Chapter 222
Shawn and Magnus excitedly scrambled in, plopping down on the low stools; after grabbing the meat Leanna handed them, they mumbled a quick “Thanks!” and immediately devoured it, foregoing any small talk.
Garbisch was on the verge of collapsing; if Nolan hadn’t steadied him onto the low stool, he would have fallen headfirst. “Jessica…” he pleaded, his desperate gaze finally finding his sister.
Garbisch wondered, ‘What the hell is this? Is it some mingling event between the Yates family and Leon House, just eating and drinking together like old
friends?‘
Exasperated, Jessica Yates rolled her eyes and said, “This guy just won’t leave what am I supposed to do?” Then, she sat down next to Leanna.
me,
lette
Leon called out to Jessica, “Come sit with r
s chat!” Jessica, without a glance in his direction, instead sat beside Leanna.
Leanna laughed heartily, then said, “Jessica, Leon wants you to join them–you young folks have more fun together, so don’t feel you need to keep me
company.”
“Leanna, he’s the same age as you. There’s nothing young about him.” She thought with a scoff, ‘He’s tall and massive–built like an ox.
Leon quickly retorted, “Hey, but I’m the junior here!”
Leanna laughed, adding, “Exactly! A junior is a junior–just a young thing, like you.”
Jessica huffed softly, remaining silent as she poured wine, only to have an empty bowl abruptly shoved in front of her.
Jessica glared at him. “What, are your hands broken?”
Leon smiled faintly and said, “I’ll take whatever wine you’re serving.”
Jessica, barely concealing her eye roll, retorted, “I can’t be bothered by you.”
Shawn crammed the meat into his mouth, wiped his hands, and snatched another bottle of wine, mumbling through a mouthful, “Y–Your Highness… I’ll
pour…”
“Hey Shawn, don’t talk with your mouth full–you’ll make a mess!” Monica said, wrinkling her nose.
Shawn mumbled through a mouthful of food, “S–Sorry…”
‘They seemed like one big, happy family. But did their bond truly qualify as such? The ease and naturalness of their interactions certainly gave that impression; the three ladies, especially, doted on Leon!‘ Waldo thought.
Waldo suddenly felt isolated; the hall buzzed with people eating and drinking, but he stood alone, excluded from the festivities.
After what felt like forever, Waldo, the only one left standing in the packed hall, finally caught someone’s eye. Garbisch was so surprised he almost choked on his meat. “P–Prince Waldo! You’re still here?” Garbisch stammered. He didn’t notice him at all.
Garbisch was stunned to see Leon casually eating as he walked in. As Leon mingled with everyone, eating and drinking, Garbisch became fixated entirely on this “Demon King,” unable to focus on anything else.
It took an embarrassingly long moment for anyone to notice Garbisch was still in the hall, but no one except him seemed willing to give Waldo even a second glance.
Garbisch wondered, ‘The ladies instantly despised Prince Waldo. His affair with Priscilla abandoning their beloved Jessica for the daughter of a traitor was scandalous. He was an offensive sight. And he dared expect them to offer him grilled meat? The sheer audacity!
‘Leanna would have kicked His Highness out long ago if it weren’t for the complications his royal status would cause. Looks like I’m the only one pretending to welcome Prince Waldo. But who am I kidding? I don’t want him here either.’
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Chapter 222
Despite his reservations, Garbisch, with a forced sme and a sense of decorum, reluctantly invited, “Your Highness, would you care to join us
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