D

As luck would have it, she was placed beside "her beloved" Sam. He seemed to enjoy talking to Scarlet. Scarlet would never reject a pretty face so they got along just fine.

Suddenly, a hush fell upon the banquet. Scarlet glanced up and saw that the Crown Prince was at the centre of everyone's attention. She only noticed Vance as the noble girls beside her were gushing giddily like fan girls. She was poking around her food and stuffing it in her face when she felt a gaze in her direction.

Lei's? She saw Lei winking at her as she stood beside her brother. Vance glanced at her and turned his head away.

In disgust? She turned to look at Sam who smiled.

"Is it me or does Vance seem to have a personal vendetta against me?" Scarlet asked innocently enough.

"Oh, it's not you. He just hates everyone," Sam reassured her.

"That's reassuring, coming from a fellow resident from that ivory tower," Scarlet lifted her tea cup and took a sip with an amused smile.

"Ah, don't associate me with that. I'm not quite rich enough," Sam drank his wine and Scarlet gave him are you kidding look as she pointed to his exorbitantly-priced glass.

"Hand me downs from Vance," Sam nodded with a penitent look and Scarlet giggled. She glanced up and saw annoyed looks from Vance.

Recalling what he swore to do, she leaned closer to Sam who genuinely seemed at ease with her.

Finally getting right on track, Scarlet. The system alerted her with a push notification that she couldn't ignore. Eh, you don't have to snarky about it, Scarlet retorted in her head and leaned closer to Sam.

Suddenly, there was a commotion in front. Vance had stood up abruptly. And all eyes were on him, naturally. They never once left him. Scarlet pulled her gaze over slowly and she saw Vance straightening his top. He did look good, in a very clean and pristine manner. Almost, otherworldly, in fact. He was just too, too perfect.

"I have a request to make of Lei's mentor. We all know she's highly skilled in all musical instruments, I would like to request a performance from her...." Vance started in a clear voice that caused quite a stir. Eyes followed as he made his way to Scarlet and before long, he was right in front of her, between Sam and her. He lowered his head to look at her squarely before inquiring, "Which she wouldn't refuse, right?"

Scarlet was fixing her eyes on him now, alright. Way to go, Crown Prince. Almost forgotten about you and your moves.