The Prince Forth & The Pauper by ARIE78 (Completed)

Chapter: 12. Preparations for a banquet

~The next day~

“Wait, what have I got to do? I don’t understand.” Beam walked along the corridor, Ming and Kit in tow. There was to be a banquet that night to celebrate Wayo’s arrival and the coming wedding.

Kit sighed, exasperated. “I’ve been trying to tell you for the last 10 minutes. Right, now that I have your full attention...” He held up two fingers. “There are two major rules about tonight’s banquet. One, any food or drink that is offered to you by someone of higher status must be taken gratefully. Two-”

“Why?” Beam interrupted, already confused about why Kit was so het up about tonight’s festivities.

Ming laughed at the confused look on Beam’s face and the frustrated one on Kit’s. “It’s because it’s meant to be an honour for someone of higher status to offer you anything. You might offend someone if you don’t.” He frowned as he realised why Kit was fretting. “And as you already seem to be on Prince Wayo’s bad side, it probably would not be good to publicly offend him or any of his entourage.”

Kit nodded quickly at Ming, glad he understood before turning back to Beam. “Exactly! Now do you understand why I’m telling you this?”

Beam nodded. “I guess, but it doesn’t make this any better, you know I wouldn’t care what anyone of a higher status than me thought of me. The only reason I’m listening at all is because I know anything I do will make Forth look bad as I’m meant to be his guest. Wouldn’t it be easier if I just didn’t go? It seems I’m going to make a fool of myself whatever I do.”

Kit tutted. “Honestly! That would offend people even more!” He looked at Beam disbelievingly. “Are you really that stubborn that-”

Beam growled, interrupting again, this time annoyed. “It’s not that I’m stubborn. It’s just I have avery low tolerance of alcohol and the mostly likely thing I’ll be offered is wine, is it not?”

Kit paused, unable to think what to say for a second. “Ahh...well I’m sure we can work our way round that problem.”

Beam snorted. “If you say so.”

They continued talking as they walked up the corridor, unknown to any of them August walked back down another corridor that had joined to theirs, a sly smirk on his face. “Hmm...I wonder if I can use this information to my advantage.” His smirk turned into a grin as he looked back over his shoulder to where Beam and the others had been two seconds ago. “I’ll make you lose Forth’s favour today, mark my words.”

~At Forth’s room~

“Right, the other major rule. You must wear your best clothes but not dress above your station.”

Beam rolled his eyes as he opened the door to Forth’s room, not even bothering to knock anymore. He walked into the middle of the room, not even noticing Forth and spun around. “The clothes you see me in are my best clothes, happy?” He was wearing the same clothes he had brought with him to the castle, having not had time yet to go back and grab some more from his home.

Forth smirked from his position on the bed, having been staring at the structure above him in his own little world before he had been interrupted by the three. He moved over so that he was on his stomach and facing Beam. “Is Kit briefing you on tonight’s banquet by any chance?” When he received a disgruntled nod he laughed. “I know how you feel, they’re annoying aren’t they? All the pomp and ceremony just to eat some good food.” He stood up, stretching like a cat before making himself comfy again, leaning against one of the posts of the bed.

Beam sighed. “Do I really have to come?”

Forth frowned. “Unfortunately yes, if it was up to me I’d keep you as far away from Wayo as possible but I’m not allowed to.” He gave an apologetic look to Beam.