The King was very dissatisfied with Prince Jiro's reaction towards his trap, especially that the two generals behind him just also ignored the beauty he himself was very attracted to. He can see the smirk hidden behind the innocent smile Prince Jiro just flashed.
He doesn't want his effort to go to waste. He doesn't believe that a man can turn down a beauty, and probably he was just being careful, thus trying to ignore the beauty.
"Since you are still hungry, why not let Lady Bridgette serve you and give more details about our distinguished dish?" Prince Jiro felt the dissatisfaction of the king that made him agree. He is still just a guest, so it is better to behave just a bit.
"It is my pleasure, Your Majesty, but Lady Bridgette is still a young, beautiful, and unmarried woman; thus, it is not quite good to serve me, but she can still give me details about the dishes. If Your Majesty approves?" Prince Jiro smiled, but mentally he was laughing hard.
The king just agreed because he can't contain his anger. He can't just punish the prince, as the prince actually keeps him safe with a seemingly correct attitude, and he can't find fault. He knew how protective King Philip was when it came to his children. Maybe he will declare war in just a snap, and he knew that even if they are powerful enough, they were slightly weaker than the Abberhyn Kingdom, which is nearly a military kingdom.
Marquis Cian was also clenching his fist because of the embarrassment. Lady Bridgette was the daughter she has been grooming to became the next Queen but because of the King's request he adamantly tried to get married her off to an enemy. He can even hear some murmurs of other officials secretly laughing at him.
Marquis Cian was the cousin of the late Queen and one who holds power in the Kingdom. He was the biggest ally and asset that the First Prince that made his position even unshakable in court but today he was really hit big time.
Prince Jiro was quite happy for what he did, but he just can't help his real self. Though Lady Bridgette is a beauty, since he was immune to his sister's face, he can't seem to see a girl more attractive than his sister. The two generals behind him also think so, and also because love doesn't yet hit them, they simply avoid trouble.
Prince Jiro felt the intense gaze from the First Prince, which made him laugh hard. This is much more interesting than he thought it would be. They all looked at him because of his sudden laughter.
"Your Majesty, I might say that your delicacies are just to my taste, and it made me happy to the point of laughter."
"Oh! Is that so? Then eat more," the king replied irritably.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Prince Jiro smirked and looked at the lady beside him. The lady was quite shy, but he doesn't believe it. He sees a pretentious lady in front of him. The simple action of flirting with him makes him throw up. He just pretends to reciprocate the lady's gesture and flirts with her just because he is amused by the gaze he receives.
"Your Majesty, the evening is just starting, and I would like to have a friendly match with Prince Jiro, as I heard that he is a brave warrior and a general," the first prince stated and looked respectfully at his father.
The King was not happy with Prince Jiro, and the First Prince's statement made him want to embarrass Prince Jiro. He knew that his son was talented and thus agreed.
"Prince Jiro, shall we?"
"My pleasure." As a general, he never had someone who could be his match except his Uncle Duke and his brother Prince Axel, so the match was kind of interesting with him. He wants to test the skill of his enemy.
The First Prince was smirking inside but did not show it outside. They both stood up and went to the center of the hall. It is quite spacious; thus, it would be enough for their fight, especially since it was just a friendly match. They showed courtesy to each other and brought their own swords.
They started to fight and seemed to be a match for each other, but both knew it was not what it was. Prince Jiro was very disappointed with the First Prince because, though he can fight, he is totally not his match. He was just playing with him, and the First Prince noticed it. He was just pretending to look calm.
He can't actually defeat Prince Jiro and was way over him. His confidence was lowered, but he calmed himself and thought of a scheme not to anger the king. He will suffer more blows if Prince Jiro embarrasses him, as his father will be disappointed and also be embarrassed.
"Brother, who do you think will win?" The Third Prince asked the Fourth Prince as if they were close, but the Fourth Prince just shrugged. The Third Prince was also scheming, but he is more low-profile than the First Prince. His marriage was to create an alliance with Marquis Raul, the nemesis of Marquis Cian.
He was preparing himself to fight for the throne, and with the help of his mother, he thinks that it will just be a matter of time. He always wanted to have the Fourth Prince as his ally because he knew that he was quite powerful. He was sure that he would get the throne if he was beside him.
As for why he was confident with the Fourth Prince, it is because he accidentally heard his conversation with the King. He was not the king's real son, but he would accept him as his own. The Fourth Prince pledged his loyalty to the King and the country.
The Third Prince was at first stopped from thinking of fighting for the throne when he finally knew how powerful the Fourth Prince was, but after he heard that conversation, his desire was again roused, but he only needed to have the Fourth Prince on his side.
He was constantly being courteous to the Fourth Prince, but he was always rejected, and sometimes he was already angry but decided to rope him in first and after getting the throne, then kill him.
The fight was quite intense as First Prince tried to give his all, but Prince Jiro was only making a bit of an effort. First Prince smirked and tried every possibility to be near Prince Jiro without harming himself.
"I heard that your little sister got hurt," he whispered to Prince Jiro. Prince Jiro was stunned for a moment, and the First Prince took that opportunity to attack him, but Prince Jiro blocked it at the last minute. He was obviously angry, and the First Prince shivered but continued to calm himself.
"Prince Jiro is very skilled. We learned a lot from the match, but since it is getting late, then this welcome feast ends," the king stated and walked out of the banquet room.
He already saw how strong Prince Jiro was, and if he didn't stop him, then maybe the First Prince would suffer. He has enough embarrassment from a prince; thus, leaving will at least leave a bit of pride to him.
"Prince Jiro is quite strong. Do you think you can be a match?" The Third Prince asked the Fourth Prince again.
"He is strong." The Fourth Prince was impressed with Prince Jiro though he was curious why he was stunned for a moment in the fight but atleast he has guts. He stand up and also walked away. He is not someone who pleased the officials for the throne but he just rather work alone and just do his task nevermind the throne.
"What do you know about my sister?" Prince Jiro asked the First Prince with the right eyebrow was raised.
"Well---"
The Third Prince wanted to talk more with the Forth Prince but he can't do anything anymore. He walked to the First Prince and Prince Jiro with a mocking smile. He was quite happy to see the embarrassment of his brother. He looked at Prince Jiro and notice his anger as they were both speaking with his brother.
"Prince Jiro, you really deserve to be called a brave and strong warrior." Prince Jiro stared at him and just walked away. He saw the mocking smile his brother had thus smirked at him.
"Brother, do you think Father was quite angry before leaving just a while ago? Tsk! What seems to have happened to make him so angry like that?" Third Prince innocently asked and smiled brightly.
"Oh! Is that so? I actually was not paying attention to it. You seem to observe everything. Tomorrow is your wedding; you must be very happy. As your brother, I already brought a great present for you and want to bless you with a wonderful marriage."
The First Prince was very irritated at the moment, but he won't want the Third Prince to mock him. The marriage was actually an insult to the Third Prince because he will marry a lady that was just ordinary, though it seemed to be a good wedding, but it was just for political reasons.
The Third Prince was very happy at the thought of having Marquis Raul as an ally with a marriage, but he was totally angry when he saw how ordinary he was going to marry, especially since Marquis Raul stated that he must not have a consort but only two concubines, as he loved his daughter that much. He just comforted himself with the throne because as long as the throne is his, then any woman can be his.