Chapter 101. Meal With The Prince

“I only did that to you once! Why do you keep doing it every time we meet, Your Highness?!” Stella complained, clutching her head and trying to blink away the dizzying spinning of the corridor, while Kenny just sighed beside her.

Prince Vadim chuckled as they walked deeper into the warmth of the castle. “You must always pay back everything tenfold, you know. Anyway, My Lady, on which floor will my quarters be?” he asked casually.

Francesca, walking alongside Miller in the lead, glanced back over her shoulder and answered, “On the third floor, Your Highness. I decided it would be best for you to be on the highest floor as a security measure.”

“What about Motya and Lana? I would appreciate it if they could have rooms next to mine,” he requested.

Before Francesca could answer, the two women in his entourage quickly spoke up in unison. “You don’t have to rearrange things if it’s too difficult, My Lady!”

Francesca smiled warmly and nodded. “It is perfectly fine. Miller already informed me of the arrangements. I understand you want your lovers on the same floor.”

“Miller said that?” Prince Vadim stopped dead in his tracks. A second later, he lunged forward, enthusiastically slapping Miller on the back again. “Wow! Mister ‘men and women must tent separately’ is actually being considerate about other people’s love lives?”

“Man... you should have gotten married years ago if it was going to change you this much!” Prince Vadim Finished.

As he finished his teasing, a slight red flush of embarrassment crawled up the back of Miller’s ears.

“Pfft-” Stella, Kenny, Motya, and Lana all desperately tried to hold in their laughter, chuckling quietly as they walked behind them.

“I... appreciate the sentiment, Your Highness. But if I had married any sooner, I wouldn't have been able to marry my lovely wife,” Miller replied smoothly. He tightened his affectionate grip around Francesca’s waist.

Francesca’s face instantly burned red. She lightly punched his side and whispered, “Come on, don’t say such embarrassing things in front of everyone...”

Prince Vadim just stood there in stunned shock, completely blindsided by his stoic friend's unapologetic display of romance.

Stella and Kenny walked right past the frozen Prince, Stella pausing just long enough to pat his arm with a teasing chuckle. “See... you should also get married, Your Highness.”

Dining Room, Ironwood Castle

“This is the first harvest of our experimental winter Moringa, Your Highness. Our chef was very eager to present it,” Francesca commented as the steaming dishes were served. Prince Vadim breathed in the rich, earthy fragrance. “Oh my, I am honored!” he replied excitedly, eagerly readying his silverware.

“I heard you are a big enthusiast of board games, My Lady?” Motya asked politely, taking a delicate sip of her wine.

Francesca settled into her chair, putting her cane down. “Well, since I couldn’t travel very often, I did build up quite an interest in indoor activities.”

“Oho! Then let’s play a match right after dinner!” Prince Vadim loudly interjected, before taking a bite and suddenly pivoting to a completely different topic. “Oh my gods, this chef is divine incarnate, I say! This is fantastic!”

Miller smiled proudly. “See? I told you my chef is the best in my letters. He might not be as skilled as the Palace chefs at Capital-style dishes, but there is no one better in the Empire when it comes to Northern cuisine.”

“That’s it! I want to see these experimental farms tomorrow!” Vadim switched topics yet again, looking excitedly at Francesca.

Francesca nodded with an amused smile, but Motya shot the Prince a sharp glare. “Ah... Your Highness? I was in the middle of a conversation with Her Ladyship!”

Prince Vadim immediately backed off, shrinking slightly in his heavy oak chair. “I am sorry, I am sorry... you two continue on,” he mumbled, taking another quick spoonful of soup.

Kenny chuckled from down the table. “So you are still completely wrapped around Motya’s finger, huh?”

“What? Of course not! If anything, she is wrapped around m-” Prince Vadim went completely silent mid-sentence, cowed by a single, icy glare from Motya as she elegantly bit into her bread.

“He is not, Mister Kenny. I wouldn’t dare try to do something like that,” Motya replied smoothly, though her smug tone betrayed her words.

“Oh, come on! Everyone knows that Prince Vadim has a massive soft spot for you!” Lana, who had been quietly eating until now, finally chimed in.

Motya retorted instantly. “What?! How can you accuse me of that when you were the one who got to ride in the new royal carriage with him first? Along with that brothel girl last time!”

“Are you really still hung up on that?! Then what about you and His Highness going on a secret date without telling me on Moonlight Day?!” Lana shot back, jabbing her silver fork into a piece of roasted chicken.

“What?! That wasn't a date-” “Then what about that time-”

The chaotic conversation spiraled around the large dining table. The two ladies passionately argued, while Stella happily enjoyed the show with a glass of wine. Kenny sighed, rubbing his temples and begging Prince Vadim to intervene, while Miller just leaned back, chuckling to himself at the frantic, lively atmosphere.

Francesca looked at the wild display, utterly bewildered. Weren’t we just talking about my interest in board games...? How on earth did it turn into this?

As the loud, overlapping voices rang pleasantly in her ears, a genuine, completely unforced smile slowly formed on her face. Miller reached over and playfully booped her nose. “Having so many people around the dining table really feels warm, doesn't it?” he smiled softly.