A lady wearing a peach-colored robe standing in a graceful posture with a straight back. Wife of Right minister, Mrs. Allen said jokingly, "Noble consort, ah, look at them. The Crown Prince and General are way too close. Don't you think so? Even if they are friends, it is very interesting to have this kind of intimate contact."
Although she is someone who holds the title of consort of Right Minister Allen and shouldn't say something like this about the Crown Prince, she wanted to have her son John as the Crown prince's consort but now looking at the situation it wouldn't seem to be easy. So, she said this to make them fall apart. As a friend of Stephan, Daniel wouldn't do anything that would put Stephan's status in danger. It is a simple logic but very malicious.
The concubine of the Fifth Prince said, "Your Highness is right. They seem like a couple. Look at Crown prince, whose, eyes were locked upon General like prey." The more she looked at them, the more she felt so.
The concubine of Seventh Prince began to say, "It seems he found his long-lost treasure." Laughing loud she exclaimed, "What a scene."
"However, even if they are both men, they are a perfect match. Look at Their peerless looks. Who can deny it?" Said Noble consort, Jewo Logan, mother of the fifth prince. The consort of the King's cousin. She has a different story of grudge against Stephen.
If not for the present queen, then today sitting in the position of the empress could be her. She is the most beautiful and closest to the King. She was very sure about their marriage, but suddenly everything finished after the marriage announcement of Grip. Likewise, she would have been happy if she could at least enter his harem, but he didn't marry anyone else after his first marriage. She saw them happy and living in peace. She felt so angry at Grip during her marriage. He came and gave her the blessing of an elder. Nothing else. She loved him, but he didn't. Now seeing his face in Crown Prince, she wants to scratch it, disfigure it, and destroy it. But she can't. Thinking this, she felt bitterness swelling in her heart. She looked at other ladies and laughed along with them. Her life would have no meaning if not for her son. She sighed.
"Still, it is very weird. For Crown Prince to have a male Crown Princess. On top of it, It's General. Are you getting my point about the cold general being the Crown Princess? I can't even think about it." said the concubine of the third prince and laughed.
They laughed without care because they did this on purpose. The banquet where the emperor and empress weren't present is the very place where they could say something like this openly. They never saw Stephan being angry before. So, he wouldn't do anything excessive to them. After all, he is the benevolent god of their country. All the males on the other side heard them and of course, Stephan and Aaron also heard it.
Stephan felt unexpectedly unsatisfied. He wanted to hear more and waited, but there was no voice. He glanced at his side and saw Aaron cold as usual. At this moment, Stephan thought of something and smirked. His playful look did not escape from Aaron's gaze. He just ignored it and looked forward to the play.
The other prince does hear their talk. But they did not stop them. It wouldn't change anything even if they went ahead now everything is said and done. Minister Allen is the only person who is so angry with the action of his wife. All Prince glance toward their younger cousin brother and Daniel. Some thoughts emerged, but they suppressed them. But soon they had no time to think about Stephen and Daniel because they saw Stephan frowning, making angry looks, and even smirking. These contradictions made him unpredictable like other times. On the other side, Aaron was posing at the side like a Buddha. They can't understand them at all. How can they be so calm in a matter like this?
Stephan indicated to the eunuch, "Please, bring noble consorts and concubine to this prince." He smiled and added laughing, but his eyes were cold, "Aye, my bad, my bad for being extremely lax on them. Wait a while I will clear everything." Then he leisurely looked at him with mirthful eyes.
Aaron did not stop his actions. Even if they are dating or not, it isn't suitable to have conversations about it so blatantly. It will impede the Crown Prince's noble reputation. He is the future monarch. Citizens should follow his orders and rules. For that, he has to be in good shape. Moreover, the citizens decide who will be the ruler before anyone. It isn't wrong to have a male Crown Princess, but he is a General of the great Shenoy army. It is very disrespectful.
The eunuch appears young and in a good manner. He nodded right away. He quickly went to the lady's side and said, "Your Highnesses, His Royal Crown Prince has sent for your presence. Please come this way."
The eunuch sighed and thought, they deliberately didn't lower their voice because they wanted everyone to hear and see. And doubt the Crown Prince's nature. Even if it is a small scandal, it would be helpful during later times. Yet they took the prince for benevolence. It is their greatest mistake.
The ladies cursed in their hearts and thought what he could do to them but didn't show in their faces. They smiled and followed the little eunuch. This attracted the attention of nobles. Some murmured within their breath but most of them were silent as if someone had died. Others may not know this, but the officials knew this Crown Prince never was a warm god like what people think.
John Allen is agitated due to his mother. He saw Stephan and Aaron's intimate contacts. There is a part of him that seems in the fire. He was jealous. Jealous thinking, how can Aaron get the attention of the Crown Prince? He does not deserve this.
When he was fuming over this, Aaron had a cold look all the time and saw his actions and laughed coldly in his heart. He did not care about this trivial matter. Now he is with Stephan as he thought to, nothing seemed important to him here. He is more concerned about his army. The Jenal crisis and war are coming soon, how can he just stay and see their useless gossip scheme, it isn't related to him anyway. In matters like this, Stephen will solve them wisely.
Stephan did not even meet with John. He directly shunned him, so his first wish does not need to be fulfilled at all. The second wish is to die with dignity and honor. Aaron sighed, thinking, how unfortunate he was. He even has to plan his death. It's the most laughing fact he wants to ignore.
A sudden light footstep sounded, waking him up from his deep thoughts. He saw four beautiful ladies. The wife of Minister Allen looks gentle and calm. The noble consort and other ladies dressed very beautifully and appeared refined. He does admire them, for their elegant nature. The sunny day beauties standing in the middle of the garden and the flower in the surrounding makes them even more enchanting.
Aaron sighed in his heart. His sight fell on the person beside him. It took his breath away. Stephan looks majestic and powerful. How should he describe him? He had no idea, and he sighed again. But other than him, no one is thinking about beauty right now.
Stephan smiled as he slowly stood and stared straight into their eyes one by one. His golden robe fluttered in the wind making him look more majestic than before. He asked, "What does noble consort think about us?" The surrounding people felt their backs in exertion.
Consort Jewo Logan humped and said coldly, "Your royal Highness, what are you saying? This consort did not get it." She didn't give a damn respect to Stephan. Others can't help but think she is very bold to do so.
Stephan cracked up. His face looked, even more, gentler now. He grinned and asked again, "How can a noble consort be so ignorant of her surroundings? If you are having trouble understanding my words, we can invite other officials to make you understand."
"What do you think, Mrs. Allen?" He asked, tilting his head and stepping aside. His eyes don't hold any warmth but ruthlessness. People who saw this shudder in fear. Today this banquet is purposefully arranged to have a depth conversation with the Crown Prince about their plans in their respective field. It is just the start of their day and here these women ended everything with a few words. They cannot help but resent them in their heart. 'What's the use of people like this who only knows to chattery their mouth and nothing?'
Mrs. Allen said, while maintaining her smiling face hard, "This small one said, The Crown Prince and General looks are peerless and can be matched perfectly. No one can deny this." Sweat started to appear on her forehead. It took an effort to utter these words.
Stephan nodded, "Mrs. Allen, you do have good eyes. General and I are best friends. If we are not a match made them, who would be?" He added, "If there came a time when we got together then I would come to you for your blessing." His words choked the consort.
He knows what this old lady was thinking before, daring to set up him with others, she is bold. He really can't think why Minister wants this woman who is so foolish. He gave a side-glance to the Right Minister. The Minister who saw his gaze looked away feigning oblivion of the meaning of his gaze. Stephan cursed him in his heart for not playing along with him. Good that his mood is better than before. If it wasn't for Daniel, he would have already killed one of this here.
He was not satisfied earlier. Their conversation was very vague, and now hearing again the same, he felt electricity creep into him. He likes this idea very much. If Daniel could be his Crown princess, then he wouldn't need to feel worried. Other people also saw him pondering this matter. They were ready to grab him and change his train of thought. The current monarch only has this heir and if he also turns out to be a cut sleeve then how the future of Shenoy would work?
Aaron, who saw him seriously considering things was stunned. For a moment he felt the loss of what to do. He neither can intervene, nor he could cease his thoughts. Still, he has to stop him. Before anyone he took action.
He could only call him, "Your Highness. Don't." Stephen snapped out and saw him shake his head in denial. Other people calm down seeing this. Yet Stephan felt disagreeable and asked the other three the same questions, but no one answered.
Consort Jewo Logan lost her patience first and gritted her teeth, "Your Royal Highness, as a Crown Prince, you should not threaten others so blatantly."
Stephan lost his previous smile and coldly glanced at Consort Jewo, "Isn't it a crime to talk about Crown Prince so blatantly punishable to demise? I hope as the people staying in the capital and having lived more than me you all should know about this. I never did violent actions before, but it doesn't mean I don't know anything about punishment. As the only prince of this country, I have every right to give punishment to anyone guilty."
The Fifth Prince who was turned green due to bitterness and anger towards his mother stood abruptly for an apology and next came up the Right minister. "Cousin Brother, please don't take their words to heart. My mother was muddle-headed. I would take full responsibility for the punishment, please be merciful."
"Please, forgive my wife's misbehavior. This will not happen again," said Right Minister who was looking elsewhere a moment ago. He knows his wife is a fool, but he still loves her. He cannot just let her die.
Soon, the Third and Seventh princes also apologize. But Stephan appeared as if he did not hear them. He snickered at the Minister in his heart. He instead asked them slowly, "What do you people think about us? A couple?" Stephen chuckled aloud.
"My noble aunt said we look good together. General and crown prince, how matching it is." He said looking at Aaron who was calmly sipping tea. He seemed to be in a different world alone. He appears not interested in this show.
Aaron stared at Stephan. Indifference was written all over his face. Stephan just smiled and repeated, "They think of us as a couple. What do you think, General? My dear." He expects a special word from Aaron.
Aaron stared into his eyes. His heart unexpectedly started to thump frantically. He shook his head to calm down and instead replied, "We are not here to discuss this are we?"
He can't even bear to say no to him. Let alone feel displeasure by hearing these words. Other people who heard this all had doubts. General didn't deny it but also didn't accept it. Maybe to not displease the prince or he just thinks they are matching.
But Stephan smiled and said to everyone, "Yeah, we are not here to discuss this. As you all hear it, I think every one of you got my point. I don't want to hear this kind of misdeed again in the future. Even if we are a couple, it doesn't concern others." He added the last lines looking at Daniel with full interest.
"Consort aunt and princess are my elders. They are respectful people of our country. I respect your concern about my life. Please be at ease, I will not do anything disrespectful towards my elders. But as the prince this matter can't be disregarded without an official judgement. So, Minister and cousin brother please be fair while punishing them. Luck never follows you everywhere. You all may disperse."
The last sentence was for the consorts. It was a very bad move. As the future monarch, he shouldn't be taken lightly. If today, there was not Daniel here then who knows what would happen. People saw and knew why he didn't do anything bloody. The man is calm and the source of his composure. Nobles all sigh at their good luck. These ladies are so lucky to receive light punishment.