They've been waiting for a Main Guest of Honor to come to the event for about half an hour.
Eleanora Winfield and Alice Belmont are seated together on royal-style chairs, with Aarav and another servant standing alongside Eleanora Winfield and Alice Belmont, respectively. The Royal seating arrangement is higher than the ground level, where other Noble families' seats were positioned.
'As far as I can tell, this word is all about power! Your status is everything to you, and you can obtain it either by inheritance from your predecessors or through raw strength,' Aarav pondered deeply.
[You are correct; in a gathering like this, every guest's arrival time is varied based on their family power or individual strength, only to demonstrate their importance.]
'So, Eleanora didn't have as much power as she claimed!' Aarav laughed.
Eleanora became enraged as she can guess that he was laughing at her, and asked, "What is so funny?", to which he shrugged and turned towards Alice, "Miss Alice, there's a woman always gazing at you with such scorn." he quickly shifted the subject by leaning towards Alice, "Do you want me to deal with her?"
"Oh! What can you do, Apprentice Mage, to get her to quit staring at Alice?" Eleanora cut Alice off before she could say anything.
"Triston, Princess Eleanora is correct. She is my stepsister, the Belmont Manor's Eldest Princess. You're no match for her, and she's practically at the Beginner Stage of the Mage class with a magic rank of roughly 25, so leave her alone." Alice murmured, with her face dismal.
'It's not like I want to attack her; all I wanted was to avoid Eleanora's nag. Anyway, I've crossed the threshold of the lesser mage class and am almost ready to embark on the Mage class. So it's not like I'm incapable of winning against her. I only need my lovely Alizeh's assistance, right?' In her head, Aarav inquired curiously.
[...]
[Don't set your sights too high; take small steps.]
Sigh!
"Can't you be a little more supportive for once?" With a dissatisfied expression on his face, Aarav inquired.
[No!]
When a blonde female with long layered hair pulled back to reveal a lean, lived-in face reached their table, Aarav was interrupted in his conversation with Alizeh. "You are looking as gorgeous as ever sister," Alice quickly sprang up and said as she approached us.
"You look so beautiful in this attire, Princess Eleanora," she said as she ignored her greeting and moved up to Eleanora Princess. "Congratulations on Prince Albert's Graduation," she said, raising a glass of wine in greeting. Eleanora responded by raising her glass and saying, "Many thanks to Miss Adelia Belmont." and taking a sip of wine.
She sat down next to Princess Eleanora on the seat where Alice had previously sat, seeing the chance and Princess Eleanora's welcoming gesture. While Aarav and Alice stared at her, speechless.
Later, Alice took a seat in front of Princess Eleanora and proceeded to sip wine and converse with Aarav, who was standing next to him.
Alice developed a reserved disposition and an introverted personality as a result of the many difficulties she faced as a child. She feels out of place on such high-society occasions, which is why she avoids talking to individuals she doesn't know or isn't comfortable with. Even though she first seemed to despise Aarav, she eventually becomes friendly and accepting of him, much to his surprise.
Looking at the scenario when Aarav and Alice were giggling and whispering in each other's ears, it appeared like they had known each other for a long time. Eleanora became annoyed, 'First Anna Gregg, now Alice, Isn't he too much of a playboy for a demon born?' she murmured angrily.
When Alice and Aarav noticed Eleanora's rapid shift in mood, they stopped talking, while Adelia tried to figure out what was going on.
Eleanora was staring at Alice and Aarav as they avoided eye contact with her, creating an awkward quiet at their table.
"Isn't our half-demon getting pretty chummy with Miss Alice Belmont?" said red-haired boy Austen Atwood, breaking the awkward silence. "Congratulations on Prince Albert's graduation, Princess," he added as he raised a glass of wine to Eleanora, to which she nodded.
'It's the first time I'm delighted to see him.' Aarav pondered.
"You should stay away from this half-demon Miss Alice; his very existence is a scourge on Histon Empire." Austen frowned.
Alice clenched her hand in rage and was about to say something when Adelia Belmont, who was sitting next to Eleanora, interrupted her. "She is not a part of our noble Belmont Family, but rather my father's scumbag daughter. Please disregard her rude actions and accept my apologies from Belmont Manor." "Please accept greetings, Sir Austen," Adelia remarked, a disgusted expression on her face as she abruptly turned towards Austen and bowed while holding her dress.
"I have accepted more from you, Miss Alice," he said with a smile as he turned to face Alice.
He didn't care about Adelia or Eleanora; all he cared about was provoking a battle with Aarav and ruining his repute.
"Sir Austen, I appreciate your concern but It is not your position to tell me who I should and shouldn't talk to. I am well aware of what is beneficial to my Belmont Manor "Alice added, her face solemn.
*Chuckle*
Eleanora and Aarav both laughed at her response, and Austen Atwood's face flushed with rage, but before he could respond, one of the attendants shouted, "Prince Albert has arrived."
Everyone jumps up to greet him as he makes his statement, and Austen returns to his seat.