C101
Zachary's expression hardened from the moment Fernand walked over to hand Bianca the rose.
Fortunately, thanks to his blunt expression in the first place, his displeasure was not revealed openly.
However, as soon as Bianca threw away the rose she had been given, a smile crept across Zachary's lips, revealing the truth that he was uncomfortable with Fernand's approach. In the end, it was the couple who couldn't control their facial expressions.
Fernand kept looking at Bianca after that. It was evident in his face that Bianca's throwing of the rose was also seen as a rejection, or an exaggeration due to Zachary's look.
“How the hell can you live in such an illusion? Do you really think that with my husband by my side I would pay attention to a minstrel as weak as an anchovy?”
Bianca clicked her tongue.
When she remembered Zachary's solid body holding her, her face flushed.
Of course, in her previous life, she paid more attention to that weak anchovy than to Zachary, but she was also the one who regretted that moment more than anyone.
Bianca stuck her nose into the table to avoid looking at the center of the banquet hall where Fernand was, and stuffed the food into her mouth.
Seeing her overeating, Zachary worried her off.
-Eat slowly. Here, fill up with more wine.
Zachary manually summoned the attendant and filled Bianca's wine glass. A nobleman, who was watching them, said with admiration.
“I never imagined that Count Arno would be such a loving husband. He is very kind to the countess.
-That's how it is. In the tournament he was also very romantic. I never imagined that the Count would know such a romance.
"Is it because the countess is beautiful?" It is understandable that Count Arno has kept her hidden in the estate until now.
As if everyone was waiting for someone to open the door, the flow of conversation quickened as Bianca became the hot topic.
Bianca was the most prominent person at the banquet, but she was not at all happy with the situation. Contrary to her words, she knew that her appearance was not particularly glamorous.
He knows his appearance better than anyone. It wasn't just because she made her first appearance in the capital that they overrated Bianca. They were just making up an excuse to give praise.
Why? To undermine Princess Odelli for nothing less than her wishes!
“There must have been a big age difference when they got married.
“I would not have expected Count Arno to develop this kind of playfulness.
"Yes, that's right, I think I should take the title of Princess Odelli, who has been called the Rose of Sevran."
It was a pointless conversation. Although Princess Odelli was not openly discredited, since the king clearly cared for her, her intention was clear.
It wasn't even funny. Obviously, Princess Odelli was much more beautiful than Bianca. Her blonde hair flowed like honey, her blue eyes sparkled under her deep eyes and her milky skin was creamy. Even if several decades passed, Princess Odelli would not be stripped of the title of Rose of Sevran.
But she had no interest in men, she was arrogant and would not give them even the slightest glance. There were many people in Sevran who bore a grudge for courting her and being beaten so coldly. Behind them, who extolled Bianca as a younger and worthier lady than Princess Odelli, lurked the not-so-fun and discreet intentions of the men that they might approach Princess Odelli if her reputation deteriorated.
Bianca sat expressionless among those who spoke loudly about her. Princess Odelli, whom she knew, was not a person who would show hostility towards Bianca using this frivolous conversation as an excuse, but Bianca herself couldn't listen anymore.
Since he didn't know what to say in such a heated atmosphere, it was necessary to end the conversation at this point.
As if laughing at Bianca, the story flowed out before she could open her mouth, without a moment to intervene. In a totally unpleasant way.
“That minstrel also recognized Countess Arno's splendid beauty, that's why he handed her the rose.
“Ah, speaking of roses, Prince Jacob also presented a rose to Countess Arno at the tournament. If she's someone she meets regularly...
The man who said that was Viscount Huegh. Viscount Huegh, who was far away, spoke so loudly, that the eyes of those who were not interested in the subject of Bianca turned to Bianca. Viscount Huegh, who caught everyone's attention, looked at Bianca and smiled meaningfully.
It was a sinister smile that made goosebumps rise on her skin.
Bianca couldn't ignore the malice mixed with Viscount Huegh's question.
What is he up to?
Bianca frowned and tried to refute, but Jacob cleverly intervened.
-Ha ha. I'm just worshiping. The countess's beauty stole my heart.
Jacob's face when he responded to Viscount Huegh's words was very soft. As if he knew the arrow would return to him.
Of course, the fact that Prince Jacob gave Bianca the roses was no big deal, so it was a predictable topic, but Bianca instinctively noted that Jacob was directing the flow of the conversation. Since she knew Viscount Huegh, she must have had him conduct the conversation this way.
Bianca laughed at Jacob inside. It was clear that she had a plan for her flirtation. What could Jacob gain by pretending to like her? But as long as she clings to her reason, she will not function as Jacob intended.
Bianca's reason was chilled by the handsome prince's sweet confession, as she never thought Jacob would like her. Rather, the look of her that he looked at her as if she wanted to tenaciously lick her was terrifying.
Everyone roared with laughter at Jacob's witty comment. But they couldn't just laugh without thinking.
Each and every one of her laughs, before Zachary's countenance, made her feel uncomfortable.
Meanwhile, Zachary watched the situation as quietly as the eye of a storm. Those who carelessly opened their mouths at his expressionless expression, unable to understand what he was thinking, kept their mouths shut, fearing the mistake they might have made. Some thoughtful people even tried to dissuade Jacob.
"But, Prince, why don't you focus on marriage, instead of a court romance?"
"What is the meaning of marriage?"
"Still, however...
—It's a relationship between adults, what's the problem? As long as I like it, I'm happy just to have fun.
Jacob rather raised his voice. No matter how public court romance was, it was not something to say out loud in the middle of a banquet. Even more so if it is a single man from the royal family who has passed the age of 30. The old king's forehead twitched.
A king must be careful with his words. If he intervenes by mistake, he may go against the spirit of the hero, Zachary, or show weakness in front of Castilla.
The king seemed disgusted with his second son, who was making a fuss over nothing.
As everyone watched, Zachary's mouth, which had been silent until now, dropped open. His voice was calm and quiet, but it was difficult to pronounce each word with ease.
—Coveting something out of place, on the battlefield, is enough to lose your mind several times
“This is not a battlefield, this is the royal palace of the capital of the kingdom.
“The royal palace is also a battlefield in another sense.
Jacob smiled and pretended to be relaxed, but Zachary was also formidable. Zachary and Jacob's eyes collided, and sparks erupted.
Not only that, but all three of Zachary's commanders also burned with fury at the thought that their master had been insulted.
The atmosphere turned bloody, as if a sword was going to be drawn at any moment.
The banquet hall turned cold as if water had been poured on the fight that did not take a single step back. The musicians also looked at Zachary and Jacob, as their hands touched the strings.
-The prince. My wife is not happy with her approach. Is it true that she really adores my wife? Does she know that her insensitive comments torment my wife? What she is doing right now is not a love affair, but an obsession in vain.
Zachary's face was too soft and his voice was calm. It was hard to understand his emotions, but there was definitely a gap.
It was in his clenched fists under the table that his anger brazenly revealed itself. She squeezed so hard, the veins on the back of her hand popped. Even just talking about Jacob and Bianca showed her deep dislike.
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