Chapter 469: Dragged Into A Drama He Didn’t Ask For "Welcome to the Dawn Estate, Princess Xenia," Percival Dawnflare said with a smile. "You bless us with your presence." Deeming the occasion important enough, Lady Celestria had chosen to inform her father about the dinner invitation she had given the third princess of Avalon. The father and daughter didn’t get along on most things out of stubbornness, but when it came to upholding the honor and dignity of their house, both of them would play their role perfectly. "Thank you for coming, Princess." Lady Celestria smiled. "I apologize for my failure to welcome you and the rest of the students from Solara a few days ago. I had matters to attend to at the time." Princess Xenia reciprocated the Saintess’s smile. "You don’t need to apologize, Lady Celestria. I’m just glad to see you now." After exchanging some pleasantries, Princess Xenia introduced her fiance, Chuck, to them. As for Mary and Alex, she simply said that they were her trusted servants. The Knights protecting Princess Xenia from a distance didn’t enter the mansion. Instead, they waited outside the gate. No one bothered them, for the estate guards had already been informed about Princess Xenia’s security. Both sides were just doing their job, so they made sure to mind their own business. After all, no one wanted to be bothered in the middle of work. Inside the Mansion... "We’ve prepared some local delicacies for all of you to enjoy," Duke Percival explained as he gestured for everyone to sit. "Please, enjoy them to your heart’s content." The table was covered with many delicious dishes that Alex had never seen before. Having been taught etiquette, Alex made sure to eat properly so Princess Xenia and Mary wouldn’t look down on him later. However, when he glanced at Chuck, the young man felt that all of his effort was wasted. Chuck was oddly casual when he ate, even feeding Dim Dim food from his plate. However, no matter what he did, his every move was done so perfectly that no one could find fault in it! Chuck had that grace and confidence that could only come from the unshakable belief that he was perfection personified even if he ate with his hands. In fact, it wasn’t only Alex who was having these thoughts. Duke Percival and Lady Celestria, as well as the butler and maids who were present in the dining room, couldn’t help but give the young man a thumbs-up in their hearts. Princess Xenia and Mary ate without even glancing at Chuck. Clearly, both of them were already used to his antics whenever they were around nobles. When they dined privately, Chuck returned to his usual self and simply ate like everyone else, with little care for elegance or manners. Duke Percival coughed a little to dispel the spell Chuck seemed to have almost everyone under. "Your Highness, I’ve heard that you’re looking for interesting places to visit in Solara," the Duke said. "If your itinerary still has room to squeeze in a new attraction, I would be glad to show you around our hunting grounds." Seeing Xenia’s eyes brighten, the Duke continued, "Our hunting grounds might not be the biggest or most breathtaking, but we have taken care of the place for generations. It is the closest to unspoiled nature without sacrificing convenience or safety. By carriage, it’s about two hours away from the city. By airship, mere minutes." "That sounds wonderful, Your Grace," Princess Xenia replied. "I heard that the private hunting grounds of the Dawnflare Family have many amazing beasts within. I would indeed love to see it while I’m here in Solara." The Duke smiled faintly after hearing the princess’s praise. His private hunting grounds were indeed a great place to visit. In fact, many hunting events were held there, and even the members of the royal family would participate from time to time. "Then it’s settled." Duke Percival chuckled. "There’s still three days before the rest of the Frieden students arrive here in Solivane. "They may want to explore the city later on, so how about we visit the hunting grounds six days from now? After all, there’s still that duel everyone among our circle is looking forward to." Princess Xenia kept smiling and acknowledged the Duke’s statement. "Indeed," Princess Xenia replied. "A few young men visited our academy and challenged Renard Vale to a duel. Since he is also part of my club, I am also looking forward to his performance." Her words implied she had no intention of stopping the duel even if she thought the young nobles had overstepped. Alex glanced at the Saintess and wondered if she would comment on the duel. But Lady Celestria continued to eat and simply listened to the conversation. Of course, Chuck wasn’t going to let her have her way. "I don’t mean to be rude, Lady Celestria, but what do you think of this duel?" Chuck asked. "Renard’s academy life was moving along peacefully when a few nobles suddenly barged in. They then challenged him for a duel, thinking that he had become your boyfriend. "I may not be super close to Renard, but I know he’s single-mindedly pursuing his goal of becoming the strongest student in the academy. Renard may not be as handsome as me, not as dashing, graceful, cultured..." Chuck paused for a few seconds, tapping his chin dramatically as if thinking of more praises to pile on himself. "Nor as magnanimous, well-read, socially gifted, spiritually centered, devastatingly charming, flawlessly groomed, impossibly humble, and universally beloved as I am... "But he’s still a hardworking young man. I may outshine the heavens themselves, but Renard has potential. It just feels unfair that he’s suddenly dragged into such a silly drama that didn’t concern him just because some nobles were not raised to know shame and decorum." Alex almost choked on his drink because Chuck was the furthest thing from humble. Even Duke Percival’s lips twitched. Meanwhile, the butler and maids wondered what kind of weed the young man was smoking. Lady Celestria finally looked at Chuck as if seeing his true nature for the first time. She didn’t look offended, merely surprised that someone could praise himself that extensively with such natural confidence. Princess Xenia resumed her meal but something about the way she was cutting her steak told Alex that in her mind she was slicing through the flesh of her fiance. If she didn’t allow the anger to fill her, she would be consumed by the urge to find a hole somewhere on Duke Percival’s vast estate to bury herself in. Mary rubbed her forehead. She was used to this but still not completely immune to secondhand embarrassment. The room fell silent for a brief moment. For that brief moment, Alex even thought that he could hear a cricket chirping. Perhaps, the only one that wasn’t affected by the tension was Dim Dim, who was nibbling one of the macarons that had been piled on its small plate. Lady Celestria blinked once then twice before she finally remembered where she was. Duke Percival leaned back slightly, as if overwhelmed by the sheer audacity radiating from their guest. When everyone thought that things couldn’t possibly get worse, the Saintess finally opened her mouth to give her reply.