Chapter 86

“It should be, it is Gretta Wine, after all, five pounds a bottle.” Lord Jayson answered. But it was clear from his expression and those of the other two that they were expecting a real answer from him.

His attempt to change the subject was pathetic, not that he had expected it to work in the first place. He felt like a trapped animal, predators circling in front of him, with no idea how to escape.

Could he lie so easily in front of a prince, a princess, and a duke's son without repercussions?

He could hide the truth, sure, but there was a difference between concealing information no one knew about and hiding something when people was fully aware he was keeping a secret.

Once again, he felt the gulf between their ranks. He was a lord, yes, but merely a baron. Compared to them, he was roughly equivalent to a baron's steward, especially considering that a member of the royal family, even one not in the direct line of succession, could petition the king to strip him of his title.

He had gotten so used to being treated like nobility that he would likely fight to keep it now. 

Unlike in the beginning, when he wouldn't have cared if he reverted to a commoner, his perspective had shifted. 

People really do change over time.

“Gretta wine... I wonder if I could ask Lord Winthrope for a bottle.” Adrian said with a chuckle. But he was met with a faintly displeased look from Prince Bennett, causing him to swallow hard.

“Believe me, Your Grace, I am just as surprised and confused by Sir Sylwen's offer. Even his Elven friends were too.” Adrian gestured lightly toward the other elves while avoiding their gaze.

“So you aren't hiding anything? Like... not being human, for example?” Prince Bennett stepped forward, radiating an aura of authority cultivated since youth.

Though Adrian was the same height as the prince and possessed a more refined build, he still couldn't help feeling intimidated.

“Your Grace, I don't know why Princess Skyla said those words, but I am undoubtedly human, if that even needs to be questioned.” Adrian pretended to cower slightly, taking a half-step back. 

“And I wonder what led to such an assumption? Surely an interest from the elves isn't enough to reach that conclusion?”

This time, it wasn't one of the humans who spoke, but Sir Sylwen. “I guarantee you, Prince, Lord Harrow is human.”

Adrian felt his mouth begin to curl, now grateful for the support, but he quickly checked himself.

“But there is something... special about you, isn't there?” Princess Skyla spoke up, a hidden intensity in her gaze that Adrian actually struggled to meet.

“I believe there is something special about everyone.” Adrian said.

“Apparently, you're special enough to be invited by our friends here.” Princess Skyla said without missing a beat.

“As to why that is, I only have a faint idea. Perhaps you should ask them directly, since they are standing right here.” Adrian responded.

“Is that why you approached them? To ask them yourself?”

“As a matter of fact, yes.”

“And what answer did they give you?”

“That the only person who truly knows themselves is... themselves. Which, honestly, confused me even more. Again, you can simply ask them.”

“Then you agree, you know yourself, and you know what's special about you.”

“I believe I already mentioned that I am wondering the same thing. I even expressed some of my frustration, impolite as that was to them.”

The back-and-forth continued, the surrounding crowd seemingly forgotten. It was only Lord Jayson's chuckle that snapped Adrian back to reality. Realizing they were practically bickering, he remembered the audience and looked around in horror at what he had just done.

Had he really just casually and openly bickered with a princess?

It would have been his head on a spike if he hadn't built a reputation in the tourney and helped Prince Cale with his port city.

But then, maybe he was overthinking this?

Adrian cleared his throat, finding it dry. “I apologize for my conduct, Princess. I lost composure there. I hope you can forgive me.” He bowed and did not rise until she responded.

A moment passed before he heard a faint sigh. “Lord Harrow is… a tenacious man indeed.”

Adrian's heart skipped a beat, a sense of foreboding about to settle over him before she continued. “But to some, such an attitude could be considered admirable, I suppose. Rise, Lord Harrow.”

Adrian straightened and caught the princess's expression. Her face had returned to a neutral calm, but a faint smile lingered, and the cold glint in her blue eyes sent a chill up his spine.

He could tell immediately that she was holding a grudge, or at least planning something and the realization must have shown on his face, because her smile widened.

Adrian averted his gaze to the others. He saw Lord Jayson's eyes flicking back and forth between him and the princess, glinting with amusement, while Prince Bennett was now watching his sister with narrowed eyes.

Adrian was taken aback by their reactions, intrigued, before turning toward the elves. They were openly watching, as if taking in a play, expressions of amusement written across their faces.

He tried not to send a faint glare toward Sir Sylwen, the cause of all this trouble. The elf could have simply lied, though, to be fair, they hadn't made an agreement to hide anything.

Perhaps that should have been his first thought, but he refused to blame himself for this.

Unbeknownst to him, Princess Skyla and Prince Bennett were communicating through eye contact alone, while Lord Jayson remained content to simply observe.

Then Adrian felt a stern gaze directed at him and realized it was from Prince Bennett. The air around the prince had shifted, though Adrian didn't know why.

“You are clearly hiding obvious truths, Lord Harrow. I don't know whether I should be offended or not.” Prince Bennett said. Adrian's mouth twitched, but before he could respond, the prince lightly shook his head. “However, our elven friends clearly recognize your quality, and this is neither the time nor the place to pry into one's secrets.”

Relief washed over Adrian's entire body, and his bandaged hand clenched behind his back.

“Indeed, I think we have put Lord Harrow in an uncomfortable position.” Lord Jayson interjected on his behalf. “Look at him. He is pale and shaking, likely still exhausted from the earlier hunt, not to mention his injured hand.”

Adrian could almost cry with gratitude for Lord Jayson's support. His pale complexion and bandaged hand only added credibility to the defense.

“There is no need to worry over my condition. It is an honor to speak with the Prince and Princess, and of course with Lord Jayson as well.” Adrian said humbly.

Prince Bennett didn't respond, merely taking a sip of his drink.

Princess Skyla spoke up instead. “Indeed, Lord Harrow is pale. Perhaps a more open conversation will be possible tomorrow.”

Prince Bennett's gaze shot toward her, silently conveying his disapproval, but his sister ignored him.

Expecting as much, Adrian could only respond, “Of course. How could I deny the honor of speaking with members of the royal family?”

Meanwhile, he was inwardly pondering whether he should injure himself further tonight or feign illness by lightly poisoning himself. 

But that was ridiculous... how would he even obtain poison without anyone noticing?

“Good then.” Princess Skyla nodded.

Soon, the conversation turned to the elves. As Adrian observed, they exchanged only a few words with the humans, with Sir Sylwen doing most of the talking, quite the contrast to how they had acted when speaking with Adrian earlier.

While the attention of the two royals was occupied by the elves, Lord Jayson discreetly approached him.

“I would like to take a bit of your time as well, Lord Harrow. By the way, I believe we never even discussed the activities in the east at Prince Cale’s upcoming port city.”

Adrian nodded. “We simply haven't had a proper opportunity,” he said, wondering what Lord Jayson was planning. The Duke of Dorshire could rightly be considered the masters of the royal navy, or at least the faction with the greatest influence over maritime affairs.

“Then I hope we will find one. Even after the tourney concludes, I hope Lord Harrow remains a little longer and doesn't depart so quickly.” Lord Jayson said, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

His words reminded Adrian that the tourney had indeed come to an end. He could leave tomorrow if he wished, provided he had no prior obligations. But it seemed he had drawn enough attention and earned enough of a reputation to prevent a quick exit.

He couldn't help but feel baffled. Hadn't he been trying to avoid interacting with high-ranking nobles and simply enjoy his time here? How had things escalated to this point?

“Of course.” Was all he could say. At this point, he could only accept things. 

Lord Jayson chuckled. After exchanging a few more words with Lord Jayson, the prince, the princess, and the elves to whom he gave a look Adrian excused himself and returned to Dexton, who was conversing with a few knights.

By that point, Adrian was mentally exhausted. He offered only short replies to the questions of the other knights and lords. He no longer cared if he incurred their dislike, he now had the attention of figures far more powerful than them.

The private celebration soon drew to a close. Lord Corvus instructed him to keep his schedule open tomorrow afternoon, while Lord Winthrope asked to see him before he departed.

‘Well... at least Ela won't accuse me of failing to make connections with lords and ladies.’

“She certainly won't, My Lord.” Dexton said, chuckling, making Adrian realize he had uttered the thought aloud.

Adrian could only laugh wryly. Then, as soon as he was alone in his own room, he examined his chest once again.