Chapter 238: SEND-OFF BANQUET
[There’s the party boy.]
Liam finally reached where they stood, along with some other boys his age.
He reached out his hand and patted Aristia’s head gently, smiling brightly.
"Liam."
[He’s really happy about this.] Aristia thought.
Liam had turned eight years old and was finally going to attend the academy.
This tea party would be his last tea party before leaving for the academy.
[Ah, it makes me feel a bit sad.]
Just then, the Chamberlain announced the entrance of the royal family.
Not long after the royal family entered the banquet hall, Beatrix and Serina appeared in front of the group. Ivan was trailing a small distance behind them.
[Woah, that was fast. They didn’t even wait for us to come to them.] Aristia chuckled inwardly. [Oh, there’s another party boy.] She smiled at Ivan.
She had forgotten to mention that this party was held by the royal family for all the boys and girls that would begin to attend the Academy in January.
[I guess we can call it a send-off party...or banquet. Since that’s what this is.] She thought, looking around at the banquet hall.
Those attending the academy next year were quite many among the Aristocrats. The banquet hall was filled with a lot of people.
Even those who lived in their fiefs and not in the Capital had come to the capital because of the king’s banquet.
"Let’s sit down." Lauren suggested.
They followed and sat down.
Immediately they sat down, the boys and girls kept talking about the academy.
"We know you’re all excited about the academy, but it’s not the only thing we’re going to talk about." Lauren complained.
"This tea party is because we’re leaving for the academy." Ivan stated with an obvious tone.
"Please, have mercy on us that still have to wait a few more years." Aristia said.
[No need to oppress us. We know, we know. The academy is magnificent.]
Everyone laughed because of her words.
"But Laura’s right. Let’s talk about something else." Paige said.
"Like what?" Aristia asked with her chin in her hand resting on the table.
No one said anything about her posture. They had all unknowingly accepted Aristia’s actions and couldn’t find anything she did wrong.
Lauren, Serina and Beatrix even imitated her action. Seeing them, Nova and Alicia did the same.
"Like... Willows Haven." Nova said, turning to Aristia with wide eyes. "I still can’t believe you did that. Even my mansion’s servants can’t stop talking about it."
Aristia shrugged. "I have a friend there. She can’t live in a small cottage. It’ll be uncomfortable."
"Is she a commoner?" Nova asked and Paige facepalmed, something she had seen Aristia doing.
Nova realized her question and shook her cheeks, a tinge of red spreading on her cheeks.
"She has to be a commoner if she’s living in a cottage." Beatrix replied.
[Ouch! But its the truth.]
"You’re friends with a commoner?" Alicia asked.
"Uh-huh." Aristia nodded. "There’s nothing wrong with that."
"Oh..." Alicia nodded, thinking that since Aristia said there’s nothing wrong, then there’s really nothing wrong.
"Wade’s not here?" Aristia asked, finally noticing someone in their circle wasn’t there.
"No." Alicia shook her head.
Aristia nodded. "I hope he’s feeling well."
"Yes. It’s just Marchioness Charlotte. I heard she’s not doing well." Paige shook her head, then changed the topic. "You didn’t bring your pet with you?"
"Oh, no." Aristia shook her head.
The Aristocrats were aware that she had been gifted a unique animal by her father but still hadn’t seen it. At least that’s what they knew and were told.
"What kind of animal was it again?" Paige asked.
"A fox." Alaric answered.
"We’ve seen it before. Her name is Millie. She’s really pretty." Lilith said.
"I wonder when we’ll be able to see it." Paige said.
"Don’t worry, sister Paige. You’ll see her before leaving for the academy."
[My bad. I also forgot to mention that Paige Kiran will also begin to attend the academy next year since she’s turning ten years old.]
"Okay." Paige nodded with satisfaction.
In three weeks, it would be January, a new month, and a new year.
[The famine seems closer now than ever. They’ll be in the academy by then. The academy is not affected by famine—]
"Princess Aristia."
Her thoughts were cut off when someone called her.
They all turned to look at the person.
"Duchess Winston." Aristia was surprised to see a woman she didn’t really talk to.
Duchess Winston smiled gently. "I haven’t yet thanked her highness for her thoughtful deeds for homeless children in Amberale."
"Oh, there’s no need for that, Duchess. As third princess of this kingdom, I am responsible for the well being of the people of Amberale." Aristia replied.
"Oh, it is just as you said." Duchess Winston nodded. "Then, I’ll leave you be with these young masters and misses." She turned to leave.
[O...kay...] Aristia stared at her receding back before turning back to those at her table that were equally as confused as she was even though there really was no need to be confused.
Aristia had done a good deed for the kingdom and it was normal for her to be approached and congratulated.
"Well..." Paige Kiran shrugged, drawing everyone’s attention back.
Aristia stopped thinking about it and turned around, but she couldn’t stop a nagging feeling.
[But why do I feel like her gaze on me was a little... calculating?] She shivered lightly.
"What’s wrong, Tia? Are you cold?" Liam asked worriedly, noticing quickly.
"No... maybe."
She couldn’t tell them the real reason.
Liam looked around and got up. He looked back at Aristia. "Then I’ll ask the servants to make you a cup of hot tea."
"I also want one." Alaric said.
"Okay," Liam nodded, then looked towards his sisters.
They nodded too.
"Okay." Liam nodded again.
He caught his cousins’ gazes on him, then asked. "Do you all also want tea?"
Alicia Eldridge and the Kiran kids all bobbed their heads.
Liam turned to go, sighed and turned to the royal siblings.
"I suppose everyone wants tea then?"
"Yes."
"Mm."
"Huu~" With a final sigh, Liam nodded and went away.
"Pfft!" Aristia couldn’t hold back her laughter, but she tried to control it. The others couldn’t control their laughter and broke into giggles and chuckles.
[Oh, God, I’m sorry. I know it’s because of me that he’s now a tea waiter but I just can’t help it.]