Preparation For Attending a Party part. 2

After trying on and deciding on the attire for the party, Aliester asked his daughter's two maids to take Magdalene back to her room. Meanwhile, he and Lady Cecil chatted briefly in Aliester's study. While enjoying tea and some snacks, they conversed together.

"Thank you for being willing to deliver those clothes for me and Magdalene," Aliester said.

"You're welcome, Your Majesty. I'm very happy to do so. Especially since this is the first party you've attended since the late Queen passed away," Lady Cecil replied.

Aliester sipped his tea while muttering to himself, "To be honest, this is the first party I've ever attended in my life."

"I hope I know how to dance. Time is very short, and there's no way to prepare!"

"Moreover, there's a possibility I'll have to dance with the daughter of Earl Ventela. I refuse!!!"

He wanted to say all that out loud, but it was impossible. It would only make everyone realize he wasn't the real Aliester.

With the teacup in hand, he sipped his tea to calm himself, smiling thinly and saying confidently, "Ahahaha, thank you very much. This might be the first party I've attended in a long time."

"I hope I don't draw too much unnecessary attention."

Lady Cecil placed her teacup back down, seeming to want to start a serious conversation.

"Your Majesty…"

"Yes?"

"I apologize if I'm being too forward, but I want to know why you accepted the invitation from Earl Ventela," Lady Cecil asked.

Aliester placed his teacup down and asked in return, "Shouldn't I have accepted it?"

"I-I mean..." Lady Cecil hesitated.

"Calm down, I'm asking because I want to hear your opinion, Lady Cecil. My head butler, Ryan, also said the same thing." Aliester explained his genuine reason, "To be honest, I wanted to decline it. But considering the circumstances, it might be difficult."

"Do you know that they came in the morning without any prior notice, right after I finished my breakfast?"

"That's really uncomfortable." Lady Cecil looked slightly downcast. She felt the discomfort of the situation. The king was uncomfortable with the guest's arrival, the king didn't want to attend the party, it was clear.

"But," Aliester continued, "making them come to the point of being pushy...if I decline, I'll get a reputation as a king with terrible etiquette."

"So, you're attending because–"

"Ahahaha, no, no. I'm attending so I won't receive similar invitations again. Besides, I don't want to draw unnecessary attention."

Initially, Lady Cecil hesitated to say this, but eventually, she spoke up. "Your Majesty, I'm sure you remember what Earl Ventela has been like all this time."

"Yes?" Aliester made a face as if he understood. However, he replied to Lady Cecil's statement with a confused tone, but it seemed to go unnoticed. To cover it up, he responded again, "Is there something you want to tell me, Lady Cecil?"

"Earl Ventela is like someone who has no manners."

"Maybe it's not suitable for me to say this, given my lower noble status compared to him, but fellow nobles also have their own opinions, and Earl Ventela is one of the worst."

"..."

"..." Both Ryan and Aliester himself could only listen. They clearly agreed with her statement.

"Ever since Her Majesty Queen Helene passed away, they quickly tried to get close to Your Majesty, and for some reason, they never miss any noble gatherings."

"They dare to host parties every two weeks to show off their high noble status, which is really unpleasant."

"Moreover..." Lady Cecil sipped her tea first and continued her speech, "Do you know what Lady Bernadette says every time the Ventela Family hosts a party?"

Aliester's curiosity was piqued, "Yes? What?" Of course, Ryan, who was listening, couldn't hide his curiosity either. It was evident from his serious gaze at the moment.

"Lady Bernadette says that the kingdom has a special relationship with Earl Ventela."

"Those who hear her say that assume Earl Ventela will arrange a marriage between Lady Bernadette and Your Majesty."

"..."

"..." Neither of them could say anything. It was already expected that such a rumor would circulate, and Aliester's presence tonight would only make the rumor stronger.

"I'm not saying Your Majesty made a wrong decision, but I hope tonight doesn't make the bad rumors spread even more," Lady Cecil said.

Aliester smiled, "Thank you for your concern."

"I won't make things worse. Besides, I'll be attending with the most beautiful woman in all of Rumanier, right?"

"The most...ah!"

"Yes. My daughter is the most beautiful, and no one can surpass her. Even..." Aliester's expression slightly teased with a soft laugh, "Maybe Lady Cecil is also less beautiful compared to her. Ahahaha~"

Lady Cecil chuckled, "Ahaha, you're right. The young princess is very beautiful, just like the late Queen."

"It seems I don't have to worry. Thank you very much, Your Majesty."

"You're welcome."

After some more casual conversation, Lady Cecil finally left. Ryan was ordered to escort Lady Cecil back, so only Aliester remained in his room now. He looked serious now.

"Aliester is being paired up by weird rumors..."

"But if that's the case, then my task as the current Aliester is to dispel all those rumors."

"Besides, getting married isn't easy. Why should I marry a woman I don't like?"

Aliester thought for a moment, "Magdalene might still be feeling lonely now because she hasn't fully forgotten her mother, Queen Helene."

"As a father, I need to consider her feelings."

"Alright! This party is just for show, and the rest is just acting."

"I'll use all my luck to avoid embarrassing Aliester."