"...You have just become a candidate to inherit the throne."
"What...?"
Prince Lance — Rhys was already aware of how cunning he could be, and in a way, how determined he could also be. Even when they first met, Prince Lance personally flew all the way from Enkland in just a hunch that Lina might be the one that was in the photo that was trending on the internet.
And when he was there, he made the Secretary Karen, who had been trying to control Rhys, look like a child as he did whatever he wanted and just took him away before she could do anything.
No — he probably wasn't even there for Lina, he was there for him. As the person who had been making tabloids in Amerka, the royal family of Enkland would have surely taken an interest in Rhys as well. Prince Lance was probably already aware that Lina was with Rhys even before that blurred photo was leaked to the masses, it only finally gave him a reason to approach Rhys without looking suspicious.
Even when he activated the traps in the castle, he was probably testing Rhys if the news about his strength was real... this might also mean that he was fully aware of Rhys's abnormal reflexes and senses, which should not really be obviously visible to other people.
Someone as cunning and sharp as that... would have also probably known about the infiltrators beforehand.
This entire thing... was a set-up.
"Hm..." And as Rhys collected his thoughts, a very small smile escaped his lips as he glanced at Lance's table, only to see him also looking at him, raising a glass of wine at him and nodding.
"You suddenly went quiet, Master Rhys," Daniel lightly tapped the table to get Rhys's attention, "You do not really have to worry, you won't be a target to those who crave the throne from Uncle. Well...
...not yet, anyway. Maybe tomorrow?"
"Danny, come on," Lina scoffed as she gestured to Daniel to shut his mouth, "Rhys isn't interested in that."
"That is not entirely true, Ma'am."
"W... what?" Lina could not help but take in a small gulp as she looked at Rhys, "You mean—"
"If that's the price for wanting to be with you, then I'll gladly take the responsibility that comes with it," Rhys very gently grabbed Lina's hand and kissed it.
"R... Rhys," Lina gasped as she finally looked at Rhys's face again; tears, almost threatening to fall from her eyes, "Are you... are you proposing to me?"
"What...?" Rhys could not help but blink a couple of times as he heard Lina's words, "I'm—"
"Can the two of you not flirt here!?" And before Rhys could say anything, Vicky finally snapped out of her stupor; her eyes, trying their best not to look at Rhys, "It's... it's disgusting. Why are the two of you even at the same table as us?"
"Hm," Lina raised an eyebrow as she looked at Vicky, "We'll leave, then. Rhys... follow me to the bathroom."
"W... what are you guys planning to do in the loo?" Vicky also stood up almost at the same time as Lina. And suffice it to say, all of the attention in the banquet hall was on them — none of the other guests could really hear what they were talking about, they were really only interested in Rhys and observing him.
"Hm," the King smiled and nodded before he finally turned to look at Rhys and also saluted to him, "And could this be the famous Master Rhys? At ease, Soldier."
"Please, Your Majesty..." Rhys shook his head, "...Just call me Rhys."
"Nonsense," the King chuckled, "I have heard from my son that you are to teach these rowdy bunch a thing or two of what you know. It's time for these children to actually know what it's like to really serve the country and not be on their phones all day."
"That..." For some reason, Rhys could not really rebuke the King's words, and he probably shouldn't in the first place, "...I will do my best, Your Majesty."
"Hm," the King smiled and nodded before gesturing to the Queen, "Dear, this is Master Rhys."
"Everyone knows who he is," Queen Charlotte reached out her hand to Rhys, "You seem taller in person, Master Rhys. You have made quite a name for—"
And before Charlotte could finish her words, the entire banquet hall was suddenly filled with gasps as Rhys... kissed the Queen's hand.
"Rhys..."
Rhys quickly turned to look at Lina as she nudged him and tapped him on the waist. Was... he not supposed to do that?
"Pft," Queen Charlotte, however, broke the sudden stifling silence that followed as she let out a hearty giggle, "Oh my, when was the last time a proper gentleman stood in this hall? And a foreigner at that."
"I... apologize, Your Majesty. I overste—"
"No," the King held Rhys's shoulder and interrupted him, "Do not apologize for attempting etiquette, my boy."
"Still, I—" Rhys could not finish his words again as he felt the King's grip suddenly tightened.
"How about some entertainment, then!?"
Rhys could really only watch as the King suddenly backed away from him; once again stretching his arms to the side. And this time, he suddenly took off his coat... revealing all the raging muscles that were hiding beneath his clothes.
"Oh no..." Lance could not help but cover his face, "...I knew he was being too behaved."
Agatha, on the other hand, could not help but smile and nod several times.
As for Rhys, he finally realized where Agatha and half of the family got their temperament from. And judging by the smiles and claps of the other guests... This was normal behavior coming from the King.
Just... how random and eccentric are these people?
"Master Rhys," the King gritted his teeth as he flexed his muscles, "As two people who have served our country...
...how about we show these young people how it's done?"