Thales stared solemnly at a piece of sausage on his plate. Holding his breath, he slowly raised his knife in the posture Jines taught him.
One… Two… Three seconds.
Finally, the prince heaved a loud sigh. He loosened his hands and placed his knife and fork back on both sides of his plate, giving up the intention to eat.
Sporting a headache, Thales raised his head and looked at the other side of the dining table… The blonde girl with jade-green eyes pouted and watched him with satisfaction. She, too, did not touch the food in front of her.
Once they entered the archduchess' dining hall, Saroma had coldly chased Ginghes and the two maidservants out of there, despite their protests. Strangely enough, Ginghes the female officer, put up a protest out of formality, but had otherwise complied with the archduchess' wish. In the past, it was rare to see such an instance.