The large dinning hall

Jess was panting when she entered the ballroom, her eyes darting around the room as if looking for someone. To her relief, she saw her parents sitting among other guests after exploring the castle.

It was dinner time, and some guests, including her parents, had moved from the ballroom to the large dining hall to have their meals and fill their taste buds with delicious food.

The servants, dressed in loose floor-length gowns, maneuvered through the crowd of men and women, swinging their bodies to the rhythm of the music with trays of diverse delicacies that Jess had never seen before.

Mia was still dancing with the man she saw earlier and seemed to be having a good time. She wondered if her sister enjoyed the company of this gentleman more than the company of Alexandra because of the way she cracked up with laughter as if he just said the funniest thing anyone had said.

Jess went to where her parents were to join them for dinner. Her mouth watered at the sight of different dishes across the table, and she could not wait to taste each of them; even though she had her fill at Magros Epic, there was still space for more.

Darling, have I told you how stunning you look this evening?

Michael Smith complimented, and she could feel the blush creeping up her face and bowed her head. Jess was brave and had a great sense of justice for those oppressed, but she was shy and humble.

Thank you, Papa. Jess smiled as she sat on one of the chairs opposite her parents.

Your friend seems to have an eye for fashion and great taste in clothes. Vera Smith commented, and Michael nodded in agreement.

They would never have thought that their daughter, who loved simple and comfortable clothing, would arrive in such an expensive gown that made her stand out from the other ladies in the room.

Where did she get it from? Vera quizzed.

She told me that one of her cousins born into nobility had gifted it to her as a birthday present the year before but that the dress did not fit, and since it would be rude to return the gift, she decided to keep it. Jess explained.

Vera Smith thought there was something suspicious about that girl, but she could not quite point a finger at it.

Even if the Velvet blue gown was a gift, what about the gold gown that Mia is wearing?

How could she afford such beautiful dresses when she worked as a cook with meager pay that could hardly put food on the table? Vera thought.

Jess moaned as she tasted the food and had the people at the table tilt their heads to look at her, and their judging look of how unrefined she was eating as a lady did not bother her. She just wanted to drown out the noises and focus on finishing the plate of food in front of her.

Michael Smith kicked her legs under the table, and her eyes, which were closed, immediately flew open.

She looked at her parents only to meet with stern eyes and scowl on their faces. Jess composed herself as she sat upright like a proper lady and slowly chewed the food in her mouth.

Peasants are easy to spot no matter the fancy dress they have on because they exude a different aura, a woman said.

Jess clenched her fist and would have given the woman a piece of her mind, but one look from her father, and she smiled apologetically.

Jess was relieved when the focus shifted from her to other topics as the chattering at the table resumed. The people conversed about how beautiful the castle was.

I heard the crown prince would be gracing this occasion, said a woman with fiery hair and big brown eyes.

But he has not made his presence known, so I doubt he is here, replied a man sipping his wine.

The crown prince is indeed attending the ball. Jess blurted out without meaning to.

She placed a hand over her mouth to stop the words from coming out, but it was too late as everyone, including her parents, had shifted their focus to her.

How do you know this? A man asked, his eyes narrowed down in curiosity.

My daughter loves to make people laugh and sometimes makes up things as jokes. Vera Smith said.

She chuckled nervously, hoping that the man would let it be at that and not further interrogate Jess before she made any more blunders and made a fool of herself.

Be careful with what you say, Miss. Claiming to know the crown prince’s whereabouts as a joke could get you in trouble but also put your parents in jail. A man sitting at the far end of the table said.

Jess was about to retort in a sassy tone as she had met the crown prince and had even danced with him but opted to keep her mouth shut when she felt a hard kick under the table.

My daughter had a glass of wine and has a low tolerance for alcohol. Please forget anything she says as being under the influence. Michael Smith chimed.

The man nodded, and the chattering at the table resumed.

Jess, Michael Smith called.

Yes, Papa, she replied, lifting her head to meet his gaze.

Robert came looking for you; he wanted my permission to ask you to dance with him, which I thought was ludicrous as he does not need my permission. He seemed to like you as he had nothing but praise for you. Michael Smith said.

Papa, he is just an acquaintance, and you know that I only have feelings for James and will soon be wed to him. She replied, growing frustrated with the topic.

James appears not to share the same feelings as you, Jess. If he were madly in love with you like you claimed, he would have come to see us and formalize the ceremony to make you his wife. Michael Smith stated, reminding Jess of the pain in her heart.

Forgive me for my rudeness in interrupting family time.

Robert interrupted their conversation, seeing the little scribble at the dinner table from a distance.

What rubbish, you are like a son to me. I do not mind you and Jess dancing as she is of age to mingle with eligible men. Michael Smith said, nudging Jess under the table to accept the invitation.