The King was busy discussing something with Alec when Cassandra, being as observant as she was, noticed the disappearance of Lauren in the crowd. She was about to tell her father when she saw most people looking in a certain direction.
It was Lauren and Lord Vincent making their way to the dance floor.
It wasn't part of Lauren's plans to dance for the night, but it was a perfect opportunity to piss off the royal family and the Merriweathers. Princess Lauren, to be married the next day, was caught dancing with an Acheron royalty. Wasn't that a perfect title for a scandalous affair?
"Your dress looks good on you by the way," Vincent said when they started dancing.
One corner of Lauren's lips went up. "You don't have to impress me by praising my dress, my lord. I am fully aware that I have the worst dress tonight."
"I think you misunderstood me. I wasn't praising your dress but you. I bet you can give justice to any kind of clothing."
"And I bet your hobby is debauching women."
"You really surprise me with your utter honesty, princess. I have nothing to say in that case."
With each turn, Lauren was aware of how Vincent was pulling her closer each time. He was trying to seduce her. To know if his charms could move her untouchable heart. Men and their ego, she thought.
After the dance, they were requested to the King's table, and Lauren wasn't surprised by how sharply her stepmother and sisters looked at her. It was as though they were ready to skin her alive. She only smiled, acting fool. After all, it was what this family loved doing the most. Acting fool.
Though, she wondered where Alec Everston was. Before she left the hall, she saw him talking to her father. Perhaps, he went to the people he knew, or he left early. It was a pity if he already left, she thought. She still wanted to confront him about how he asked for some time to think but never told her his decision.
"We all thought you disappeared again, Lauren," Eloise said in a concerned tone.
"Oh, I went to the bathroom, and I happened to see Lord Vincent."
"Yes," Vincent affirmed. "I asked her to walk me to the garden. We talked a bit, then we went back for a dance."
"So, you had a good time with my daughter?" The King asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I couldn't argue that Princess Lauren is as charming as people say."
Lauren smiled sweetly as if she received such a rare compliment. She really loved the annoyed looks she was receiving from the ladies at the table. The distaste and envy were very evident on Eloise's face as if all she could taste from her wine was bitterness.
"She is charming indeed," the Queen replied and Lauren's brow shot up. Every time the Queen speaks, it always starts with something nice, but she ends up saying the worst things. "There is no doubt she will make a good wife. You must have heard about her wedding that will happen tomorrow, did you not, Lord Vincent?"
"A lady to be married dancing with another man the night before her wedding, isn't that scandalous?" Cassandra muttered in a low voice but everyone at the table heard it clearly. "You should have known better than to dance with my sister and possibly ruin my family's reputation, Lord Vincent."
"Mr. Merriweather was searching for you earlier, Lauren. He must have felt bad when he saw you dancing with someone else," Eloise added.
"My apologies if that is how you see it, Princess Cassandra," Vincent eyed the lady with a sharp glint in his eyes. "It was only a friendly gesture. And I may not be in the position to say this, pardon me for this Your Majesties, but I think Princess Lauren's marriage might be too rushed."
The King cleared his throat. He eyed Lauren sharply before looking at Vincent. "And what makes you think it is too rushed? Did my daughter tell you that she didn't want to get married?"
"No, Your Majesty. Perhaps, it is my intuition. Princess Lauren is still young and she seems to be not ready for marriage."
"You just spent time with her for the first time and you are already standing up for her. Do you want to marry my youngest daughter instead?" Lauren wanted to throw up at how the Queen addressed her as her youngest daughter. She would admit, the Queen knew well how to play with words.
Vincent smirked. "If given the chance, who am I to say no? Princess Lauren is lovely and interesting. There is no doubt she will make a good wife."
Lauren's eyes squinted. She was sure Vincent wasn't the kind of man ready to tie the knot with anyone. But she also knew he was fully aware of what he was doing. He looked sharp and smart, not shallow. So, it meant he was being playful. He found the Monserrate family intriguing, and he was enjoying playing with them. He didn't mind if his words would stir chaos or offend the King, which meant he was powerful and confident in himself.
The tension only grew thicker when the Merriweathers went to join them, as the King requested their presence earlier. But now with how their talk was going, it was clear as daylight that the Merriweathers shouldn't be there.
"Your Majesties," Lady Merriweather smiled at the group, but none of them returned the smile.
Peterson Merriweather went to sit beside Lauren, while Lauren's other side was occupied by Vincent.
Lauren put down her utensils and stopped eating. She could feel the storm that was about to fall, and with the looks of it, Vincent was ready to play along. He must have a serious mental problem to make trouble for himself, she thought.
"You look beautiful, Princess Lauren," Peterson praised, which made Eloise's noise wrinkle.
"Thank you," Lauren replied with a small smile. Although she didn't like to marry Peterson, she knew he wasn't a wicked man. He was truly a nice man.
If she was only an average girl who aimed to build a family of her own, she might have considered him. But a family was out of the picture in her life. She grew up in hatred and grudges. Having a husband she loved and raising children was like a faraway dream for her.
"Lord Vincent, I didn't know you would pay a visit. Next time, I suggest you bring your father along, so we can have a talk," Lord Merriweather said lightly. "By the way, I saw you dancing earlier with a girl earlier. I was talking to the councilmen though, so I didn't have a good look. Who was the lady you danced with? I might be of help if you want to ask her hand for marriage. I am friends with most noblemen here."
Vincent smirked. "It was Princess Lauren."
Lord Merriweather's smile dropped while her wife almost spilled the wine on herself.
As if the table was not messy enough, another person arrived.
This time it was Alec Everston.