Sensing the discomfort in Kiev’s response, King Kyden intervened swiftly, concerned that the potential for the attendees to piece together the truth—that the direct descendant of the Ro’an lineage had ceased.
"Enough. This luncheon was intended for us to acquaint ourselves with Prince Kiev and Princess Callis rather than delving into the affairs of His Imperial Majesty’s descendant."
Realising his misstep, Lord Anson responded with contrition, "Please forgive us, Your Majesty. We must have got carried away."
King Kyden accepted the apology graciously.
"Based on what has been shared, I assu that the incident that endangered Her Imperial Highness’ safety was caused by a traitor. This is likely why Prince Kiev hesitates to divulge further information. Am I correct, Prince Kiev?"
Kiev nodded in agreent.
"Indeed, Your Majesty. It was an act of utmost betrayal that brought grief upon us all. Hence, speaking of her is a difficult matter for ."
Understanding the sensitivity of the topic, King Kyden made his stance clear.
"Understood. We shall refrain from discussing her any further. I expect everyone present to respect Prince Kiev’s wishes. Her Imperial Majesty decided to depart from the continent long ago. If, in the future, her descendants desire to return, we shall welco them with open arms. After all, this land rightfully belongs to them."
The attendees, acknowledging the king’s declaration, responded in unison, "Yes, Your Majesty."
The al continued, and desserts were served afterwards. The attendees enjoyed the cuisine as they engaged in conversation.
Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted their discussion, and Charles, the chamberlain, entered the dining hall. He approached the king and delivered a ssage, "Your Majesty, the representative from Cilleon, has arrived. You instructed to inform you imdiately upon his arrival."
"Ah, yes! It is within my schedule for today. Please excuse , gentlen and Princess Callis. I must attend to this urgent affair. Do continue without ."
The attendees stood up respectfully, bowing as the king rose from his seat and left the room with his chamberlain. Once the king departed, they resud their conversation.
Seizing the opportunity, Lord Jas directed a question to Kiev, "Tell us, Prince Kiev, is it true that you are betrothed to Lady Raychard, the concubine of His Highness, the Grand Duke?"
Kiev confird with a nod, acknowledging the gossip that had circulated. Lord Jas continued, probing further, "So, the rumours of your arrival to claim her and engage in a pending duel with His Highness are also true, aren’t they?"
The derian Prince responded without hesitation, "There is no doubt about it. Once I win the duel, I will take her with and return to my island."
Eager for differing perspectives, a minister turned to Mr Amares, inquiring about his opinion. "What is your stance on this matter, Mr Amares? Being in the service of His Highness, you surely support him, don’t you?"
"Mr Amares is known to be so loyal to His Highness. We all know how ’close’ they are," said one of them.
So of the other n began to let out a small laugh. Although aware of the gossip, Aaron and Lord Anson didn’t join but stayed serious, respecting the grand duke.
The healer maintained his poise as the n chuckled. Callis and Kiev’s brows creased, clearly unsettled by the inappropriate innuendos.
Rafe was all too aware of the persistent rumours surrounding his alleged romantic involvent with Kyren in the past. However, he refused to be drawn into entertaining such baseless speculation.
With a calm deanour, he clarified, "As the diator for their dispute, I cannot take sides. We have agreed that the victor of the duel will be granted the hand of Her Highness Princess Anna."
Lord Jas interjected dismissively, "Pfft... why do you address her as ’Her Highness’? She is an illegitimate daughter of King Adhemar IV. According to their kingdom’s customs, an illegitimate child cannot bear a royal title."
Kiev’s voice carried a hint of irritation as he corrected the minister, "Lord Jas, the one you refer to as an illegitimate daughter is my betrothed. I kindly ask you to be respectful."
Lord Jas, feeling chastised, apologised, "Forgive ... But, I rely find it peculiar that you would travel from a distant island to pursue soone like her. She possesses the blood of the Adhemar family, and we are well aware that they were among the traitors who had caused harm to your relatives. Why would you be interested in her?"
"She is promised to be my bride by her father," the derian Prince stated firmly.
Lord Jas scoffed, "But, she does not possess anything now, not a kingdom of her own, not any property or title. She might have a cute look, but that’s all. Furthermore, don’t you know that the slave traders once caught her? I believe it would be best for you to forget about her. Many beautiful Cassian noble maidens would be a better fit to be your spouse. I would even say my daughter is superior to her in every aspect."
Kiev’s eyes narrowed as he responded, "Are you attempting to arrange a match between myself and your daughter?"
Lord Jas raised his hands placatingly, "I’m not saying that directly. However, if you are considering a better choice, why not?"
The derian Prince’s reply was unwavering, "Whoever she is, I’m not interested. You can find soone else for her."
Lord Jas’s expression soured at Kiev’s adamant refusal.
"You and your sister are surely weird."
Callis spoke up, her tone laced with offence, "Pardon , what do you an by that?"
"Think about it," Lord Jas sneered. "How co a princess of such high status be married so discreetly without a proper ceremony and attendance of your family and people? Shouldn’t you at least have a grander affair?" said Lord Jas.
Another minister who supported him chid in, "It is indeed weird."
Kiev interjected, his voice firm, "I am her family, and I attended her wedding. Of course, we would have a proper celebration later, but their official union was the priority, and we did not want to delay it."
Lord Jas pressed on, "Even so, you are the royalties of the derian clan. Marrying in such a discreet manner surely raises suspicions. Moreover, Her Highness Princess Callis chose Mr Amares, of all people, a man who does not act like a man. What a pity."
’Thud!!’
A fork embedded itself on the chair’s top rail after it hurtled through the air, re inches from Lord Jas’s face. The group fell into stunned silence, their eyes turning to Callis, who sat on the other side of the table, quite far from the minister.
Callis quickly interjected, her expression shifting to one of feigned innocence, "Ah... excuse , the fork just slipped from my hand. As you can see, my right shoulder is hurt, and I’m using my left hand, which I’m not so accustod to. When my right hand is in its best condition, it is precise with its targets."
Aaron suppressed a smile, feeling a sense of amusent at the sight of the frightened Lord Jas, who was known for his boastful nature. It seed the derian Princess was not one to be easily cowed by his mockery.
Flustered, Lord Jas stood up, "I... I think I should be going now. I have a matter to attend to."
Callis smiled sweetly, "Oh, really? Then I suppose we’ll et again. By the way, please address as Mrs Callis Naver-Amares or Mrs Amares from now on. I would appreciate it, thank you."
Lord Jas bowed stiffly and hurried towards the exit without a backward glance. The other ministers and officers exchanged uneasy looks, one by one making their excuses to depart.
Lord Anson, the second-to-last to leave, addressed the group, "Please excuse , Your Highness and Mrs Amares. I, too, must return to the library. It was a pleasure eting you both."
"Of course, Lord Anson. The pleasure was ours, too," Kiev replied politely.
Aaron bowed respectfully, "I’m afraid I must also return to the mansion to look after my father. Thank you for your ti."
Soon, the dining hall was left with only Rafe, Callis, Kiev, and the attending servants.
The derian Prince sighed, "I suppose we ended the luncheon earlier than planned."
Kiev chuckled, "Did you not see the looks on their faces after you threw the fork at Lord Jas? They were all thoroughly intimidated by you."
"Who told him to mock my beloved husband? I don’t like the way he spoke! If anyone dares to make fun of my Rafe, I’ll shove their heads into the ground with my bare hands!"
Rafe placed a calming hand on her shoulder, "Callis, please, don’t. Not everyone will like , and we must learn to ignore them. Fighting back would only cause more trouble."
Kiev nodded in understanding, "I feel the sa way about the minister’s mockery of Princess Anna. Though I felt like beating him to death, I had to restrain myself for the sake of His Majesty. It would be a nuisance to kill the minister of Cassian and face the king afterwards. Besides, we are in the palace, and many witnesses are around."
Rafe gulped his saliva and quickly pulled back his hand. He was slightly apprehensive of how Kiev, as Callis’s protective brother, might react to his behaviour of touching his sister.
Fortunately, the derian Prince did not seem to take issue with the healer’s actions.
Callis’s eyes narrowed, "He’s lucky we didn’t et him outside the palace. So very lucky..."
Kiev turned to Rafe and led a question, "What exactly does he an by you ’being a man but not acting like a man’, anyway?"
The healer’s countenance darkened as he thought of Lord Jas’s disparaging remark.
However, he quickly cleared his mind and replied, "Ignore him. Lord Jas has always had sothing to argue with His Highness the Grand Duke ever since the betrothal between his daughter and the Grand Duke was called off. And since His Highness is not here, I have beco his new target."
"The grand duke was betrothed?" Callis asked, brow raised in surprise.
Rafe nodded solemnly.
"It was so ti ago, a few years back..."
He then recounted the details of Kyren’s forr betrothal with Sarah and the tumultuous events surrounding her attempt to assert control over the Gerhard’s mansion household.
"The servants were so relieved when her brother, the admiral, ca and took her ho. I can’t imagine the disaster if she had beco the Grand Duchess," the healer said.
Callis covered her mouth, struggling to contain her laughter.
"Oh my, how utterly embarrassing!" she exclaid.
"Considering the father’s behaviour, I imagine the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree," Kiev noted.
"Quite right," Rafe concurred. "Thankfully, the admiral is nothing like them. He’s been a steadfast companion to His Highness, having grown up together."
Callis shook her head, "No wonder Lord Jas is showing off as if he has so authority. He must be ambitious to be part of the royal family."
Rafe nodded in agreent, "He sure is."
"All right, enough about him. I feel like leaving now. I suppose Princess Anna is getting ready to return to the mansion. I want to oversee the preparations," said Kiev.
"I’ll accompany you," Rafe offered. "She’s still a bit miffed about you going against her wishes yesterday, so it’s better if I’m around." He then asked Callis, "Do you want to co with us?"
The derian Princess contemplated for a mont.
"I think it would be best for to return to my chambers. Jessy is arranging my luggage, and once Elis returns with my dress from the boutique, we’ll be ready to depart."
At the ntion of Elis, Kiev’s mood shifted.
"She went out already?" he asked, concern in his face.
"Yes, she said she would go after lunch to retrieve my dress," Callis explained. "She should be on her way now."
Kiev’s expression turned sombre as he recalled the maid’s remarks about returning to the mansion yesterday. While they were also heading in that direction, he was unsure how long Elis would remain there before leaving.
"I hope she’ll be all right carrying the dresses herself," Callis added. "I asked her to take an escort, but she insisted she would be fine travelling on her own."
Kiev’s eyes widened in alarm.
"What? She went alone?!" He stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor.
Callis hesitated, sensing her brother’s growing anxiety.
"Well, not really. The carriage driver surely with her, of course."
Kiev’s features hardened.
"This is not good! Not good for her safety at all! I’m going after her!"
Without another word, he rushed towards the door.
"Kiev, wait up!"
Rafe, not wanting to miss the opportunity to keep an eye on the derian Prince, quickly followed suit, leaving Callis behind in a state of bewildernt.
"What in the world has gotten into him?" she murmured to herself, watching the n disappear through the door.
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