The bustling room full of of chatter halted, everyone's eyes focused on the General, who looked as if he had seen a ghost and Licht who seemed to be amused, despite being cussed in front of his face.
"Y-You...you!"
Cyrus was still frantically pointing his finger at the first prince, oblivious to the scene he's making. Licht on the other hand seems to enjoy the General's reaction, a light smile creeping on his face. Unlike the oblivious General, the third prince couldn't care less about the scene, in fact he quite enjoyed it–his gaze momentarily left the accusing Cyrus as he took a peek on his right where his 'little brother' was staring daggers at him.
He flashed a mocking smile at the other before returning his attention back to the still stuttering General.
"Brother are you ok?" The young princess asked as she placed her hand on her older brother's clenched hands. She could see the ususally delicate face of his brother covered in veins, as he gritted his teeth and glare at their eldest. Liam, upon hearing his little sister's concern had to take a deep breathe. He quickly masked his annoyance, as he gave a gentle smile to the young princess.
"Yes, just a bit shocked." This seems to reassure the other, after giving Liam a nod she returned her attention back towards the General and his eldest brother.
"Why are you here huh? Don't tell me you're about to cut off my di-"
"AHEM...apologies, it seems that the General drank too much." Before Cyrus can retort Yuno's claim, his mouth was suddenly covered by the other. Though Yuno gave the rest an apologetic smile, it was different from what Cyrus received.
The complaint died in Cyrus's throat as he saw Yuno turn to him with a murderous expression. In the end, the General could only comply, deflating on his seat as he poked his uneaten carrots.
"I apologize your highness. The General is a bit talkative when drunk, I'm sure he doesn't mean what he said." Yuno said, slapping Cyrus's hand that was playing with the carrots. He gave Yuno a light scrowl before stopping and glaring at the third prince instead.
"I know." Yuno raised a brow. To say that he was shocked to discover that his 'partner' turned out to be the sickly prince locked up in the castle, would be an understatement.
'He sure looks healthy for someone sick.'
Receiving a lot of stares, Licht chuckled, he rested his head on his hand as he met the General's gaze head on–his, was priority afterall. "Besides, I find the scene quite cute."
CLANK
A tablspoon fell to the floor, the crown prince muttered a small "sorry" that was ignored by everyone.
"Ahem, brother it's finally good to see you again." Licht lightly turned his head and sure enough he was greeted by Liam's restrained expression. "Are you sure it's ok for you to be out here? Didn't the doctor say that you should still be recovering."
"Liam you're really kind , aren't you? I appreciate your concern, but I would appreciate it more if you mind your own fucking business." Licht smiled, the corner of his mouth twitching in satisfaction everytime he sees Liam's angelic face slowly crumbling away.
Lyle who was sitting between the two gulped. This was indeed a bad idea–he should've just stayed unconscious, that way he didn't have to get involved on this mess. Unconsciously, he moved his gaze towards Yuno who was leveling his brother with a look.
'Should I just ask him to knock me out.' Suddenly, as if his body was giving him a warning, a burst of memory replayed on his mind. The crown prince shuddered–he might as well die than relive that.
Again, the room became awfully quiet, but this time the once awkward air became sharp and cold as the two brothers glare at each other with only Lyle separating them on the middle.
"How absurd. Using crude language in front of our guest, arriving late and even insulting your brother. Have you no shame? Is this what the former Queen taught you?" Yuno moved his gaze to the Queen who was staring disdainfully at the first prince. For some reason Yuno had the urge to just yank the dozing Cyrus and Derick–who seems to be enjoying watching the drama.
The King worriedly glanced at the Emperor, though contrary, the old man's focus was solely on his nephew who was trying his best to stay awake. Discreetly, he tugged on the hem of the Queen's clothes only for it to be ignored.
Licht chuckled slightly, his face carried a mocking smile as he looked coldly at the Queen.
"Ma'am, you sure speak as if you know better. Don't tell me they also taught that to slaves‐"
"You!"
"Ah, my apologies, I've misspoken." Licht continued, unfazed by the sharp gasp that came from the Queen, her dignified face contorting into rage.
"I forgot that slaves weren't taught at all."
BANG
The King slammed his fist on the table, making the the silverwares clatter. "Licht, that's enough." The Yerin King said coldly, his eyes warning as he looked at his first born. Yet, it seems that the King's effort to intimidate the other didn't work.
Licht tilted his head innocently, his eyes facing the King with confusion–which made the other gulp involuntarily.
'This psycho!' Beside him Lyle silently grieved. This was escalating in a direction he didn't expect. At most, he only expected that the other would flirt with the General, tease him and make Liam feel like shit–but this, THIS!
'It looks like something straight out of a dramatic play!'
"Father you seem upset? Is it because of what I said? Don't worry I'm not talking about your woman."
At this point, Cyrus already had his head hanging on the air, his eyes fully closed and his breathing even. Lyle who happened to catch such sight could only look at the General with an envious gaze. 'How lucky.'
"I mean, she's probably the only slave skilled in secretly killing wives and then seducing their husbands by offering her body at them."
"Brother!" This time it was Lyle who slammed the table as he promptly stood up to glare at Licht.
The Queen's face turned completely red, her lips trembling as she struggled to regain her composure. She shot a look at the King, as if demanding he step in and put a stop to this humiliation.
"Licht!" The King quickly complied–he too wanted to put a stop to this farce. His voice boomed, sharper this time, leaving no room for defiance. His eyes bore into his son with a mixture of wariness and anger. "You will not insult your family in fornt of our guest any further. Apologize at once!"
Despite this, the first prince didn't even blink an eye, in fact he didn't he look scared at all. In the contrary, he looked extremely happy. As if he's feeding off everyone's annoyance and disdain against him. "Why should I apologize? It's not like I did anything wrong." Slowly he lifted his slender hands and gestured to everyone (except Cyrus) seated on the table. "See? All of you are still alive." He playfully said, his eyes full of mishief as he met the furious gaze of the King.
"ENOU–Thud
The King's outburst was suddenly interrupted, everyone's eyes traveling towards the General who seemed to have fallen asleep, his head falling to the table with a thud.
"Hoho, it seems that my nephew couldn't handle the alcohol any longer and fell asleep. I apologize for that."
The tense atmosphere slightly eased as the Emperor softly laughed. The old man's amusement was evident, though it was hard to tell whether it was directed at his nephew's drunken state or the absurdity of the situation–probably both.
The Yerin King cleared his throat, his face a mixture of embarrassment and frustration as he straightened himself, trying to regain some semblance of authority. He glanced at the Emperor, whose soft chuckling had begun to die down.
"Your Majesty, I deeply apologize for the... unsightly argument you had to witness," the King began, his voice stiff but attempting to sound sincere. His eyes briefly flicked to his sons–Liam, stone-faced with barely-contained fury, and Licht, lounging with that insufferable grin. "It was not my intention for our dinner to turn into such a spectacle."
Before the King could get on his knees and beg, the Emperor quickly sushed him.
"No need, no need. As a father myself I know how hard it is to raise children–sons especially..."
He smiled at Licht and the other suprisingly returned it politely.
"Even my son can be a bit rebellious sometimes. Last time I saw him he left with his horse and went to war, hoho."
Though the joking tone was meant to lighten up the mood, the Yerin King looked horrified at the mention of war. His face paled as sweat formed from his forehead, the other royals weren't fairing any better–only the young prince and princesses giggled, oblivious to the hidden meaning of the joke. Licht's smile on the other hand looked as if it was going to stretch out to his ear.
The Emperor stood up, smoothing his robes, signaling the end of the evening's gathering. "Let us leave things as they are tonight. Tomorrow, perhaps, we can discuss matters more... productively."
He gave a curt smile, cutting off the King's protest. In the end, the Yerin King could only clench his hands, glaring at Licht from the corner.
"Of course, Your Majesty," the King agreed with gritted teeth, standing as well. The Emperor motioned for Yuno and the other, as if coming back to his senses nodded. He pinched Derick's side earning an "ow!" from the other.
He gave a small "excuse me" towards the Yerins before glaring at Yuno. Yuno sighed and pointed at the General sleeping on the table, Derick gave a small "oh" before hurrying up to stand beside the General.
"You grab the left and I'll handle right." With that, Yuno gave the remaining people a curt bow.
"Thank you for the dinner, sorry for the disturbance."
With that they exited the room. The Yerin King stood there, looking blankly at the door. The room turned silent once again, the atmosphere growing heavier every second.
Whistle..."Awkward."
Lyle covered his face, he just wanted to get out of here.
"So, isn't the General cute?"
'SHUT YOUR MOUTH YOU FUCKING BASTARD!!!'