After weaving through the crowd for nearly ten minutes, she reached the woman in the white gown and gave her a hug.
This was the only person Ave hoped to see.
Compared to the last time they met, her aunt was much more haggard. Even having applied striking makeup before attending the banquet couldn’t hide her deep-seated fatigue.
Although the royal family had not announced the death of Henry VI, Ave was well aware of what her aunt, who had doted on her since childhood, was going through.
"Good girl, it’s good that you’re back."
The woman gently patted Ave’s back and spoke softly.
However, the reunion between the two was destined not to last long. The Queen was not the protagonist of this banquet. After a brief conversation with her aunt, Ave had to return to her rightful place—beside her father. Compared to the genuine emotion she showed her aunt, Ave only expressed formal gestures to the dignified man.
Of course, not everyone welcomed Ave’s return.
In a corner of the banquet hall, a girl in a gorgeous gown was nearly brimming with jealousy in her eyes.
"That’s Prince Freeman’s youngest daughter. Before Ave returned, she had been trying to curry favor with the Second Prince."
Lindong and Ethan whispered to each other outside the banquet hall, inaudible to others, "She is the most overlooked in the family. Marrying the Second Prince could change her status within the family, but the Second Prince was indifferent to her advances. Yet, as soon as Ave returned, the Second Prince held an entire banquet just for her and invited so many notable figures. A girl’s jealousy is a terrifying thing."
The Second Prince had already secured the support of the Church and the Judicial Court. As a representative of the old nobility, Prince Freeman’s interests were naturally closely aligned with the Church. It was almost certain that the Second Prince would become the next King. Once married to the Second Prince, she would be the rightful Queen of the Empire.
"How do you know this?"
Ethan was somewhat surprised.
"I overheard some gossip related to her on my way over. Pathetic, isn’t it?"
Although Lindong said this, there was no sympathy in her tone, but rather a sense of amusement, "All the major figures of the Church faction are gathered here for the banquet. Look, that old man is the current Pope, ranked first on the Empire’s Most Wanted List; the second is the present Chief Judge of the Judicial Court, ’Iron Hand’ Ganniss, and the third is Prince Freeman, the one standing behind the Pope..."
She introduced these people to Ethan as if she were reciting a menu.
Next came the formalities. The Pope gave a blessing to the banquet, followed by the enjoyment of court dances.
"Can you dance the waltz?"
The only one seemingly interested in the banquet’s program was Lindong. She curiously asked Ethan, knowing that court dancing was a social opportunity for the young. However, Ave clearly had no interest, using her aunt as a shield to decline all invitations.
The last time Ethan had encountered a waltz was at a school event, where his stiffness and frequent stepping on his partner’s shoes earned him the title of "one of the worst dance partners."
He had no interest in dancing itself, only participating due to various obligatory activities.
"We could try it when we get back."
"Better not. I’m afraid I’ll step on your feet."
"If you step on them, you can just give me a rub, can’t you? Don’t you love that?" Lindong mischievously whispered in his ear, "I’ve never danced either."
She had attended countless such banquets before but never needed anyone as a shield. She only needed to release a bit of cold air, and those frivolous young men of the capital would keep a respectful distance.
Ethan silently observed Ave and the three members of the Margaret Clan attending the banquet, identifying a key commonality. "Is the cowlick the Margaret Clan’s hallmark? Each of them has a tuft of golden hair on their heads."
It was quite conspicuous in the crowd, though none appeared as lively as the one atop Ave’s head.
"I heard that every heir of the Margaret Clan must undergo the baptism of Holy Word Art. Ave’s father is the current Patriarch. This banquet essentially announces to everyone that Ave will inherit the Margaret Clan. As for the Queen... she left it on purpose."
"They say it makes the family look complete."
This was one of the few people in the capital Lindong found interesting. During previous banquets, the Queen was the only one who could ignore the icy aura she emitted and come over to chat, and later it became known that the Queen didn’t want anyone to feel neglected during the banquet.
The atmosphere of the banquet remained generally cordial.
All the invitees were respectable individuals, each knowing how to ensure the ambiance of the event.
After the music ceased, everyone gathered inside the ballroom. Seeing the opportunity, Damian gathered his emotions. At the Pope’s suggesting glance, he walked toward Ave.
This was a very important step for him.
The Pope had spent an entire afternoon explaining the significance of the Margaret Clan to the Empire.
"I hope to take a few moments of everyone’s time."
When the Second Prince spoke, the guests were already prepared. Everyone knew this was no ordinary welcome banquet, and major figures from all over were present only to witness one thing.
In a loud voice that everyone present could hear, the Second Prince declared, "From the moment I first saw Miss Ave, I was enamored with her. We are at an age for discussing marriage, and I wish to take this opportunity, in the presence of everyone, to announce my engagement to Miss Ave-Margaret!"