Chapter 25 The Banquet


    Sylvia''s POV:


    The tit for tat conversation ceased because Ethan, the lycan king, arrived. I breathed a sigh of relief.


    I also realized that the queen, Laura, wasn''t easy to get along with, and she didn''t seem to like me


    either.


    But it didn''t matter. Their opinions didn''t mean anything to me, Once my mother''s case was


    redressed and Rufus'' curse was removed, I would leave here and find afortable ce in the


    mountain, along the banks of the rivers to live. That was the only thing that seemed tofort me.


    The bell chimed, and the banquet officially began.


    Rufus held my hand and led me to the main table along with the king and queen. The king sat at the


    head of the table wearing his traditional court dress.


    Rufus pulled out a chair like a gentleman and gestured for me to sit down.


    I looked up at him and smiled gratefully. When I was about to sit down, Laura spoke, "Not everyone


    can sit at the main table. A ve belongs in the kitchen. Don''t stain the good wine and dishes on


    the table." Laura raised her ss and took a sip, shooting a disdainful look at me. My body froze; I


    didn''t know where to rest my hands and feet. My face flushed, and I couldn''t contain my


    embarrassment. That was Laura''s sly way of asking me to get out.


    However, Rufus ced his hands on my shoulders and gently thrust me on the chair.


    I couldn''t help but steal a nce at Laura. The anger and hate on her face seemed to embarrass


    me even more. I wished the ground would open and swallow me alive to save me from the


    humiliation.


    Laura snorted and opened her mouth to say something, but Ethan interrupted her.


    "It''s a family dinner today. We don''t have to be too formal. Just sit down and wait for the dishes,"


    Ethan said softly. His voice was hoarse, and he coughed from time to time. Perhaps the rumors


    were true -- it seemed like he was in poor health.


    Laura couldn''t disobey the king''s orders. Therefore, she drank the red wine as she continued to


    shoot daggers at me.


    We were the only ones sitting at the main table. I was sitting with Rufus; Laura and Alina sat


    opposite us. The two were chatting happily.


    I didn''t bother uttering a word or showing my presence in any way after what just happened.


    "Where is Richard?" Rufus suddenly asked.


    The air grew thick with tension. I was confused because it looked like Laura and others didn''t want


    to mention Prince Richard.


    "I was supposed to preside over the army running today." Ethan smiled awkwardly. "But I was not


    feeling well, so I asked your younger brother to do that. He hasn''te back yet."


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    Laura put her ss down, looking a little dissatisfied. "Rufus should be responsible for big events


    like these. You should just postpone the banquet and let Rufus go. How could you let Richard go


    instead?" "When will the dishes be served?" Rufus interrupted Laura.


    Sensing his annoyance, I subconsciously reached out to grab his hand under the table tofort


    him. But soon, I realized it was inappropriate for me to do so. Therefore, I withdrew my hand.


    However, Rufus quickly grabbed my wrist.


    He looked calm andposed; his vice-like grip stopped me from withdrawing my hand. The


    warmth of his fingers seeped into my body.


    Just then, the main dish was served. I looked at the sulent piece of steak and gulped.


    My gaze involuntarily flitted to Alina. She exuded grace and poise. After cleaning her hands, she


    tucked the napkin and gracefully picked the knife and fork.


    It was not until then that I realized I had no clue about dining etiquette.