The Hero's Forsaken Princess
Chapter 63: Ruckus at the Palace Entrance

Chapter 63: Ruckus at the Palace Entrance

The grand banquet for Crown Prince Cassian would start in a few hours. The Banquet Hall was filled with lively decorations.

All the servants were busy preparing everything. King Solomon also invited some performers and courtesans to entertain the guests later, most especially the crown prince.

The invited guests started to arrive at the palace. Everyone wore extravagant clothes, both female and male, flaunting their wealth and status in the kingdom.

The security was tightened and the royal guards were strictly checking the invitation cards at the palace entrance gate.

No invitation card, No entry!

Before long, Eve’s carriage arrived at the entrance gate. She was escorted by Alaric’s knights from the 5th Battalion, headed by Randolf.

"Your Highness, we’ve arrived at the palace entrance," Randolf announced as the carriage came to a halt.

He opened the carriage door for the princess. Then Princess Eve alighted from the carriage.

She was wearing a combination of white and gold long gown with intricate designs. It was simple yet elegant, emphasizing her slender figure. Her long silver-gray hair was braided into a bun.

However, Eve didn’t remove her ugly disguise– her thick eyebrows and fake freckles.

"Your Highness, shall we present your invitation card to the royal guards?" Randolf asked her.

Eve just simply nodded with a smile.

Randolf escorted Eve to the royal guards stationed at the palace gate entrance.

"Can we see her invitation card?" The royal guard asked as soon as Eve and Randolf reached their spot.

Eve handed them the invitation card. The royal guards inspected it for a few seconds. They frowned and glanced at Eve.

"Forgive us, Milady. But we can’t let you in. We don’t think this invitation card is yours."

Randolf narrowed his eyes upon hearing that.

"What?! Can’t you recognize her? She’s Princess Eve! The Third Princess of Kingdom Averion!" Randolf spoke on behalf of Eve.

The royal guards exchanged glances with one another. Since Princess Eve didn’t usually show up in public, only a few guards could recognize her.

However, recognizing her or not was not the main issue here.

"We are just following the command. This invitation card belongs to General Alaric Stormholt. Can we see the invitation card where Princess Eve’s name is written on it?"

Randolf and Eve were taken aback when they heard that.

’Only one invitation was sent to Stormholt Manor. It’s for Alaric, not mine. Does it mean I am not allowed to enter the palace and attend the grand banquet?’

Eve could tell that Queen Amara was behind this. She was always trying to isolate her and exclude her, forbidding her to attend important gatherings in the palace.

Meanwhile, Randolf wouldn’t allow this kind of disrespect to Princess Eve.

"Princess Eve is here on behalf of her husband, General Alaric. Why can’t you let her in."

The royal guards looked at each other once more. Then a royal servant approached them, whispering something. The royal guards nodded in response.

After that, they turned to Randolf and Princess Eve. Their expressions hardened as if they had received another command.

According to the royal servant, Queen Amara gave a strict order– Do not let Princess Eve enter the palace.

"This is the rule. Not everyone is invited to this grand banquet. We are just doing our duty." The leader of the royal guards said sternly.

Randolf clenched his fists in annoyance. "Fine. But can you call General Stormholt for us? Inform him that Princess Eve had come to see him."

The royal guards just laughed at Randolf mockingly.

"Who are you to give us an order? We are here to perform our duty. Are you stupid? Why would we leave our post just to obey you? You are just a low-ranking knight!" the royal guard started insulting Randolf. They didn’t care if Princess Eve was there. Besides, she held no power at all.

"Just leave and send the sickly princess back home. Who knows she might spread contagious disease here," he added.

Randolf’s face reddened from anger, his veins bulging. Unable to control his rage, he grabbed the royal guard by his collar.

"What did you say? You can insult me all you want, but not the princess! Show her some respect!" Randolf strangled the royal guard, gripping his neck tightly.

The other guards started to wield their swords to attack Randolf.

However, Eve immediately intervened, holding Randolf’s arm as she shook her head. Her eyes were pleading with him to release the royal guard.

Meeting her gaze, Randolf could only release the royal guard, pushing him. But the moment he did that, the other royal guards pointed their swords at his neck.

"Such a lowly knight! How dare you make a ruckus here! Capture him and send him to the prison fortress! He will be subjected to punishment!" The leader of the guards commanded.

’No! I can’t let them take Randolf away. I have to protect him!’ Eve thought to herself.

Without hesitation, Eve stepped in the middle, shielding Randolf. Her emerald eyes were staring at the royal guards with defiance.

"Princess, don’t intervene. Your knight committed a crime. He attacked our comrade." The leader warned Eve, asking her to step back.

But Eve remained rooted in her spot, unfazed. She shook her head in response to the royal guard’s words.

Her actions showed them that she wouldn’t allow them to take Randolf away.

"Princess Eve, I’m giving you the last warning. Don’t blame us if we have to use force!"

Randolf was worried about Eve. He realized his mistake. It was his temper that put them in this predicament.

"Forgive me, Your Highness. I didn’t mean to cause trouble. Please go back to the carriage. I’ll come with them willingly." Randolf just wanted to protect Eve. He was afraid that the royal guards might hurt her if they continued to resist.

Eve could no longer stand this unfair treatment toward them– a forsaken princess and a low-ranking knight. The royal guards didn’t show them any respect.

When the leader signaled his knights to capture Randolf, Eve quickly stepped forward, blocking one royal guard. She extended her hand, grabbing his wrist.

Before he could react, Eve twisted his hand thus loosening his grip on his sword. In a flash, Eve snatched the sword from the royal guard and pointed its tip at the leader’s neck.

Everything happened so fast that no one was able to stop Eve. Randolf and the other royal guards stared at the princess with awe and disbelief.

Meanwhile, the leader stood frozen in his spot, swallowing hard the moment he met Eve’s sharp gaze, the tip of the sword still pressed against his neck.

Eve’s aura felt different from her usual timid and kind-hearted nature. Was she truly the weakly third princess? When had she learned to wield a sword?

Seeing this scene, Randolf unsheathed his sword to provide backup if ever the other guards would try to attack Eve.

’Surrender? Hell no! Her Highness chooses to fight, so I’ll fight to the death with her!’ Randolf thought to himself as he stood next to Eve, guarding her back.

"Whoever tries to harm Princess Eve, I’ll slash them! I’m Randolf of the 5th Battalion. In the name of my General, Alaric Stormholt... I will protect Princess Eve with my life!"