I took a deep breath, as I tried to calm myself and my inner thoughts which were making my head hurt, the numerous questions and scenarios that were coming into my head made me feel like I was solving an unsolvable riddle.
Soon dinner was served, replacing all my thoughts with the aroma of the food that was served, we sat down on our respective positions, according to the tradition of princes and their wives.
Each prince sat beside their wife, the crown prince and his wife sat very close to the king, looking at them I could tell their relationship seemed very great, even if not as good as the others but it was still better than that of Briareus.
Everyone besides Briareus were talking intimately to themselves, especially the crown prince and the king. Before I could turn I felt someone direct their gaze towards me.
It was princess Selin, the crown prince' first wife.
As the animated conversation between the Crown Prince and the King continued, I couldn't help but steal occasional glances at princess Selin. Her beauty was undeniable, captivating even, with her curly blonde hair cascading down her shoulders and her piercing sky green eyes. Despite my admiration, a hint of uneasiness lingered within me. Was there something more behind those fleeting glances she directed my way?
Briareus noticed my distraction and leaned in closer, his voice barely audible above the clatter of cutlery. "Does Selin has an issue with you?" he asked, his eyes narrowing with concern.
I shrugged, unsure of how to interpret her actions. "I'm not entirely sure. It could be my imagination, but something makes me feel like she's looking at me with... distrust, perhaps?"
Briareus slightly glanced over at Selin, his gaze filled with coldness. "Just ignore her. It's possible that she doesn't like you. She is, after all, the Crown Prince's wife."
His words struck a chord, reminding me of what little Gabriel had told me and what Briareus said to me before. Perhaps she had concerns about what little Gabriel said to me, and my perception might likely be correct. Nevertheless, the unanswered questions plaguing my mind grew more insistent.
As dinner progressed and the conversation between the Crown Prince and the King grew increasingly fervent, their gestures becoming wilder, a guard suddenly entered the room and approached the King. Whispering something in his ear, the guard's words prompted the King to rise abruptly from his seat.
"I have a few things to take care of, but enjoy your dinner," the King announced with an air of caution before swiftly leaving the room.
The sudden departure left the atmosphere hanging with suspicion and a lingering tension. Uncertainty ripples through the room as i wonder about the urgency that pulled the King away. It was clear that something had come up, and the uneasiness in the air became palpable.
Briareus exchanged glances with me, silently acknowledging that I shouldn't worry about it. He surely didn't want my concerns to take precedence over.
The atmosphere in the room grew uncomfortable as the Crown Prince and his brothers began a drunken banter. Their words carried a tinge of malice that made my spine tingle with unease. I glanced at Briareus, who was clearly unperturbed by his brothers' behavior, his eyes still remained composed.
A resonating sound of the spoon tapping against the wine glass was heard, all eyes were drawn towards where it came from, the Crown Prince stood on his feet with his wine glass and spoon. The tense atmosphere that had filled the dining hall seemed to be suspended in anticipation, with a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty lingering in the air.
The Crown Prince cleared his throat, trying to compose himself as he held the wine glass delicately in his hand. His voice, slightly slurred from his indulgence, held a hint of a commanding tone as he addressed the gathering. "First, let us extend our warmest welcome to our esteemed guest, our little brother's beloved bride," he began, his words drawing a polite round of applause.
There was a momentary pause before he continued, his speech growing increasingly jumbled and incoherent. "And then..." he trailed off, struggling to form coherent sentences, his free hand waving aimlessly through the air. It was evident that the Crown Prince was very intoxicated, and was hindering his ability to express himself eloquently.
But before the awkward silence could completely engulf the room, the prince sitting beside the Crown Prince seized the opportunity to finish his brother's sentence. "And then," he chimed in, his voice sly and tinged with a hint of mischief, "we shall regale our little brother's bride with embarrassing stories from his youth."
His words were met with the forced laughter of his brothers, but the mirthless sound scratched against my ears. Their laughter held a sinister undertone, devoid of the genuine joy one would expect from such reminiscences.
Briareus shifted uncomfortably beside me, his discomfort mirrored in the glances exchanged between the other princes.
I could tell that Briareus's protective instincts were aroused, sensing that there was more to his brothers' actions than met the eye. The air crackled with tension as I struggled to understand the true nature of this seemingly innocent ritual.