Chapter 13 - Drama At The Banquet

Third Person POV.

Leah and her childhood friend Rebecca step into the elegant living room of Queen Alara's palace, their footsteps echoing softly against the marble floors.

Leah is just about to head over to the Queen’s bedroom, when her eyes catch sight of a familiar shopping bag from her favorite jewelry store.

Immediately, her heart skips a beat. She vividly remembers mentioning this store to Jeremy during one of their chats.

Rebecca, always quick to notice details, nudges Leah playfully and points at the bag. She heads over to it and turns the bag around, finding a gift card attached to it.

"Hey, look what we have here," she whispers mischievously, holding up that card that reads:

'I get that I pushed you too far. Stop pouting now.

Love,

Jeremy.'

Leah feels her cheeks flush as she reads the note.

"Oh, Jeremy," she murmurs, unable to suppress a smile.

Rebecca giggles.

"Seems like Jeremy knows you were feeling a bit ignored back at the orphanage. This must be his way of making up for it."

Leah shakes her head slightly, amused.

"Jeremy never fails to surprise me. Buying expensive jewelry and leaving it here so casually."

Rebecca winks and elbows her friend.

"It's the thought that counts, right?" She says laughing.

Before Leah can respond, Queen Alara enters the room, her regal presence filling the space.

"Ah, Leah, Rebecca, welcome!" She greets them warmly. "What's the excitement about?"

Leah blushes but remains silent, hoping Rebecca won't spill the beans. She daintily places the jewelry bag back in its place, not willing to ruin Jeremy’s surprise. She’ll let him come to her with it and pretend she knew nothing of its existence.

Rebecca, however, is too eager to share.

"Your Majesty, look what Jeremy left for Leah," she says, pointing to the bag and the card.

Queen Alara's eyes light up as she examines the jewelry inside the bag, a delicate bracelet with intricate details. She smiles smugly.

"Ah, finally it seems my son is moving on from that wretched Fiona," she thinks to herself, before putting it back and ushering the girls to join her for tea.

____________________

It is the day of the Royal Banquet.

The grand banquet hall is alive with chatter and opulence, filled with royals, and the esteemed Lycan king and queen in attendance. Jeremy, dressed in a finely tailored suit, navigates through the crowd with practiced ease, his demeanor poised and charismatic.

Leah clings to his arm, her eyes constantly fixed on him with a bright, adoring smile.

As they mingle, Jeremy tries to disengage from Leah's constant attention, but she remains steadfastly attached, seemingly oblivious to his subtle attempts to shake her off. Finally managing a moment's respite, Jeremy excuses himself to greet a couple of nobles who beckon him over.

Among them is Nathan, a notorious noble known for his womanizing ways. Nathan's eyes gleam mischievously as he catches sight of Jeremy approaching.

"Well, well, if it isn't Jeremy," Nathan smirks, raising his glass in mock salute. "How's life treating you, my friend?"

Jeremy returns the gesture with a haughty smile.

"Quite well, Nathan. And yourself?"

Nathan's grin widens as he leans in slightly, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "Oh, you know, the usual. Enjoying the company of lovely ladies here and there."

Then, his gaze shifts, his expression turning more pointed.

"Speaking of company, Micah’s latest adventure has everyone in an uproar." he says loudly enough for the rest of the nobles to hear.

Another noble chuckles, his voice dripping with condescension.

"Well, it seems our dear Lycan prince has married a commoner. Quite the scandal, don't you think?"

The surrounding nobles nod and murmur in agreement, clearly enjoying the gossip.

"Marriage below his station will give him no advantage," Nathan sighs, shaking his head. "What was he thinking?"

"And to a peasant-like woman," adds another with a haughty sniff. "Jeremy, your chances at the throne seem to multiply!"

Jeremy hides a smirk behind his glass of champagne, his amusement veiled. He listens intently as the nobles continue to discuss Micah's marriage.

He revels in the fact that he made the right choice by abandoning Fiona. After all, if he hadn’t, it would be him these people would be discussing.

In the grand scheme of things, leaving Fiona for Leah was the right choice! Especially, when he could just have her on the side. The thought fills him with glee.

As Jeremy is about to engage in further conversation with the nobles, the grand banquet hall suddenly falls into a hushed silence. Curious, Jeremy turns around to see what has captured everyone's attention. His eyes widen slightly as he spots Fiona entering the hall, accompanied by Prince Micah.

She glides into the room like a vision, her presence commanding attention. Her hair, a cascade of glossy chestnut curls, is swept up elegantly, showcasing her graceful neck. Her gown, a breathtaking creation of silk and lace, shimmers with a soft hue of sapphire blue that compliments her fair complexion and accentuates her slender figure.

Jeremy's gaze lingers on Fiona, unable to deny the undeniable beauty she possesses.

Micah, by her side, looks equally resplendent in his suit, his arm wrapped tightly around her waist as they make their way through the hall. There's an air of defiance in the way Micah carries himself, as if daring anyone to challenge his choice of bride.

As they step closer, Micah bends down to whisper something in her ear, and Fiona’s face lights up with laughter. She looks so gorgeous, it’s almost painful to watch and piping-hot jealousy burns Jeremy’s spine.

“Holy shit, now suddenly I understand why Prince Micah married her. She is breathtaking.”

Nathan wheezes beside Jeremy, his eyes dark with want as he takes Fiona in. The rest of the nobles now murmur shocked agreements and irritation flares in Jeremy’s gut.

Two women near him gasp, their eyes staring at Fiona. They are clearly impressed.

“Look at her wrist. Oh My God, her jewelry is a work of art.” One of them whispers enviously.

He looks back at Fiona and something catches his sight. It’s her wrist and a golden bracelet sparkles on it. Instantly, a smug grin stretches on Jeremy’s lips.

Of course. She wore the bracelet he had sent her earlier. She still clearly loves him!

He grins cheekily and walks towards Leah, wrapping his arm around her. He leans into her and smirks, hoping to make Fiona jealous. However, to his annoyance, Fiona is way too good at acting. She pretends like she doesn’t even notice him and all she can see is Micah.

Without knowing, he squeezes Leah to his side until she hisses with pain. When she turns towards Jeremy, she catches him fixated on Fiona. Her eyes snag on the golden bracelet, the other woman is wearing and immediately, anger makes her flush red.

Just before she can say anything, her friend Rebecca catches her eye in the crowd. A wordless understanding passes through them and then Rebecca is rushing towards Fiona. In the next second, she throws a glass of water at Fiona’s dress.

“How dare you come here and try to seduce someone else’s fiance?!”

She screams at her and all hell breaks loose.