bookrandom Chapter 404 The Clown
Chapter 404 The Clown
His Majesty the King came uninvited, and after greeting everyone politely, the elegant music flowed again in the Norda banquet hall at the Queen's signal. The crowd became lively again, and the sound of cups and plates knocking against each other was like a clear spring. Catherine also followed suit and sat down again, leaning on the Queen's lap like a little animal.
The corners of King George's mouth trembled, and he took a deep breath and sat down.
"You look in good spirits, Your Majesty." Catherine lowered her neck, but in fact she didn't even look at him, and no one knew how she saw it.
"...Bishop Quincy has been waiting for you all day, Catherine." This time, King George did not chat with her slowly. Although he was still smiling, his eyes were not so friendly. It was obvious that the waiting was very exhausting, and his mask was not strong enough.
Catherine showed a look of realization. In fact, she knew that there was already an inquiry waiting for her from the king and the church. That was why she went into the palace of Her Majesty the Queen when she arrived at High Court.
"I'm so sorry, uncle." Catherine's voice was full of apology. "The schoolwork is really busy, and I won't be free until the evening. You said that no matter what, I should prioritize studying first."
When he regained some health, he used this reason to take back many jobs and powers from her.
"As soon as I entered the palace, I heard that Her Majesty the Queen had moved back to the palace to spend Hanukkah here, so I hurried over to visit her."
Her Royal Highness spoke in a calm tone, neither humble nor arrogant, which made the King feel that if he mentioned the meeting that she had delayed again, he would be too harsh on the heir, so no sound came from Catherine's upper side.
Sitting between the two men, Tserwini drank a sip of wine leisurely and admired this undercurrent confrontation from a close distance - it was much more exciting than those juggling performances.
"In fact, I am sharing interesting stories about school with my aunt. Do you want to listen, uncle?" The princess raised her beautiful face and looked straight over. The smile at the corner of her mouth was as sharp as a knife. She refused to let him be mute.
“…Hanukkah is coming, Katherine.”
King George felt an itch in his throat. He certainly knew what Catherine wanted to ask. This was also the reason why the bishops came to her. She actually spread those things wantonly! Now there are some rumors in the city, questioning whether Ozler really has those unknown void beasts, questioning whether he knows about it, and why the church is indifferent.
After hearing these things, he was furious. This girl was simply... simply...
Those rebukes that he couldn't say out loud should have been dealt with by the church, but this girl was as slippery as a fish. She kept delaying before, and now finally accepted the invitation and came to Tservini in front of countless nobles!
King George casually grabbed the wine glass on the high table beside him and took a few gulps. He was choked by the strong liquor again. After coughing once, he seemed unable to stop anymore. He covered his mouth and nose and coughed wildly. His pale face turned red again, and the low coughing sound muffled in his sleeves continued. Many nobles who were closer looked over secretly, but seeing that the two most noble ladies of the empire next to them were just watching quietly, no one dared to approach and ask.
The music never stopped. In the distance, people were talking and laughing loudly, dancing and spinning in circles. The king's suppressed trembling seemed like a pantomime, but the people who appreciated this scene the most had been driven back to Ozler by him. Thinking of this, Catherine's smile widened.
"You are now... cough cough... you are now..." George tried to stop coughing, "You are grown up now, Catherine. The Pope and I both want you to host the Hanukkah event this time. You should focus on this, instead of playing some childish games to please those nobles. You are the crown prince, don't continue-"
"Are you referring to the Goletia College Cup?" Catherine blinked innocently. "That's not some childish game, uncle. I like it very much, and so does my aunt."
"Of course, dear." Zerwini was very supportive. As long as it could disgust George, she would definitely respond positively. "I am looking forward to the finals."
King George's face turned pale with fear at the performance of the aunt and nephew.
However, there was no one from the church in front of him, so no matter how many questions he asked, he could only keep them to himself. The atmosphere fell into an eerie silence. Catherine turned her head and chatted with Her Majesty the Queen while watching the performance.
Queen Tseringni always knew how to enjoy herself. The themes of each banquet were different and always novel. This time the theme seemed to be a circus. Countless artists employed in the palace had thick paint on their faces, put on bulging clown costumes, and tried their best to make the adults in front of them laugh.
What on earth does this mean? King George couldn't help but curl his lips.
"I thought you wouldn't like these boring games, Catherine." George's voice sounded softly, and such words made Zelvini glare at him fiercely.
"I think it's very interesting, Your Majesty."
Catherine smiled at a clown in exaggerated clothes in the field, which seemed to give him courage. He walked boldly towards the three royal family members with extremely funny steps. He rummaged in his arms for a long time without success. Finally, he suddenly slapped his forehead as if he was suddenly enlightened, and took out a rose from his crotch and handed it over.
Such offensive and funny behavior made many people nearby burst into laughter.
King George finally felt relieved and looked at Catherine with a smile.
Unexpectedly, there was no sign of annoyance on her face. She just smiled and took it, and even said thank you. Such tolerance seemed to encourage the clown. He became bolder and started to perform in front of the three people.
He was pointing and gesturing in front of the three people with great dignity while performing a pantomime, but no one could understand him for a long time. Someone nearby was even trying to guess what he was acting out. Suddenly, the clown grabbed his own neck and started coughing madly.
King George's smile froze on his face—he was imitating himself.
However, Catherine's tolerance just now made the atmosphere on the scene very good. When the clown imitated him and grabbed the wine glass tremblingly and finally splashed it all over himself, Queen Zelwini burst into uncontrollable laughter. She leaned on Catherine, laughing uncontrollably, and could not hold the wine glass. Catherine hurriedly took it.
After her, the scene erupted into another round of laughter.