The whole party was a huge scam. That much was established by Chris earlier. But the level where it was blatant that most people present were not really wishing him well, Wilson had the urge to leave ever since he stepped in the halls.
But he is polite. He accepted the offer of the prince to throw one on his behalf. So he will endure for now. In the morning, his father will get him out of here. He will not see the majority of people here for at least two years from now.
"If I knew how boring this whole thing would be, I would have thrown you one myself," Diane said as she picked a piece of pastry. "Had I known how tasteless the brother was, there is no need for such suffering today."
"You're partially to be blamed for this, princess," Alexus offered Wilson some beverage while Wilson offered a polite smile to a few nobles who did remember who the party was for. "You publicly supported the First Prince. Princes with ambitions are more or less wary of your actions."
"I'm not that bad." Diane glared at Alexus. "Just because I liked George more than Alphonsus does not mean I have a say in things. I'm only a princess who withdrew my rights to succeed. No significant connections other than the occasional ones that came from George."
"Don't mind them, your highness." Wilson advised on the side. "Precognition works like this. Even if you don't mean things that way or this way, if people started associating you with something, there is little to nothing you can do about it."
"Like how you are the model aspirant noble from our parents' mouth?" Diane looked at the crowd that were trying to be secretive in their glances. "Though they're not exactly wrong about their praise, you're not exactly everything they say you are."
"My point," Wilson said cheekily. "Like how I'm not always the most obedient child, the perfect student, or as neutral as most people believe me to be. As long as they think of a motive for your presence, then that will be the truth in their eyes."
"So you do support a faction," Diane was quick to point out his choice of words. "Care to share who you support?"
"The Thymes are neutral," Wilson replied carelessly, his eyes trained upon Alphonsus's form as he greeted a few of the notable young nobles who should be here to give their regard or well wishes. "Naturally, I'm on the neutral faction."
The princess could only click her tongue in annoyance at his practiced reply. "Still with such a tight mouth. As long as your public stance is that, some sort of sanity is preserved, I guess."
"I think that might get a little different with those guys coming over." Chris tugged Wilson's hem and pointed at a group approaching them.
Wilson looked at who they were out of the corner of his eyes and saw it was Raphael and his goons. They looked a little intoxicated from the look of it. From their grins, they're simply not coming with good intentions.
"I guess we're in for an entertainment," Wilson said as he motioned to Alexus not to intervene when he took one more glass of wine to play along. "You guys can join in if you're bored."
"I'll stay here at the back." Chris was quick to back out. He excused himself to the dessert table to not be dragged further. Wilson did not allow him to leave his sight easily, though; he instructed Daniel to return Chris to their corner after he had a pick of dessert.
The loyal servant nodded to acknowledge his instructions. He then helpfully took his place behind his master, ready to act if needed. With that, Wilson was assured that Chris will return to him in a few.
"Entertain us," Diane said as she motioned to her retainers to not do anything that will ruin the scheme Wilson is cooking. She herself made a little distance, pretending to examine her pastries and such like a harmless princess.
Alexus handed him the glass himself before he considerably moved away by entertaining other young nobles trying to talk with him. He knew that students are conscious of his presence due to being part of the council. His presence is distracting, so he made a distance. Though he is keeping an eye on them.
"Wilson!" Raphael said too jolly for Wilson's taste. "How is the party going for you?"
"So far so good," Wilson replied with a grin. "Thanks to the Third Prince, this gathering has been with the finest food and wine."
"All thanks to our prince indeed." Raphael was pleased at his flattering like he was the prince himself. "Consort Catherine had her own considerable wealth; as her son, Prince Alphonsus enjoyed her shade. Being a close friend of his allowed anyone to enjoy her blessings."
Wilson could practically see Diane pretend to cough at Raphael's words. It is true that Consort Catherine is wealthy and is considered an economic big shot, but she certainly doesn't flaunt her wealth as her son does. As far as she was known publicly, the consort is a reasonable person who at times provides help out of pocket at times and a good business woman.
Raphael seems not to pick up the hiccups the princess made. He went on with his tirade about the Third Prince. His goons put in a word or two in support of his statements.
Wilson went along with them. Timing and choosing his words to keep them engaged enough for him to pick up what they are approaching him about. So far, it is unbelievable that they just came to talk.
And with patience, Raphael finally came to the point why they are approaching him.
"...say, as this is the last day that you're staying as a student, would you like to make a little spar with us?" Raphael said as he put an arm over Wilson's shoulder. "This might be the last time we have this chance to do a friendly match to compare our skill sets."
"Sure," Wilson was quick to agree. "Though the avenue is not quite suited for a bout here."
"We've reserved a courtyard for your use," Raphael informed him. "We figured that it might be a little boring to just eat and talk, so we had arranged one for those who liked to move around."
"Quite considerable of you," Wilson praised them. "Though was this informed to the other guests? No one told us anything about something like this prepared. If I knew about it, I would have brought over my cousin there as soon as we could. As you can see his preference to this type of social functions is not that high."
"Others are informed by the entrance," Raphael answered him. "There might be a gap when the servants are informing people, but people are aware of the courtyard as an extension of this gathering. In fact, there are already people there. If you like, we can head over now. You can bring over your cousin to give himself a break from this suffocating room."
"I think it's best for us to head out now though," Raphael encouraged him to go first. "I heard quite a few people are already there. If we are a little late, we might no longer have a space to move around."
Wilson instructed John to inform Chris to follow him in a while. Nodding at his commands, John bowed and left Wilson's side. His back straight as he looked for Chris's figure among the dessert table.
"You guys are up to something interesting," Diane timely spoke at the side. "Care to let us to tag along?"
Raphael and his goons stuttered a little before they managed to greet Diane who acted as if she was not eavesdropping on their whole conversation. She even gave a harmless smile to the group to express her intent to admire their forms in action.
Young as they are, Raphael and his boys were simply too naive. They were quick to agree with Diane's request, subtly boosting their prowess and promising a great display of skill for her to enjoy.
Wilson could only roll his eyes at the farce. However, he didn't make any attempt to snap them out of the honey trap. This should be a little lesson they should learn by themselves. If they didn't learn anything, nothing is to be blamed on him.
After the boys tried to impress the princess, they then made their way out for the courtyard. Out of the corner of his eyes, he winked at Alexus to follow them later once he is done socializing. Alexus quick to pick up his cue, nodded at his direction.