Chapter 58: 58: Back to Banquet
This banquet event was supposed to be simple.
A simple one-Chapter scene or half a Chapter scene describing the ordinary and boring welcome back banquet held by the Royal family for prince Lysander.
Nothing much.
But now Eden was sure it was escalating to a ten Chapter or more scenes of dramatic twists unfolding.
First, the grand duke and Grand marquis had actually attended the banquet. Probably because of him. Something that never happened in the original storyline.
And now something that happened later in the book under a further timeline was possibly happening now, tonight.
He didn’t know if it was because of him or what.
"Maybe I’m just reaching..." Eden thought "Maybe it’s nothing like that. Maybe she isn’t here to poison them..."
Eden figured he might actually be overthinking. He probably was. Because there was no reasonable reason for it to happen now.
Who was she going to throw the blame on? And it didn’t seem like Cordelia attended the banquet.
Eden wanted himself to believe that. But it didn’t seem easy to believe because he also thought that maybe Queen lea would also put Elvis in trouble with it since he was the one in charge of the drinks.
"That makes sense..." He thought. And it was possibly what would happen.
But then again, Eden thought "What does it have to do with me...?"
He didn’t think he should get involved. If Elvis was going to get in trouble for it, he could face it right? He has always been doing so.
He was a crown prince after all, so he wasn’t going to face anything that harsh Helen would have faced if she was the one to receive such accusations or so.
"He can handle it" Eden said to himself "He’s the Crown prince and the male lead after all. Nothing terrible will happen"
"And maybe I’m actually reaching. Maybe nothing like that will happen. Yes, I’m just reaching " He thought to himself.
And that was actually what he wished to believe. That was what he was concluding while he made his way back into his chamber.
But Eden couldn’t bring himself to do that "He can also be dumb like that female lead and have them walk all over him too..."
He said to himself as he took a deep breath in and out. He slapped a hand over his forehead as he said "I should be paid for being a good villain. I really deserve a raise"
He said as he turned and found himself walking back into the banquet hall.
He was going to handle it himself if possible. Even if it meant changing some plotlines of the original novel.
Besides, it was already changing. So him doing some things wouldn’t mean much.
*******
Eden was in the banquet hall now. His masquerade face mask on.
He looked around, watching the room filled with nobles and all. Everyone had their eyes in a certain direction.
The King was addressing the audience with Queen Lea and Prince Lysander standing at his side.
He was making his grand speech of congratulations to his dear son. And people listened.
Eden looked around. Crown prince Elvis wasn’t around there. He had to look for him.
He wanted to warn him at least. To warn him about a potential impending danger.
And so Eden found himself strolling around the banquet room, walking past nobles while looking for Elvis.
He had gotten to a spot when he suddenly pumped into someone. His head had softly crashed against the hard chest of a tall figure.
"I’m sorry..." He said as he looked up to meet Leo’s eyes on him. He didn’t see that coming.
"I’ll be going" he wanted to turn and leave but Leo gently pulled him by the hand and brought him to the table at the side.
"Where are you running off to? We just met so you should have a drink with me at least" Leo said. Eden could already tell he also recognised him beyond the mask.
What a useless mask. He thought.
"I don’t have time for a chat" Eden said, his eyes running around the hall. He was still looking for Elvis.
"Why? Who are you looking for? The crown prince?" Leo asked as Eden stared at him.
Leo smiled "Don’t worry. I can tell"
"Why would I worry?" Eden asked.
"Sure. Why would you." Leo nodded as he picked up a glass of wine from the table.
Eden stared at it. He didn’t think it was part of the poisoned one. Those were exclusively served. They weren’t ordinarily kept.
"What’s your relationship with the crown prince?" Leo asked, his eyes on Eden while he played with the glass of wine in his hands.
Eden stared at him "Why are you asking?"
"I’m just curious" Leo said.
Eden knew he was curious to know so he would know how to plot ahead with killing him. He already knew these characters.
"Well, nothing much" Eden shrugged, his eyes still running around the room.
"Is that so? Then how did you end up living in the Royal Palace. You don’t look like a royal at all. Nor like a relation" He said.
Eden smiled "Maybe I’m just lucky. One blessed by God"
"Is that so?"
He had recalled he also had to seduce this nerd here. The Grand duke of Enor.
He was also in the plan for his harem. If someone as powerful and brilliant as him was on his side, he was sure he would be safe.
It seemed as though even though he was less powerful compared to the power the crown prince had, he was still more powerful than Elvis with his wits and scheming potential.
He knew his game well. And that was a point for him.
But Eden didn’t even know how he was to begin seducing someone like him. It was a pretty hard quest since he didn’t think he had dated someone of his type before.
Leo’s character too hasn’t even been in a relationship before!
But before he could even think of what next to say, Leo had already spoken.
"I guess the wizard of EL is pretty lucky to get whatever he wants"