Jameson had gotten to the dining hall, and everyone had already taken their seats. They turned to look at who had just entered. All eyes were on him; some scrutinised him, while others were surprised at how handsome the prince turned out to be.
Jameson stood for some minutes, taking his time to look at the people seated at the table while registering the information his system gave him to look into later.
[File storage level rank E unlocked]
Interesting, Jameson chuckled, seeing the seat that had been kept for him next to his sister. He walked to the table, the cane echoing on the tiled floor.
Daniel took a position by the wall with the other personal attendants of the royal family, while one of the servants drew out Jameson's seat for him.
He offered a weak smile before taking his seat.
"Round 1," he muttered to himself.
He knew how books like these worked, and he had read a few of them; also, having the prince's memory, he knew how to put up a front.
"Jameson, it is lovely for you to have joined us. I thought you wouldn't have made it, after all, you never appear before the court." Estella remarked.
Making known to the others that he wasn't the most favoured prince, and he had no prior knowledge of how the courts worked, so they thought.
Jameson, lips curled, turned to look at his step-mother, then looked at his father, "You asked for me, father?" he inquired, making it look like he was purely there because of his father, ignoring his step-mother's remarks.
The king was not ready for another argument, especially one before his loyal subjects. He needed to make sure his family kept up the image of unity before the court.
"Yes I did, and is that how you greet your mother?" the king voiced through smiles, leaving others at the further end of the table to wonder what they were talking about, while they also immersed about the first prince, some began to scheme how they'll make their daughter go for the first if they couldn't have the second, they saw nothing wrong with the first prince, since rumour had it that he had a defect which made him sickly since he was young.
Jameson's lips stretched further, the smile not reaching his eyes, "Mother? I thought she was five feet under." Jameson retorted, pointing at one of the trays filled with some fruits, as the servants began to serve the first course of the meal.
Estella turned to look at him, her smile faltering, as her fork fell from her hands, making a clattering sound.
She always dreaded being around him because, in more ways than one, he found ways to make a mockery of her time and time again, like he had fun poking people because of his own misery.
"Sorry, I thought I saw a fly perch on my food," she quickly covered up.
The king's eyes sternly landed on his son, knowing the boy had indirectly called him out, the king knew he couldn't act out in public, especially in front of his officials.
This was the one child who had a way of getting under his skin. The child he once loved, before his beloved wife died, and he blamed it all on Jameson.
Jameson looked at his father briefly, knowing he had the upper hand. Looking away, he continued eating, a smug smile coming to rest on his face.
Meanwhile, Prince Randolf skipped lunch, the news from the morning still a shock to him.
Castella coughed lightly before taking a sip of her water, not wanting to also involve herself and wondering what had gotten into Jameson, because he didn't openly challenge his family outside, but rather he usually did them in their private quarters.
Castella kicked Jameson's foot under the table, giving him a glare. Jameson looked at his younger sister, giving her a light smile.
Estella looked at the king, signalling him to tell Jameson the announcement that had been made. Wanting to see his reaction, maybe she'll win this second round.
"Your father has decided to look for a wife for you alongside your brother," Estella revealed, silently watching her stepson's reaction.
Jameson smiled weakly, "Oh, really? And here I was thinking, I'll grow old with you both and pester you to your deaths," he replied.
His mind working overtime, he knew sooner or later this was going to happen, and he was being used as a pawn in this because, in the end, it was all for the old man's amusement.
"Is that why Randolf looked like he had seen a ghost?" Jameson said, taking a jab at his younger brother, also trying to get more information from both mother and son.
Estella's smile faltered, Jameson picked up the napkin by his side, dapping his lips, he dropped it and stood, "Thank you for the hearty lunch invitation, Father." He bowed lightly.
Then looked at his step-mother, "Don't miss me too much, you'll be seeing me at this evening's opening ball," he remarked, before he walked out of the dining room.
Estella gazed at his back, gritting her teeth, "Don't worry, by the second ball it'll be over soon, let's see you run your mouth by then," she muttered to herself.