Chapter 23 She Can Actually Attend the Banquet with Doyle
Cressida knew that the more she said, the more mistakes she'd make, so she stayed quiet most of the time.
Fortunately, Miguel wasn't much of a talker either.
However, that didn't stop Anthony from chattering away at Cressida.
He blinked his bright eyes: "Why aren't you wearing your deerskin boots today? Aren't you cold?"
Anthony's question made Miguel look over at Cressida.
Since she was entering the palace, Cressida had put on some powder today.
Slender eyebrows, bright eyes, a silver cloak wrapped around her lean yet upright figure.
Miguel's gaze couldn't help but drift to her hands.
Cressida was holding a rabbit fur hand warmer, keeping them hidden from his view.
Cressida tried her best to ignore Miguel's stare and patiently told Anthony: "I didn't have time to buy them. I'll definitely wear them next time."
Anthony sat beside her with his arms crossed, muttering: "Don't be stingy with money. If you run out, I'll give you more."
"Is Ms. Hamilton short on money?" Miguel suddenly asked.
Before Cressida could answer, Anthony had already jumped to her defense.
"Father, she's terribly poor. The Hamilton family can't afford to support her. Father, why don't you marry her and we'll take care of her."
Cressida had spent ten years training at the border and was usually unshakeable.
But Anthony's innocent words truly shocked her.
Miguel raised his cold eyebrows. Before he could speak, Cressida explained: "The Little Duke has misunderstood. I spent two years with my brother at the border and got used to living simply."
Anthony pouted, seemingly unhappy that Cressida had rejected his suggestion.
"I suppose Anthony is just being silly," Miguel said flatly. "The Hamilton family received generous rewards. How could they not give Ms. Hamilton anything to spend?"
Cressida responded with a polite smile. Miguel looked away, and the matter was finally dropped.
She was indeed short on money, but she couldn't say that outright, or it would sound like she was complaining.
Besides, Miguel meant nothing to her and wasn't within her scope of use for now, so there was no need to explain further to him.
The carriage arrived at the palace. Being a prince's carriage, it passed through without any obstacles.
Cressida got off the carriage following Miguel.
She knew that Odette was hosting the banquet in the warm pavilion next to the imperial garden, and was about to ask Miguel to send a maid to show her the way.
But just then, they ran into Doyle's sedan chair, followed by Sophie's sedan chair.
Cressida took a step back and positioned herself behind Miguel.
Doyle was in his fifties, but his temples were already graying, and he had a tall, thin frame.
The sedan chair stopped in front of them.
"Greetings, Father." Miguel bowed respectfully, and Cressida lowered her head as well.
Perhaps because he was in Doyle's presence, even the mischievous Anthony bowed properly: "Grandfather."
Cressida kept her head down and only heard Doyle's gentle voice: "Perfect timing. After the banquet, take Anthony to visit Odette. She just mentioned she missed him."
"Yes," Miguel replied.
Cressida thought to herself that Odette wasn't Miguel's birth mother, but a later-appointed queen. From Doyle's tone, their relationship seemed quite good.
"And who is this?" Doyle finally noticed Cressida behind Miguel.
Sophie had already gotten off her sedan chair from behind. Holding Juliet's hand, she quickened her pace.
"Doyle, this is the Ms. Hamilton I mentioned to you, General Hamilton's twin sister!"
That one sentence changed the way Doyle looked at Cressida.
"So you're General Hamilton's sister! Seeing your appearance, I can imagine what a magnificent figure your brother must have been. What a shame..."
As Doyle spoke, he seemed particularly moved.
"My brother served his country loyally and set an example. Novaria is full of talented people, and more capable individuals will surely emerge. Please take care of yourself, Doyle." Cressida's manner was graceful and composed.
A flash of approval crossed Doyle's eyes.
Sophie asked with a smile: "But how did you two end up coming together? Where's Ms. Hamilton's family?"
Miguel didn't speak, giving Cressida the chance to explain herself.
"My mother and the others left early. I fell behind, and our family carriage broke down. Fortunately, the Prince offered his help."
Sophie warmly took Cressida's hand: "I see. It's freezing here. Ride in my sedan chair to the banquet—it's on the way anyway."
Cressida quickly said she didn't dare, but Doyle had already agreed.
Seeing Miguel get into another sedan chair with Anthony, Cressida had no choice but to share Sophie's sedan chair to attend the banquet.
Sophie noticed Emma holding a covered instrument and asked: "Your instrument?"
"My brother's. I wanted to perform at the Queen's banquet today as a gesture of respect."
"Good girl. From the moment I first met you, I thought you were well-mannered, and you haven't disappointed me." Sophie was particularly warm toward her.
Inside the banquet hall, moving music was already playing, with a stirring rhythm.
Odette sat among many noble ladies.
Everyone's eyes were on Rose, who was playing in the center.
She wore an elegant white dress today, with a white fox fur collar around her neck, looking quite beautiful.
When the piece ended, Odette led the praise: "That was wonderful! I can almost picture General Hamilton playing this piece while defeating the enemy."
The noble ladies chimed in, constantly flattering Rose.
Rose stood up and bowed lightly: "Your Majesty is too kind. I don't deserve such praise. I was just thinking of my brother at the border, going through so many dangerous moments, so I poured my worries into the music. I'm not even half as good as he was."
Everyone praised her again.
Rose felt pleased inside, though she kept it well hidden on her face. She knew she was stealing the show today, and all the noble ladies in Emerald City would have to look up to her.
During the gathering, Tyler remembered how Clio had pushed her out to face the pressure that day.
Tyler couldn't help but say coolly: "If I remember correctly, Miss Hamilton is the Hamilton family's goddaughter. When General Hamilton went to war, you weren't even part of the Hamilton family yet. How did you learn this piece?"
Odette immediately looked at Clio: "She's the goddaughter? Then where is the real Ms. Hamilton?"
Clio quickly stood up to explain: "Your Majesty, I've been having some health issues lately, and my goddaughter Rose happens to know some medicine, so I asked her to stay by my side."
"My eldest daughter Cressida was delayed changing her clothes before leaving. I was worried about being late, so I entered the palace first. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Odette smiled: "Girls like to look beautiful—it's only natural. How could I blame her? Someone go wait for Ms. Hamilton at the palace gate."
Rose noticed that after learning she was the goddaughter, Odette's attention had shifted away from her, which annoyed her somewhat.
But with so many people present, she couldn't show anything, and could only have servants move the instrument aside.
Just then, the guard at the door announced—
"Kingdom Doyle Russell, Princess Sophie Russell, Prince Miguel Russell have arrived!"
Odette and everyone immediately stood up to greet them.
Everyone had to bow, including Clio and Rose.
However, when Doyle told them to rise, they looked up to see Cressida standing steadily behind Miguel.
Cressida was wrapped in her cloak, wearing only one hair ornament, yet she seemed naturally elegant, cool and graceful.
She had actually managed to overcome the obstacles and enter the palace! Clio's expression changed slightly.