"Please, this is a special occasion! We're here to celebrate the kingdom choosing an heir apparent. Why bother bringing up old stories?" Lorenzo said.
"It's precisely because the integrity of the Hawken Household is under question that we've come to help straighten him out," one explained with smiles.
"You don't have to worry about this. Our father has already punished him appropriately. That is, unless you're questioning the Hawken patriarch's methods too?" Lorenzo replied sharply. The nobles snorted. With Lorenzo here, their fun was spoiled so they left. "And you… What were you thinking there?" Lorenzo turned to his brother. "What were you thinking putting your hand on your sword? You're lucky that they didn't notice. If they did, it would be a massive problem!"
"I…" Benedict was at a loss.
Lorenzo shook his head. "Father is already keeping a close eye on you. I can't always be here to watch over you. You need to strengthen your mentality more."
"I understand, brother," he said sadly.
"As long as you do."
As they finished talking, a large commotion was heard near the entrance. Benedict and Lorenzo walked over, as did Kalasena, Archibon, and Fredrick. Everyone gathered to see a luxurious carriage pull up decorated with red and gold. The proud symbol of the Royal Family was etched on the side! Trumpets sounded her arrival as steps and a carpet was placed. Sir Winstin dismounted his horse, wearing his traditional plate armor. Many youths looked up to him for his legendary reputation and prowess. His feats were nearly unmatchable. However, others scoffed in their minds. He failed to protect King Harth and Lord Korogin. What use did he have if he could not do his own duty?
When the carriage doors opened, everyone focused on the two ladies stepping out. The first was wearing a crimson red dress, resembling a rose in full bloom, with her hair done up beautifully. A glamorous golden crown was shimmering on her head. Her deep blue eyes scanned across the crowd until it fell upon Benedict. She lit up in joy. Naturally, this girl was Princess Elizabeth, the current heir apparent. On the other hand, the lady accompanying her was shocking. She was an older lady with a modest dress and simple adornments. However, her natural beauty subtly revealed itself to impress many. Her identity was Lady Christina Kalmar, the late Lord Korogin's cousin!
The information revolving around New Havens was still a secret. By large, the public, including the nobility, had no idea on Elizabeth's origin. All the Royal Family released was that she was King Harth's daughter, personally chosen to inherit the throne by the late king. Everything else, such as Christina acting as her aunt, was unknown. Therefore, the fact that the Highguard Household, one of the top Grand Nobility Households, had chaperoned Elizabeth revealed that their relationship was extremely close! Everyone's gaze towards Lady Christina changed. This was extremely important information! Immediately, people were sent to report to their various families.
At the same time, everyone focused on Elizabeth with incisive glares. For a girl of common birth to stand above them, could they stand it? Of course not! These youths were used to arrogantly looking down on commoners. Their authority made them feel like royalty! Their glares gradually turned hostile, forming into a strong aura of oppression that slammed down on Elizabeth! They wanted to crush her body and mind! Elizabeth felt slightly uncomfortable facing everyone's attention, but she soon smiled. She had completely brushed it off!
How could they compare against the sharpened pressure of the Royal Assembly or the millions of citizens during her ceremony? Compared to them, these youths were nothing more than brats! Lorenzo was impressed, as were others. Her training had not been fruitless! Although the youths here were young and inexperienced, their combined aura was not something anyone could shrug off. Everyone had a change in expression again as they grimaced. Neither side exchanged words, but a thousand things were racing through their minds. The battle had already started!
Elizabeth continued smiling while sighing inwardly. As if she could change so much so quickly! If she could, then it would be truly terrifying! Her performance could barely be considered passable. She understood Queen Bethnal's intentions well. The queen wanted her to gain real-world experience and pacify the Grand Nobility. It was undoubtedly a test for her! Elizabeth had to use everything she learned and more to pass tonight! Her nerves were as taut as could be. Unfortunately, her anxiety was easily sensed by more astute individuals, such as Lord Fredrick.
Three figures stepped out from the crowd. The boy in front said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Princess Elizabeth. On behalf of the Grand Nobility, it is an honor for Your Highness to grace us with your presence."
Elizabeth searched through her memories in a hurry before recognizing them. "The feeling is mutual, Lord Fredrick, Lady Kalasena, and Lord Archibon." As the brightest stars of their generation, it was natural to be the representatives of the Grand Nobility.
"You are too humble," he replied. "Please, come inside."
She nodded and walked behind the three. Sir Winstin and Lady Christina accompanied her. As Elizabeth passed Benedict, the two locked eyes for an instant. There was sadness but also joy. Sadness that their paths seemed to diverge, but also joy that they could see each other once more. Neither thought it went deeper than that. Although the rumors about the two were wild and heated, Elizabeth and Benedict did not feel the same. As much as she wanted to stop and catch up, she knew better. If she did, then the rumors would grow more vivid. Neither Elizabeth nor Benedict was able to handle any more criticisms. So, she decided to simply smile and moved on.
Inside the hall, nobles came up one after another to express their greetings. They brought gifts to honor her future ascension to the throne. Each of these gifts were extraordinarily rare and precious artifacts one could not find without sufficient status or authority! That was right… It was not only a battle between the Grand Nobility and the heir apparent, but also between themselves! It was hard enough to find an occasion where they would all be present. This was the perfect chance to flaunt their wealth and one up each other. Moreover, if they gained Elizabeth's favor, who knew what benefits it would bring? At the very least, they would not lose for it!
Elizabeth tried her best and greeted everyone by their names. She practiced very hard for this moment. How easy was it to memorize every youth's face of the Grand Nobility? Each household had a main family and several side families. Accounting for every family, there were more than a hundred youths! This simple task had caused plenty of headaches and worries. She was exhausted; however, her effort was rewarded! Everyone was correctly identified and left no room for complaints. No one could find a thing to fault her with.
Fredrick walked up and bowed, "Your Highness, I propose a fun little event to liven this celebration up. What does Your Highness think of this?"
Elizabeth instantly became alert. As she expected, the previous tests were nothing but warmups. The true trap of the Grand Nobility was laid here! She spoke slowly, "What does Lord Fredrick have in mind?"
He smiled. "Your Highness is truly understanding."
This caused Elizabeth to snort inside. She grasped the hidden meaning in his words perfectly. He meant that they would force her to participate by any means necessary! However, that was just as well. Elizabeth was not one to shy away from a challenge!
"On behalf of the Grand Nobility, I propose a simple challenge. Whichever side wins the best out of five tests is the winner. Is that satisfactory, Your Highness?"
"And what will the tests be based on?" Elizabeth replied.
"They will be strategy, economics, music, painting, and literature. Since we are many and Your Highness is one, you can have the right to choose whichever order you wish to do the tests in."
Elizabeth frowned. This was not easy. Each of these subjects were deep and profound. Of course, she was educated in them, but how much could she learn? It could easily take a lifetime to just scratch the surface! And that was just for one subject! To best these nobles in three of the five subjects would be a real challenge. On the side, Christina and Benedict were also worried. To be plotted against by the entire nobility was a scary thought! One small slipup was enough to cause a whirlwind of trouble.