Chapter 270: Betrothed
Rose made sure to observe proper dining etiquette, just as Lady Delphine had taught her. She had the older lady to thank for more than a few things. At least, she could feel less out of place.
There wasn’t really much of a conversation at first. They simply exchanged pleasantries, and no one spoke to her directly. Rose didn’t mind being excluded; she was sure it was already awkward for the lord and lady to have her at the table. They were most likely being cordial because of the crown prince.
Rylen was a pretty good conversationalist and Rose couldn’t help but understand why the crown prince trusted him so much. Caius barely spoke while Rylen handled most of the conversation.
Lord Leopold and Lady Deana seemed to have only two children—boys. The boys both looked older than fifteen, and Rose was almost envious of how easily they joined in the conversation.
Lord Leopold made a comment about them joining the crown prince to hunt the bandits, and they laughed about it. Lady Deana didn’t find the joke very funny and she scolded her husband about which only made him laugh more.
After that, Lord Leopold asked the crown prince about his parents, the King and Queen, and Rose didn’t miss how Caius left Rylen to answer this. Rylen gave a decent answer, but Lord Leopold didn’t seem satisfied by it.
Suddenly, a sly smile appeared on his face, and Rose felt a chill. She didn’t pay much attention to it and tried to enjoy her meal as best as she could.
"Your Highness, you’re at that age now. Shouldn’t you be getting married to your betrothed?" Lord Leopold blurted.
Lady Deana jerked her head in her husband’s direction, while Rylen looked at Caius with utter disbelief. Rose had not been paying full attention to the conversation, but this was enough to make her lift her head again. There was silence for more than two breaths, and in that moment, one could hear a pin drop.
"You’re betrothed?" Rylen asked in horror, finally breaking the silence. He looked from Caius to Leopold as though expecting one of them to deny it.