Dinner

While waiting for the dinner to be prepared, Jerome and Rowan settled in the crown prince's bedroom first.

Even while they're confused, the noble man can't help but look around the room.

"What do you think was that?" The red haired man asked with a frown, sitting on the couch with his head laid on it.

The shorter was looking at the books and the displays when he answered, "Actually... Duke Marshal told me about... what happened to Sir Reid Bertros and his family."

Rowan looked at him, "That they're in Northern Frostvale? Yes... I know."

"Did you also know that they were not banished because Sir Reid stole something from you?"

"Yes... Marshal told me about it... hence why I cannot just accept that my father changed one day."

Jerome looked down at the displayed miniature plane, "The duke warned me... that the King might be moving soon..."

He then looked at the other man, "Do you think that he might just do anything for the sake of nobility? Do you think that he thought of me as a taint to get rid off?"

The prince looked down and sighed, "Being around my father for long... I think he has this image of a perfect kingdom in his mind... I wanted to shatter it for so long but he's just too stubborn."

Not that soon, a maid knocked on the door, "Your highness, my lord... Dinner is ready. His majesty the king is already waiting."

The couple looked at each other before Rowan answered, "We'll be there."

The red haired man stood up and the shorter followed him, "Just... be cautious, alright?" The prince asked the latter.

Suddenly, thunderstorms and rain were heard outside which could be seen in the palace windows, which was confusing since the weather was nice earlier.

The couple ignored their anxieties and went to the dining room where the King was waiting.

"Ah... You've finally arrived. I apologize, Lord Jerome if I didn't manage to get your favorite meals; however, I express my hospitality by having the chefs make our best cuisines... I want you try them."

Jerome bowed in polite, "It's such an honor, your majesty."

"Enough with the pleasantries... take a seat." The old man said and so, Rowan pulled the chair for the shorter man before sitting himself.

The King eyed them as if they're some kind of a specimen before speaking with an unreadable smile, "The way you two take care of each other is quite adorable, very much like how me and the former queen does."

The crown prince's jaw clenched at the mention of his mother but he kept a tight lip as he didn't want to cause a commotion with his beloved here.

The black haired man who noticed Rowan's uncomfortableness simply smiled in courtesy, "I see..."

The queen was rarely mentioned in the novel, and somehow, Rowan and the King's relationship was more of a they can't sometimes see eye to eye and the king would eventually give in.

But now, Jerome noticed that they're relationship is far deeper than how the novel showed it.

Everything in the novel seems to be just a surface level of presentation but being inside, everything was on a much deeper level.

"Rowan... I mean, Prince Rowan..."

"It's alright son... we'll be family in the future soon, and he's your bethroted, there's no need for titles."

The noble man took this as a sign to continue, "Rowan... he's always been nice to me but it's not because he pities me, he's nice because he thinks I deserve it and so, I treat him with just as kindness and just as equal as he treats me... That's what's unique about him, he doesn't look at status at all but he see people as who they are."

The mentioned prince smiled and held his hand, squeezing it tight while the old man stared at him as if he said something wrong before smiling again, "I see... Rowan really is that kind of man... I wonder who influenced him to be as such."

The room became tensed, they all know that Reid Bertros was the one who influenced Rowan and the fact that the King didn't acknowledge that he influence his son at all was unsettling.

King Roysce chuckled before sipping his wine, "How about you, Lord Jerome? Who influenced you into becoming a noble man?"

Jerome and Rowan were not touching their food at all, they're too anxious to have an appetite, plus, the atmosphere was too heavy to eat.

"My parents did, your majesty." The black haired man answered.

"Oh? Did they asked you to become a noble to give them a luxurious life?" The crown prince glared at his father's question.

But the noble man squeezed his hand to assure him that he can handle the conversation, "They died from poverty, your majesty... and I didn't want to experience the same... hence I worked hard up until this day in order for them not to worry too much while they reside in heaven."

The King was silent, he frowned as it was implied that his governance killed the young man's parents.

To be honest, their conversation was a lot like a chess game in which one can lose and the old man was annoyed that he was checkmate.

It hurts his pride that a simple pawn like Jerome was able to checkmate a king like him.

"I see... my condolences." The old man just said with a smile he then stood up, still holding his wine.

"I apologize but I need to excuse myself... an old man like me can't handle late night talks any longer and just prefers to rest." He chuckled before looking out the giant windows of the palace.

"It is raining quite heavily Lord Jerome, please stay in the palace for the mean time as it is quite dangerous to go back to your manor at this time and weather. We have many guests room that you can stay on... I apologize but... I want for you to be comfortable on your own for now as you and Prince Rowan are not yet wed."

Jerome stood up and bowed slightly in polite and courtesy, "I understand, your majesty... Thank you for your hospitality."

King Roysce hummed, looking at his son before leaving.

Rowan who was silent all dinner sighed, "It was obvious that the old man has something up his sleeve." He thought out loud.

The black haired man looked around, some of the servants and knights are still around, he didn't want to talk about anything about their suspicions about the king when there are ears and eyes to observe them.

"Let's rest in your room for now, hm?" Jerome asked him with a smile, something that would comfort him rather than his polite smiles for the king.

The red haired prince looked around and smiled as well, "Yes, of course."

Rowan stood up and held Jerome's hand, guiding him to his room.

Once they're alone, the noble man sighed, finally breathing from the suffocating atmosphere.

"Are you alright?" The prince asked, worried.

The shorter smiled, "Yes... just... quite draining."

"I'm sorry... I should've made you go home instead of just standing idly when father invited us to dinner... or even officially acknowledged our engagement."

Jerome shook his head, "It's alright... We don't really know what the King has in store for us..." He frowned, he was getting awfully anxious.

The taller noticed the other man's expression, "Do you regret it?"

The noble man looked at him, "Regret what?"

"Being involved with me?"

The black haired man saw how anxious Rowan was to hear his answer, he felt sad knowing that trouble always comes after the prince whether he likes it or not.

The shorter faced him and held his hand before looking up at him, "You may be annoying at times and quite whiny but I don't regret it... in this world where I feel like I don't belong... somehow, I felt more like myself whenever we're together... Not a noble, not a businessman..." 'Not even a man who reincarnated into the noble.' He added in his thoughts.

"With you I'm just me." He smiled reassuringly at the taller who smiled back at him.

"I feel the same... I'm not a prince when I'm with you... and I can be as annoying and whiny as I want to be." He chuckled before kissing Jerome's forehead making the man blush.

He doesn't push away this time and just let Rowan be as affectionate as he is.

"Stay here for the night." The red haired prince said.

The suggestion made the black haired man flustered, "O-Oh... well... his majesty might find me rude if I disobeyed his request of having a room of my own."

The crown prince frowned and tried to think of some excuses but he eventually sighed and nodded, "Alright... We don't want any conflict as much as we can."

A maid soon knocked on the door, "My lord, your room is ready."

"I'll be coming shortly." He told the maid from the other side of the door before looking back up at the taller, caressing his cheek before pecking his lips.

"I'll see you tomorrow." He said before leaving.

"I'll see you."

The Crown Prince bid, not knowing that it'll be their last time they'll see each other before chaos happens.