Cyrus quickly tried to fix the situation. He reached out for Liam's hand to give it a proper shake, but–SLAP
The bystanders who were watching looked as if their eyes were going to fall out. Their kingdom's number one beauty had his hand slapped–not just once, but twice. TWICE. The Yerin King felt faint, never in his lifetime did he ever raise a hand against his youngest son, in fact, no one did. Yet this, this...
"You-"
"Hoho it seems that my nephew was really excited meeting the third prince. He even mistook a handshake for our personal greeting."
Before the Yerin King can lash out and possibly execute the General, his uncle luckily stepped up to help. Cyrus couldn't help, but feel grateful. He almost feels guilty for how he acted earlier, but considering that the whole marriage thing stemmed from his uncle–'it's even.'
"Personal greeting?" The rage on the Yerin King's voice slowly vanished as he looked questioningly at the General. Cyrus discretely glanced at his uncle, unfortunately the Emperor had his eyes closed as he smiled at him.
'Forget even. He still owes me a mountain.'
Cyrus faked a cough, his eyes trailing to face the Yerin King who was an inch taller than him. "Yes, me and His Majest–"ahem"– I mean my uncle...use to slap hands when we meet as a form of greeting."
The Yerin King frowned as if not convinced. Cyrus quickly tried to explain again before the other could see through his bluff. "Uh-in fact, it's become a trend in the North. Nowadays instead of a hug or a handshake we slap each other..."
The frown on the Yerin King's face deepened, even the third prince along with the people who came to greet them looked as if they were judging the North's ethics.
"What the General said was right. In fact, it even became a custom now." To Cyrus's suprise, it was Yuno who nodded and agreed to his nonsensical idea. The General looked at his right hand man with a skeptical look, which the other ignored as he turned to face Derick who was also looking at him with a confused expression.
"Here, let me demonstrate." Without a warning Yuno slapped Derick on the face, the slap was so hard that it echoed throughout the palace. Even the Yerin King couldn't help but winced from the crisp sound.
'So he only wanted to slap Derick...' Cyrus sighed in relief, he thought that the other was being controlled like he did. Speaking of controlling–'he's not here'. Whilst amidst the chaos, Cyrus scanned the place for the familiar man, yet it seems that no members of the royal family was here except for the King and the third prince.
'Where is he then?'
"OW! That hurts you bastard!" Derick screamed his hand gently rubbing his aching cheek.
"It's a form of greeting, remember?" Yuno made sure to glance at Cyrus, and Derick could only greet his teeth in return. "I'll greet you in return then!" Before Derick can slap Yuno in return, his wrist was suddenly caught by the other.
"It seems that the slap made you lose your memory Lieutenant. There's no greet backs, remember? It's a one way greeting." The smile on Yuno's face was beyond refreshing, he looked as if he was experiencing the best day of his life. Cyrus silently watched as Derick seethed with anger, biting his lips to prevent himself from yelling, and probably exposing the General's bluff.
"The North is-ahem...surely a lively place it seems..." The Yerin King awkwardly coughed. He slightly felt bad for the man who got slapped, though the demonstration did at least cleared something up.
'He's a true gentleman.'
If his son got slapped by the same force the other man demonstrated, then he would have surely broken his wrist. Yet it seems that the General took this into consideration and only slapped him lightly. It also explains the corpse like appearance of the man who got slapped–he still wonders how he managed to stay alive despite being greeted like that everyday.
Cyrus could sense the Yerin King's gaze on him, though unlike the killing intent earlier, it was more soft?
'What the-'
"HAHAHA I'll surely visit the North next time and maybe slap a greeting too."
'No, please don't.' From the corner of his eyes he could see his uncle let out a nervous "ho" and sure enough he had the same thoughts as him.
Suddenly, a man–probably an official based from his attire, stepped up and whispered something to the King's ear. Cyrus carefully observed as the King's face morph to concern and then to annoyance before going back to it's joyous expression.
"It seems that I've kept you stranded here for so long, your legs must be tired from standing. How about we move our conversation somewhere else?"
"Now that you mention it, this old man's knees seems to be trembling already hoho."
"Your Majesty! QUICK! Prepare the private chamber's immediately! Hold on to my hands Your Majesty. I'll personally escort you there-" The Yerin King frantically called out. Slowly, Cyrus was starting to see what the first prince had meant.
"Hoho, there's no need." His uncle let out a laugh, though Cyrus could tell the slight awkwardness on his tone. Still, the Yerin King seems to be really persistent, even stepping closer to gently grasp the Emperor's hand.
"No I insist. I INSIST."
Cyrus could see the Emperor crane his neck towards him. "General..." Though he carried a smile, Cyrus clearly received his call for help. So he does what every nephew does when their uncle asks for help–he helps him.
"Please rest for now uncle. We'll see you later."
"Hoho...alright." The betrayal on his uncle's face was truly a sight to behold. Unfortunately, he didn't manage to look at it for mucb longer since the Yerin King slowly led him to the castle. He gave them one last glance before looking at the third prince who gave him a certain look.
"Liam, lead the guests to the Swan Garden and tell the servants to prepare some tea."
"Yes, father." The Yerin King, as if satisfied by the response nodded his head, he then turned around and slowly led the Emperor by the hand. "Let's go Your Majesty. Can you still walk? Do you want me to carry you? Should I summon a mage?"
Cyrus watched with amusement as the King continously asked his uncle's condition. The poor Emperor could only answer with an awkward "ho" and a "no" in return.
After the two were out of sight, Cyrus had the sudden urge to break his tendon and join his uncle for a rest. From the corner of his eyes, he could see the third prince sneeking glances at him. Luckily he still had his neutral face on and two of his most trusted subordinates.
'Yuno! YUNO!'
Yuno sighed, he shoved the still glaring Derick out of his way before walking towards the third prince. "This humble one greets his highness, the third prince."
This seems to startle the other as he quickly teared his gaze away from the General. Yuno frowned as he saw the young prince lightly blush, his gaze directing to the General who looked at him with pleading eyes.
"I was hoping if we could continue our tour to the Swan Garden, it seems that his highness and the King prepared something there."
"O-Oh, that's right. I almost forgot, thank you for reminding me Sir..."
"Yuno."
"Sir Yuno! Ahem...anyways, please follow me."
As the third prince began to lead the way and tell about the different structures of the palace, the three were busy talking on their newly made communication channel.
'He seems nice.' Derick said as he observed the young prince cheerfully talking about the flowers.
'I don't know about that.' Of course, Cyrus, as someone who later gets killed by the same person had to retort.
'You really like to hate on the third prince for some reason.'
Almost instinctively Cyrus replies 'Because I like the first prince more.'
'We're not having this talk again. I'm leaving the channel.' Yuno grunted before his voice completely disappeared.
'General! Is it really true?! Is the first prince your ty-'
Before Derick can finish his question, Cyrus quickly left the channel also. He's already said enough, he doesn't need to overdo it.
"–the Swan Garden is just behind that palace."
Luckily, it seems that they were already nearing the garden. And the tour was finally nearing it's end.
'Just a little bit more.'
"Does the palace belong to you, your highness?" Derick for the better of socialising with people was tasked with making the trip less awkward. The third prince paused, Cyrus noted how his smile slightly dropped a bit before it instantly came back.
"No. This palace belongs to the crown prince. My second oldest brother if you will."
Derick let out an interested "oh", Cyrus on the other hand seems intent on observing the other's face.
"You don't need to worry about meeting him though. Brother is currently on a meeting so I don't-"
"Oh Liam, what a pleasant suprise!"
A cheery voice–much like to Derick's catched the attention of the four. The third prince looked absolutely suprised–horrified even.
From a distance, a blonde man with the same golden eyes as the third prince was slowly walking towards them. Contrary to Liam's delicate and soft features, the man was definitey taller and looked more mature than the other. He also carried an air of authority, one which contrasts the other's innocent vibe.
"Brother..."
'Is it just me or does the way Prince Liam say 'brother' sounds a bit restrained?'
'More like annoyed, if you ask me.'
Cyrus internally clapped his hands. These two really know how to suddenly start a random conversation in the most unpredictable moment.
"You even brought today's guests, I'm thrilled! If I'm not mistaken, you must be the General, the Lieutenant and the famed strategist, right?"
The man pointed to Cyrus then to Derick and lastly Yuno. Cyrus gave a small nod of approval and the man laughed.
"Where are my manners? Let me introduce myself. My name is Lyle Yerin, the crown prince of Yerin. It's a pleasure to meet you three!"
'The King must be obsessed with the letter L.'
'What was his name again?'
'Something...something –I forgot, but it doesn't start with an L.'
'And the Queen?'
'Silvia, if I remember correctly.'
'Ugh...I don't see any pattern.'
'Maybe it came from a side chi-'
For the better of Cyrus's sanity, he decides to ignore the two and instead offer a handshake to the prince.
"Likewise, it's a pleasure to meet his highness."
Hearing the response, the crown prince perked up. He quickly reached out his hand to the General's–SLAP
'Oh, I forgot about that.'