The two moved to join the other noble fairies as Peony calmly watched over a few nobles she was very familiar with. She was unsure how Malleus would deal with them and as expected...
"Oh! Is that the artifact that princess crafted for the prince? That is quite an interesting piece!"
"May we have a better look at it?"
As the fairies pestered him for the beautiful belt of butterflies, thorns and flowers she had made, Malleus hesitated much to her confusion. Naturally, he should already know that the fairies are scheming against him, right? Is he perhaps confused why they want to do something that could endanger their lives? However, Malleus merely smiled, "It is the artifact. However, I'm surprised the nobles here aren't familiar with this. If you wanted to witness my power first hand, you really should have just asked."
Hearing this, one of them stepped back in shock as the others remained in their spot but a little taken aback.
"W-We simply wanted to look at the artifact-"
His words sent a shockwave throughout the halls as Malleus questioned in confusion, "However, if you wanted to look at the artifact, that would mean I need to take it off and show it, correct? I hesitated because I did not want to cause a disturbance on such a festive event that I was kindly invited to. Yet, I also don't want to disappoint you especially since you went out of your way to chat with me. The only problem is that this is a piece commissioned by our royal families for this special occasion. Hm... Perhaps those from Briar Valley are not welcomed here?"
Peony huffed in disappointment. It seems even she can no longer stand by in the end. He just had to bring in their kingdoms' relations into question…
How curious...
From afar, his behaviour and speech greatly resembles her dear sister, but who knew that this child would be as childish as Mo Li was. Mo Li was much cuter as a child. Even as she grew up, she still retained her cuteness along with a cute set of teeth sharper and tougher than Little Jun's. Perhaps he's dragon form bore any resemblance to her's?
Just the thought of it calmed her mind. However...
What a hassle...
Disappointed, she walked over as she responded with a laugh, "Hah! Hardly true. The king and queen were eager to greet Briar Valley's royal family. Our family has felt gratitude for the queen's aid ever since I was a small child and has not forgotten the aid we received all the years prior. I apologize for interrupting your conversation. I had initially thought you were enjoying yourselves. I did not imagine some of our people would suddenly dare to desire something from your possession. It is quite unusual that the people the queen entrusted to join us on this celebration would suddenly desire for something nearing the end of such an important event of the year. However, I wonder..."
She whispered over to the fairies shoulders as she walked past them, "What would the king and queen think should they learnt that the gala prepared by the queen herself was ruined just by the greed of a few innocent people and infront of envoys from Briar Valley at that?"
Hearing this, the group paled in fear before quickly excusing themselves timidly. With the guys leaving hurriedly, Peony grumbled, "Well, you aren't the crown prince for nothing. You even dragged me into it."
"This matter is the responsibility of your kingdom." Malleus huffed in dismay, "Was it fun?"
"Did it look like fun?" She crossed her arms, "These things are very annoying. All a person has to do is do what they are told. Be smart and do what they are told and what they believe is right. However, if this is what they think is right, I am now curious how that came to be... Are you interested in such topics, Prince Malleus?"
Malleus scowled as he narrowed his brows, "It is not within my field of interests. Rather, I would be more interested in the gargoyles of Ramshackle dorm."
"Ah, I recall that dorm far away from the others." She nodded, "A person who enjoys observing and deciphering that of the past. It is quite an interesting hobby. However, your highness, if I may share a short advice..."
Malleus nodded as she stated her words, "Even if a place's past is all the more glorious and warm to the eyes and hearts of others. Do not let others' bright happiness of the past blind you from moving forward, unless you have the resolve to see it through before entering the illusion."
She sighed and continued, "My parents are waiting for me. You should also go back with Lilia."
"Sir, would you like a drink?"
They were interrupted by a strange large fae presenting a glass of juice and berries. Before Malleus could make his choice, Peony smiled before reaching over and picking the drink, but, in doing so, she accidentally knocked the bowl of berries on the ground. Peony gave a small apologetic smile as she responded, "Oh my! My apologies, it seems all that dancing have made me lose my balance. Hah, what a waste of such nice looking fruits too. Ah, can someo-"
"I-It's quite all right, your highness! I'll clean it up quickly!" The fae responded hurriedly before magically taking away the dropped berries.
Once gone, Lilia hurriedly approached Malleus with a narrow gaze at the waiter that was rushing past him as Peony continued to smile and stated one word, "Robin."
Almost immediately, the fae vanished from sight as Peony drank half of her juice with a look of disappointment as she licked her lips seductively, "Hm... It's not bad. But the preparation is so clumsy. You can even taste the petals of the Moly. They should have strained the petals at least… Hah…. How upsetting..."
Swirling the cup in her hand, she feigned a sigh before walking away, "You should return to your seat now. Otherwise, father and mother would worry if we disappear for long. Although, I do apologize for having ruined your refreshments so rudely."
"Wha-!" Lilia cried out at her in alarm and wanted her to vomit it back out.
However, Peony only dragged the two back to their seats as she seated herself next to her father with a wide smile, "Your majesty, how is the festivities? Her majesty worked tirelessly to make it a success for everyone, after all."
The king nodded with a huff, "It is naturally a wonderful gala. I see that even the envoys have enjoyed themselves amongst the festivities tonight! The queen has outdone herself especially well this year."
He turned to her a gripped both her hands passionately, "However, you must also be attentive of your health, dear. If I had not had to remain in the castle, I would aid you in the preparations myself!"
"Oh my..." The queen blushed.
Again with the romantic drama...
Feeling rather annoyed, Peony bit back a disgusted heavy sigh and was about to take another sip from her glass but was stopped by the emperor with a frown as he questioned her, "Where did you get that glass?"
Peony paused in confusion, "From a servant earlier. Though I must apologize. Thinking about it now, he seemed to have been offering the refreshments to his highness. I must have displayed rather rudely to our guests by taking them."
The king seemed to have leaked a dismayed expression for a second before it returned to his normal calm behaviour as he scolded her, "Princess, you are no longer a child. I apologize for the princess's rudeness and our lack of security, Prince Malleus. As for that, we will look into it, right away."
"Ah- I-It's all right." Malleus responded rather surprised and confused only to realize that he had cracked his voice just now and the words he used was rather curt, "The princess had already expressed her apologies."
Aside from that, it was only a simple refreshment. However, the word Moly sounded familiar. Was it a type of flower? The queen raised a brow curiously in surprise while the king simply nodded his head, "I see... Thank you... Despite what happened, I hope the rest of the festivities was to your liking?"
"It was quite fun!" Malleus smiled having regained his composure.
Seeing this, Peony remained curious as to his quick recovery. The child of the dragons, whom she imagined to have been rather weak to such shifts in the play, had quickly recovered his wits and did not blow up in anger as she would have suspected. If it had been like this, perhaps, she should have left the case in his hands and left the area. However, that wasn't the case. To be honest, she was rather disappointed. Not only did she not get to see him do anything unusual, but he had also managed to drag her into this game of tug of war. Perhaps, if this had not been the gala that her mother had put her effort into making, she would've teased him a little more. Perhaps the next time she holds the spring gala...
Next time?
She paused in bewilderment and shook her head. There is no next time. Even if she were invited to a few more Spring Gala, there will not be another held by her. This would be her last time.
There will be no next time.