep, blood-red creation with black accents—was making exactly the kind of statement I'd hoped for. I could practically hear the whispers around me.

"Is that Penelope?" "Goodness, what is she wearing?" "Does she think she's some sort of... villainess?"

Ah, yes. 

Nobles, the most judgmental creatures in the world.

 If they don't talk about your clothes, they'll talk about how you breathe.

Reynold gave me a sidelong glance but didn't say anything. He was playing his role, and I was playing mine. The rebellious, scandalous daughter of the Duke who, by all appearances, was barely tolerating being there. But really, I had one thing on my mind: Callisto.

Where was he?

I scanned the room discreetly as we walked through the crowd, but no sign of him. The Crown Prince's younger brother was the guest of honor, of course, but it wasn't him I was looking for. No, I had prepared myself for an entirely different kind of presence. Callisto, the mad dog of the royal family, the one man who made every noble quake with a mix of fear and fascination.

Except, apparently, he wasn't here.

Fantastic. 

I've walked into a lion's den, and the lion I wanted isn't even in the room.

I tried not to let the disappointment show on my face. Not that anyone would care if it did—most of these nobles would probably enjoy watching me squirm. But still, I had been counting on Callisto's presence. There was something about him, something dangerous and unhinged, that made him seem like my best chance at... well, anything. Freedom, maybe? A way out of this miserable life as a puppet in the Eckhart family circus?

And now, I'm stuck at a banquet full of people I can't stand, without even the promise of a mad dog to shake things up.

I plastered on a smile as we stopped near one of the many refreshment tables, where the nobility clustered in groups, exchanging gossip and flaunting their wealth. I could feel their eyes on me, judging, whispering. I met a few stares head-on, daring them to say something out loud. They didn't, of course. Cowards, all of them.

Reynold, for his part, was doing his duty, making polite conversation with a few nobles who had approached him. He was civil, though not exactly friendly, and I could tell he was as eager to get this over with as I was. The tension between us was palpable, but neither of us spoke.

Well, this is just lovely.

 I'm in a room full of people I'd rather throw a drink at than talk to, and my so-called brother can't even pretend to like me.

I sighed inwardly, my eyes still wandering the room for any sign of Callisto. But no, it seemed I was out of luck. The crowd was growing, more nobles arriving in their finest attire, but there was still no sign of the one person I'd hoped would turn this dull event into something interesting.

The music played on, couples swirled across the dance floor, and the hum of conversation filled the air. I was bored out of my mind.

I wore this dress for nothing.

Still, I stayed put, nodding and smiling at a few nobles who dared to greet me, though the conversations were shallow at best. I couldn't help but notice how many people avoided direct eye contact with me, as if I was some kind of plague they didn't want to catch.

Cowards. 

All of them.

I wasn't stupid. I knew what they thought of me. A bastard adopted into nobility, a commoner masquerading as something I wasn't. They didn't say it out loud, of course. Not in a place like this. But their eyes said it all.

And honestly? It didn't bother me as much as it used to. I wasn't here to win their approval. I was here to make sure they never forgot I was still standing.

Besides, I don't need their approval. 

I've survived worse than a room full of gossiping idiots.

Still, my mood darkened as the minutes ticked by, and there was still no sign of Callisto. Part of me wanted to just leave, make some grand exit, but I knew that wasn't an option. I had to stay, to endure the rest of this torturous night, if only for the sake of appearances.

The Crown Prince's brother was making the rounds now, greeting guests and accepting their sycophantic praises. I watched from a distance, making no move to approach him. What would I even say? I had no interest in charming the royal family, not unless they could offer me something real—something more than empty titles and shallow power.

And right now, the only person who had that potential wasn't even here.

What a waste.

I took a glass of wine from a passing servant, raising it to my lips more out of habit than thirst. The liquid was bitter, a reminder of the bitter reality I was stuck in.

No Callisto. No deal. Just me, trapped in this wretched family and this wretched life, waiting for something—anything—to change.

Guess I'll just have to survive tonight and figure out the rest later.

But as I stood there, watching the nobles laugh and dance, a thought crept into my mind, unbidden and dangerous.

Maybe I'll be the one to make things change.

Maybe, just maybe, I didn't need Callisto. Maybe I could figure out a way to shake things up on my own.

But for tonight?

I'd just have to play the game.