Pretending To Be Gilead's Prince and Master Wizard

Lady Catherine and I spent the next few hours talking to different guests that went to the luncheon party she organized. I can already feel my mouth being tired already from smiling a lot during those times in front of these important people in society.

At occasional times though, I would sneak a glance on my surroundings and look for any signs of my mentors around. Once I spot them in their place, I would immediately feel relaxed and continue on what I was doing.

"So, what have you been doing lately, Prince Arthur?" 

We already moved on with talking to the guest and now, it is only Lady Catherine and I that is now sitting on a table across from each other. I was kinda startled by her question, though I tried my best not to show it.

"Well, you know me, I am really into venturing quests and finding ways to improve my country and my people lately," I replied, as confidently as I could. My answer was vague, I know, but I really don't have anything else to say right now.

Alex was right about one thing. More words would definitely result in more mistakes .

She nodded a bit reluctantly. Please don't tell me I am being so obvious here.

"I see. That is nice, I guess," she smirked before lifting her goblet that contains champagne in it. I only asked water to fill my cup.

"You are not into alcohol?" Lady Catherine raised an eyebrow when she finally realized what is inside my glass.

"Not really. I have never liked alcoholic drinks anyway," I plastered a smile on my face to conceal the anxiety that I am currently feeling.

"But I remembered we made a toast on your last birthday celebration two years ago," 

I almost gulped upon hearing her last statement. I really hope she stops asking further questions, or if not, then maybe I will just find a way to escape her awkward company.

"Of course, it is my birthday after all," I said as a matter of fact, like that should make sense to her now. "It is nice to sometimes let yourself indulge in things that you are not used to during that time,"

"Of course, I think I understand now,"

She only shrugged her right shoulder before taking a sip from her champagne with such grace and poise. Royal bloods surely know how to be sassy in everything that they do.

"One more thing. I did not remember inviting your… chaperones, I really don't know what to call them, into my party. And yet they came. You have never brought a chaperone into your endeavors. I thought you hated having an entourage."

Please… just please, make her stop asking me any more questions. I am running out of answers as time goes by.

"Having them… makes me feel safe, I guess."

I know I just did the wrong choice of words back there. How stupid of me.

"And they make me feel relaxed over big gatherings such as this," I quickly added to support my last statement. "But on my quests, I prefer to be alone,"

"Ohh… is that so?"

I was silently praying inside my head that someone could rescue me from this very inquisitive woman when I heard that familiar, tiny-teeny voice from the person whom I am definitely not expecting to be here. (considering that this person and Lady Catherine looked like rivals or something like that.)

"Oh, prince Arthur! It is so nice to see you!" said Princess Marionette, glaring at Lady Catherine over my shoulders. The girl is now wearing a nice blue off-shoulder chiffon dress with a light blue stiletto at her feet and a hat that has a thin veil that slightly covers her face to complete her look.

I guess she answered my prayers earlier.

Lady Catherine stood up, lips parting, as she looked at the princess with utmost disbelief.

"And who said that you are invited here, huh?" she fumed. Princess Marionette smirked at her before giving her response.

"Well, I don't need an invitation because I know I should be part of this party," she held her head high and raised one eyebrow at her enemy.

"Both our nations are trading partners. It is only then my right to be here, or else I would tell my father to pull out from the business," The princess added, crossing her elbows to her chest and looking at Lady Catherine as if daring her to oppose her.

But the latter did not utter any word and plastered an obviously fake smile to her opponent.

"Of course, you are welcome here anytime," she hissed.

"Good," Princess Marionette flashed a triumphant smile at the host of this party before shifting her gaze at me.

"The only reason I know why you intentionally forgot to invite me is to have a solo moment with my fiance', no?" she added.

I can now see some of the guests have stopped from what they were previously doing and chose to witness the growing tension between these two gorgeous ladies. 

Once again, I am now in between their fight. Thinking about it, I should not be experiencing this anymore since Princess Marionette already knows I am not the real prince, right? I guess she just really hates Lady Catherine and only wanted to piss her.

"Excuse me, that is bold of you to accuse me of something that you made up on your own," It was Lady Catherine's turn now to hold her high and cross her arms over her chest.

"Tell me, did I really make it up?" 

I have to say, Princess Marionette is too good at winning a conversation, a characteristic that doesn't really show in her cutesy looks.

When the former did not respond, Princess Marionette continued, "That is for you to figure out,"

Then she held her hand and almost dragged me out of here.

"Let's go my prince. I think your time is only wasted just by remaining in here," 

I did not dare defy her but instead looked at the defeated host and gave her an apologetic face to which she only responded with a curt nod.

My mentors, who were silently setting down in their chairs, started to move when they must have seen the princess dragging me away from this mess that she started.

Back at the carriage, Princess Marionette told me to sit and so I did what she said.

"What are you exactly doing in this kind of party?" she demanded. "You could have totally blew away your identity back there," 

That totally surprised me. When did she concern herself with what we are doing?

"As soon as I heard about it, I immediately came here to rescue you…" she added, but then a smirk appeared on her face. "And of course, to ruin that brat's party,"

Yeah, they are definitely rivals. 

"There is no need for that though," I heard Alex's voice chiming into our conversation.

Our heads then immediately turned around to see Lancelot, Alex and Lucas standing behind us. 

"That is why we are here, to train her for such events," Lucas added. "We see a need to attend this party so as not to confuse the guests, and so we are here."

It was really a good thing that we are currently far away from all the people that might possibly hear our conversation now, or else, we will all be in great trouble.

"Since when did you start having a concern with our endeavors, huh?" Alex raised one eyebrow at the princess. "You barely showed interest ever since you learned the truth anyway."

I noticed the princess paused for a moment, as if thinking carefully about what to say to the lad. Then after a few seconds, she responds.

"It doesn't mean that if I don't show my interest, I am not concerned," Princess Marionette tells with a serious look upon her face.

"I totally support your group. I am in your favor of finding my prince and the enemies that might have caused his sudden disappearance, Because if not, then I would have already told everyone the truth, right?"

I looked at my mentors, indicating that what she is currently saying makes a lot of sense. 

"I am only concerned with your mission. If you fail and you don't really find the real prince, then it is my loss too as his fiancee'. I hope you don't forget that," 

That was her last statement before she walked away from here and went towards her own carriage. She motions her charioteer to move and then she is gone from our sight.

"She is definitely right," Lancelot said at last after a moment of silence.

"Should we go back to the party after what happened?" I suddenly asked.

"Nah. We'll just head straight home. Let them have their own opinions to themselves," Alex answered.

After that, all three of them climbed up to the chariots before it started moving away from here.

Meanwhile…

---

-LADY CATHERINE-

"I thought about what you've said to me… and I think you are probably right."

General Rosa, who is now standing on my right wearing her usual knight uniform, spared me a look after sipping from her glass.

"The prince that came today is definitely not the real prince."