Chapter 49: The King
The sudden appearance of the youngest Prince caught everyone off guard. But even more surprising was the man who followed behind him—the Crown Prince himself, Tristan von Aldercrest.
"What’s going on here?" asked the eighteen-year-old Prince, his brows drawn together in a sharp frown.
Eric stepped forward, calm and composed, and addressed the room so everyone could hear. "Bumping into someone by accident doesn’t give anyone the right to throw a punch. Tell me if I’m wrong, gentlemen."
The blue-haired boy kept his head down, his fists clenched in silence. Count Drevon stood nearby, his face caught in a mix of emotions—anger, confusion, and maybe even guilt.
Eric then turned to face the Duke and his son, his voice firm yet even. "And after that... mocking someone for their present, laughing at their choice—surely that’s not acceptable either."
Prince Tristan’s frown deepened. His eyes flicked between the two young boys, noting how neither dared to meet anyone’s gaze. That was all the confirmation he needed.
"Is it true, Gustav?" asked Duke Montclair, his voice low and heavy.
Gustav said nothing. He simply lowered his head, the silence speaking louder than any excuse could.
What most didn’t know was that Eric hadn’t seen the incident himself. He arrived just moments after the Count and Duke. It was his maid, Synthia, who saw everything. She was the one who told him, the one who led him here.
Eric walked over to Arthur, his steps quiet and steady.
"May I have the present you brought for me?" he asked gently.