As Sweet As Saccharine

CHAPTER 5 - THE BANQUET

"Hear no evil, speak no evil, and you won't be invited to cocktail parties."

-Oscar Wilde- 

CHAPTER 5

I have finally arrived at Prince Zachary's kingdom, Cyrius. The Cyrius kingdom famous for their agriculture, beautiful fields for agriculture can be seen across the kingdom. It is such a peaceful sight. I can see farmers packing up to leave the field and rest for the day as the sun begins to set. The kingdom of Cyrius is not too far from Hermosa Kingdom, it is only a four-hour trip. There are no cars here, mind you, so it takes longer to go anywhere. A heave a heavy sigh and mentally prepare myself for the banquet and to act out my plan. Avoid at all cost! These aristocratic events are such a pain in the ass. Too much fake smiling, fake caring, all kinds of fakeness. How suffocating. I tried to avoid them as much as I can. I pretended to be sick most of the time. I also know that the main characters may be attending those events, so I didn't want to come. I have to come this time though. This banquet is quite important and non-attendance may cause unnecessary tensions between two kingdoms. Especially when I am (kind of) an ex-fiancé.

The castle looks so grand. Even grander than the castle I lived in. It looks like the castle that I saw on my trip to Disneyland Japan with my friends during spring break. But this castle, is more magnificent. My carriage finally stops, and my chaperone opened the carriage door for me. "Princess, we have arrived" he helped me down my carriage. I can see a lot of other nobles attending the banquet. Just suck it up Jessie, one more night, then you don't have to put in too much effort to avoid the main characters because you are not even necessary for the plot development.

Finally inside the castle, the marble tiles gleamed under me, reflecting the lights from the huge diamond chandelier hung on the high ceiling. The walls are adorned exquisite statue cravings. I can see that there are a lot of guests who have arrived. I am not really interested in socializing, but I am keen on getting to know the delicious looking food near the walls. The foods are calling me, seducing me to come towards them and say hi. Of course, as someone who knows her priorities, I decided to do so.

However, as I about to so, I saw a woman-like figure passing in front of me. She is wearing a fancy off-shoulders dress with a pink color. She's really pretty. She has high cheek bones and high-bridged nose and her brown hair is in an elegant updo with captivating light blue eyes. Based on what I observed, and they physical appearance described by the author in the book, she is Princess Angela, the protagonist. As expected of the protagonist, she looks gorgeous.

I decided to abandon my plan to approach the food table and goes on the opposite direction hurriedly. Anywhere is better than here. I was too busy thinking about avoiding her that I forgot to pay attention to where I am going.

Thump! I bumped into something hard. I was so shocked that I stumbled and about to fall down. Shit! Oh God, Why?! Why do I have to fall down right now?! I felt a large hand grabbing my waist reflectively, saving me from embarrassment. "Can't wait to fall for me, Viola?" A deep voice emitted from the wall in front of me. I quickly snapped out of my shock and immediately move back.

"Thank you for saving me sir, if you would excuse me" I thanked him politely and proceed to hurriedly walk away as my plan without looking at the owner of the voice. "Why are you in a hurry? Is that all you have to say to your fiancé and soon to be husband? I am heartbroken darling" The wall teasingly said, blocking me from walking away. I can feel that the wall is smirking down at me. How uncomfortable, I just want to disappear right now.

I tried to side past him again more frantically but just like before, he blocked me. "I'm sorry, I really need to leave" I fearfully said. "wait, calm down!" I feel both of his hand touched the sides of my arms. Realizing that he would not let me go, I decided to look up to see his face and give him a piece of my mind (subtly of course, I need to keep my reputation as a princess). I finally raise my head and I saw, the most handsome looking man I have ever seen in my life.

The novel's description of Cesar Wylie does not do justice on his godly looks. He has a short curly white blond hair, his height is approximately 6'2. He has dazzling green eyes and thin lips that curved into a playful smirk. His body looks muscular and that princely coat suits him perfectly. Honestly, with his looks, in my world, he could be a very successful fangirls with a lot of fangirls running after him. I was too caught up on my thoughts that I forgot that I have been staring at him for a long time. "Cat got your tongue princess?" he teased again, his smirk transforms into a grin. Embarrassed for being caught staring, I immediately looked down. My face feels hot and my heart won't stop beating loudly in my ribcage. No, it is not from his looks or love, I'm terrified of him. I was about to step his foot with my heels to run away until I heard someone calling for Prince Cesar.

I slipped away quickly after Prince Cesar got distracted. F***, Prince Cesar has already noticed me. What am I supposed to do now? I can't stay here anymore. I need to leave. I soon spotted a vacant balcony nearby and decide to clear my head there. Tonight has been an unexpectedly long night.

I heaved a huge sigh and tell my heart to calm down. If I remember correctly, at this banquet, the focus of the novel is still on the first meeting of Prince Zachary and Princess Angela. Surely, Prince Cesar has not been a villain now, or the author would have hinted it. Or maybe it is just a façade so people will not suspect his evil plans? Oh God, this is hard. I mean, he is kind of cocky, but that's not determinative if he is evil. Sigh, when will this end? I remember that on one of the discussion forums on the novel, someone analyzed that he may have a crush on Princess Angela. Although, not much is said other than, his occasional glances at Princess Angela that may indicate that he has feelings for her. I would not blame him though, Princess Angela is really pretty. She honestly look like a goddess.

Not associating with Prince Cesar is a definitely a fail but, I haven't talk to Princess Angela or Prince Zachary yet, so I think I still got a chance. Don't give up Jessie! You can do this! You can save yourself from death!

For the 1000th time today, I was too busy with my pep talk to get through the night that I didn't realize someone is right beside me. "Why the long face, princess?" a familiar deep voice is heard next to me. Startled, I stumbled a bit, turning myself towards the owner of the voice.

It is Cesar again. That guy looks like he is enjoying himself, with a glass of red wine in his hands. "Why the long face? Don't you miss me? Because I miss you" there it is again, his smirk. I noticed that he has a dimple on his right cheek when he smiled which makes him look kind of... cute. No, Jessie, step out of it! Don't be tempted and fall for that devil! You want to survive!

"Why do you want to know" I retort back, giving him a fake smile. I noticed that may nobles have started to gather together in one big cluster around the grand staircase. That's my chance to escape! "Now, excuse me Prince Cesar, Prince Zachary is about to enter the banquet". He grabbed my arm before I managed to walk off. "Of course I care! you are my fiancé. We will be married soon. I'm sad princess, you always reject my request to see you. You used to be ecstatic when you see me and always begged me to see you. What changes, my fiancé?" He looked at me, trying to read me through my eyes. I avoided his gaze, feeling trapped.

Well, the soul changes, I am not Viola. Of course, I didn't say that I would sound like a lunatic so what I said instead is "I just want to focus on my studies more. The princess training schedule is super busy, I have no more free time. I want to use that free time to think about how I can improve the living conditions of my people" I said trying to sound convincing. That is not exactly a lie, since I am really busy and If I didn't marry, I will have to take over the throne, so I need to be competent.

"Is that it?" He raises one of his eyebrows, fuck, he is doubting me. "If I didn't know you any better I thought you are not Viola" he sarcastically said. The hair on my back stood up and a shiver ran down my spine. I know he is being sarcastic because he thinks my reason is absurd but that hits too close to home. I forced myself to laugh a bit to ease the rapidly increasing tension. "of course not, Prince Cesar. Did you accidentally hit your head?" I said, trying to pretend to be informal with him, to throw him off and show him that I am Viola. I realized, I wasn't a good actress, I always got the supporting role or the role of a tree at the background when I was a part of the theater club back in high school. This is embarrassing.

He raises his eyebrows even higher, higher than what I thought was possible for an eyebrow to go (and higher than my grade will ever be in college). Insert the 'and at this moment, she knew, she fucked up' voice over here. Awaiting for his response, I just stared at him nervously. His facial features highlighted under the beautiful full moon, making him look even more good looking. At the end, he just hummed in response and left me alone at the castle's balcony.