Elf Princesses

Episode 22's. Banqueting

Ethan was silent and looked at the two women in front of the mirror. The man walked up to Rubby and bowed respectfully. "Since His Majesty already knows my name, then I don't need to introduce myself." Ethan put his hand in front of his chest. "Greetings, Empress Rubby" said Ethan.

Rubby can only smile, a few moments before Zac left, he had already told Rubby that there would be a bodyguard he assigned to guard him. But Rubby doesn't think the bodyguard is Ethan.

"Please ask for his help, Sir Ethan" said Rubby. On the other hand, Jeina could only bow silently before the man. Sir Ethan was one of Zac's confidants after Edward. Then his rank was definitely higher than her. So thought Jeina.

Rubby looked at Jeina with a trembling body before the man. Naturally, Ethan was a line of bodyguards with considerable strength in the palace. He is the spoils of war from the next country, and Zac immediately makes him a bodyguard because Ethan is a prisoner who managed to leak the secrets of the kingdom that rebelled on Zac.

I don't know what made Zac believe it. But I'm sure an Emperor's choice won't be wrong. Ruby frowned for a moment. "You can go back to your place, I'll call you if needed" Rubby said calmly.

"Good." Ethan answered briefly, with his sturdy posture, he turned around and returned to his own room.

"Bright.." Jeina let out a heavy sigh, "Finally she's gone too! Really, I'm so depressed!" exclaiming Jeina honest.

Rubby took a small look, he then continued to make up because soon was the time to meet with the nobles.

****

Palace Park..

Rubby, Jeina, and Ethan who were ready to stand guard behind Rubby had arrived at the palace garden. There were already a lot of chairs and tables that were big enough there, as well as green tea which of course Rubby chose from a good source, because he also asked Zac for recommendations before he prepared all this.

Rubby's arrival was not welcomed by noble women who had come first. They were acting indifferent and chatting to each other on their own.

"Are you blind?" Sir Ethan frowned and looked at the women. His gaze that was so intimidating made them gulp roughly. "Oh, it turns out that our Empress has come, huh?" they say it without the slightest respect.

Jeina bit her lower lip, how upset she was with the careless attitude of nobles to an empress like Rubby.

"Oh, look, it turns out that His Majesty really likes to be near lowly people like them, huh? One was a lowly servant who had no status at all, and the other one was not a war booty from the other country huh?" the scorn that began to appear and shown to Rubby made the woman could no longer bear to just be quiet.

"Ethan, Jeina, take a few steps back from my position" Rubby said.

Ethan only nodded slightly, he and Jeina retreated a few steps away from Rubby's current position.

Rubby walked calmly, he then occupied his seat and sighed violently. "Thank you that the ladies and gentlemen are ready to come to my banquet."

They looked at each other, and chuckled behind the cynical smile given to Rubby.

However, unknowingly a woman suddenly raised a voice. "Oh, Your Highness, look at the necklace that is related to your neck! Isn't that a necklace from the land of the Wolfs? The largest producer of diamonds and gold?"

Rubby looked at her necklace and smiled faintly. He should not be surprised by the woman's speech because indeed Zac's status is not playing games, he is an 'Emperor'.

"Is this necklace so attractive to you?" Rubby smiled thinly. Instantly the noble lady showed her gaze at Rubby with her eyes clear.

"I have a lot of diamonds like this. At the next banquet, maybe I can share some for you." Rubby bargained that instantly made them whisper.

"There's no harm, right? after all, she was already the empress now. With us approaching it maybe we can get a lot of benefits like this," whispered whispers that began to rumble in Rubby's ears made the woman smile again.

"Oh yeah, by the way. Since then, you guys haven't greeted me, have you?" Rubby said softly as he sipped his green tea. The women then fell silent and swallowed his coarse saliva.

"Pardon us, Your Majesty" they said in a soft tone.

"We won't repeat it. That's right, isn't it?" said one of the baroness' mistresses to another noble.

In addition, there was a girl who brushed her dress with a look of annoyance. Who else if not Miss Slynie, one of the noble daughters who is quite famous because she is indeed a beautiful lady of high class society.

"By the way, Miss Slynie. what banquet do you think I'm lacking so you've just been quiet?" Rubby displays a guilty look that is of course just pretended. Suddenly the girl immediately looked at Rubby and shook her head. "N-no."

She's the psychopathic girl Rubby met at the wedding, so why did she shrink when she faced Rubby again today? The answer is due to yesterday's events that almost gave up her noble status. He is scolded by his family for his actions that disgrace the family's good name. And the news spread with a long time, about 1 day more, and became a warm conversation of the nobles.

"Thank God, I guess someone didn't like my first banquet." Rubby smiled faintly, the smile managed to make them all fall silent and enjoy the green tea that had been provided.

Long enough for Rubby to stay at the banquet, he was finally able to rest peacefully in his room.

"Thank you Jeina, Sir Ethan." Rubby said. Both of them nodded and returned to their respective places.

Today was a pretty exhausting day for Rubby. The woman took off the jewelry that was on her body and lay down on her bed. Not to forget he also stretched his stiff finger muscles.

"I'll be back tomorrow" Rubby said, covering his body with a blanket.

***

Not felt, it was late. After soaking in the warm water, Rubby sprayed the rose-flavored perfume and sat on the edge of his bed to wait for dinner to be provided in his room.

"Please enjoy it, Your Majesty" said two waiters who came and served dinner and fruits to wash their mouths.

They left after they finished serving food to Rubby. It was calm to eat food while looking at the sky through the window right next to Rubby's bed, let alone the service of the servants who had slowly begun to respect and appreciate his presence. He is grateful to be able to adapt well in the human world.

But sometimes Rubby thinks of something else. How are the conditions in the elf world? is anyone worried about him? But the answer is definitely no, because Rubby has no one but his best friend who has lost communication since he was locked up alone without anyone approaching him.

"Huft.I obviously don't want to be too comfortable in the human world, and I'm self-aware of my origins. But.." in retrospect, there was no point in also longing for the memories of the past. Memories? Ah, what memories should Rubby remember when he was a kid? Memories about him being locked up? Dumped? Rubby shouldn't care about the real world.

After he finished eating, Rubby went to the window and closed the open curtain, then returned to his bed and turned off the lantern next to his bed.

"Good sleep, Rubby" Rubby told himself. He fell asleep because he was too tired this morning.