The prodigal son

Outside the Simpsons' mansion, some luxurious carriages were already parked, which belonged to the wealthy families who had attended the soiree.

The weather was cooler, as the sun had long hidden itself behind the clouds. The sky was clear, with no signs of rain. But since it was the time of year when it rained more in Greyforest, one should not be deceived by its present condition.

On one hand, inside the Simpsons' mansion, which was filled with both men and women of elite families chatting amongst themselves and the ladies getting the latest gossip, Lady Claudette craned her neck from time to time to look outside.

"You have been looking outside for some time now. Are you waiting for someone?" A husky voice asked from behind her.

Tilting her head to the side with irritation marring her face, she readied to shun the person, as she expected it to be one of the men who have been trying to woe her since she stepped inside the mansion.

"Oh! Mr. Simpson." Claudette greeted him, turning fully to face the gentleman. Her once-irritated façade is now masked with a polite smile. "Please pardon my rudeness for not coming to greet you earlier. I thought I'd wait with the other ladies flocking around you." She said it with fake modesty.

He chuckled lightly. "How very thoughtful of you."

When Claudette's eyes wandered to a group of women chatting, she met eyes with her mother, who wore a proud smile on her face as if secretly telling her that she was doing great.

She felt the urge to roll her orbs at her mother's flattery, but instead she offered Mr. Simpson a pretentious, sweet smile.

'Better use him to pass time until his majesty comes.' Her smile grew even wider at the thought.

"You seem particularly happy today." Mr. Simpson commented.

She met his gaze with her smile still on. "Yes indeed, Mr. Simpson."

"You are too polite. Please just call me Adam. Our parents are way past acquaintances, so I don't think it's inappropriate." He nodded in one direction, and the lady maneuvered her head to see what he was trying to say.

They watched both Mr. Simpson and Mr. Lewis laugh heartily at what each other said. Claudette returned her gaze to Adam, whose eyes were still trained on the duo.

She wondered if his parents had told him the same thing her parents told her, or if being nice to everyone was just his nature. In anyways she had nothing to worry about because she didn't plan on marrying any man that wasn't King Theodore.

A faint blush appeared on the lady's cheek on time for Adam to catch, and he smiled warmly at her, probably getting the wrong idea.

"Adam it is then." She agreed in a friendly tone.

There is no doubt that Claudette was a fine lady to behold. She could appear delicate when playing nice.

But a conceited person was who she actually was. One who could go to all ends to get what she wants—how pathetic if not brave!

"Would you love to tour the mansion with me?"

She craned her neck once again to get a view of the outside, only to let out a defeated sigh when she caught no sight of the king's carriage coming.

"Sure." A subtle hint of annoyance stung her voice. "Please lead the way." Once those words of acceptance left Claudette's lips, there was no taking them back.

It was at the same time they stepped out of the room that the royal carriage arrived.

His presence was announced, and there was a silent uproar at his entrance into the soiree. Ladies and gentlemen paid respect to their king, while a few others aimed not only at showing him respect but also getting his attention.

"Your majesty." Theodore saw both the Simpsons' and Lewis' elders make their way towards him with pride. They bowed before the king since their pride had to be placed aside when it came to the vampire king.

"It's so great to have you here." Marquee Simpson acknowledged as he led the king to a seat that had been prepared in the corner of the room.

"Well, how could I refuse such a peculiar invitation?" He flattered them with his words, and the couple chuckled.

"It really is one." Agreed Mr. Lewis, with a smile.

Theodore nodded. "Where is your prodigal son?" He offered a toothy smile at the Simpsons.

Their excitement about the king showing up dimmed, and a stressed look appeared in the marchioness eyes. But Marquee Simpson managed to not show any reaction to the king's words.

"P-prodigal son?" The marchioness said with a titter following suit, making it appear that his majesty was only joking.

"Ha! Adam is nothing close to a prodigal son." Mrs. Lewis commented, and the Simpsons could not agree more. Ignorant to the thick air forming around the topic, she opened her mouth to add another comment but stopped when a hand was placed at the small of her back.

By now, their conversation had peaked a few people's interest enough for them to want to eavesdrop.

Theodore shifted his gaze toward her. "I was listening; why did you stop?" He was no longer smiling at them when he turned to the marquee to interrogate, "How is the court's business in the south doing?"

Marquee Simpson cleared his throat before answering, "It has been doing great. The payments of the peasants were spent wisely."

There was a scary glimmer in Theodore's eyes as he chimed in, "Or did you mean spent gambling? Because that's not the information I received."

Marchioness Simpson's nervous gaze swept the room to find everyone watching them.

To settle the peasants in the south who were experiencing a short drought in their land, King Theodore entrusted the matter to the marquee's son so that he could prove how capable he was.

"No tha—"

"Now I'm the liar?" Theodore smiled at him, one that didn't reach his eyes.

It was just a smile, but it didn't sit well with the marquee. No, it didn't sit well with everyone who had started paying attention.

The marquee fell on his knees immediately. "Milord, forgive me for my improper words." He begged distraughtly, not minding the many eyes that watched him.

"Tsk! Tsk! Don't you think you are forgetting something?"

"Your Majesty I-I..."

"Save it." Theodore deadpanned. "Who knew you would cover up for the stunt your dear son pulled back in the south? If he gambled with the funds and you are lying about it, we can decide both your punishments in court."

His eyes scanned the guests of the Simpsons, finding them watching the scene with a dumbfounded expression on their faces, before his scrutiny found the shadow of the person he was looking for sneaking out of the soiree.

"Le—"

He stood up, silencing the marquee's words, "That's enough show for today. Don't you think?" Turning to the guests, he commented, "This is a soiree; why are you all acting like someone died? Unless you want a dead body, carry on with the celebration." He grinned before walking out of the soiree.

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