An awkward silence hung in the air.
Cedric Acadia looked at the raven-haired youth with the same smile on his face, but his blue eyes betrayed his inner emotions.
His aide, the hunchedback old man, however, wasn't as courteous as him. He glared at Adam, furiously shouting, "Boy, you dare make fun of His Highness?! You ungrateful rat, have you forgotten your place—"
"Yaka."
The Prince calmly raised his hand, interrupting him.
Yaka, the hunchedback old man, gnashed his teeth as he stared daggers at Adam. He lingered for a moment, then turned away.
"Please, forgive me for my behavior, Your Highness." He bowed respectfully.
Cedric Acadia shook his head, smiling. "No, you don't have to apologize to me."
He paused, then added evenly, "You also don't have to reprimand Count Constantine. After all, I was the one who gave him permission to speak frankly."
Adam appeared calm throughout the entire interaction. He had a faint smile on his face, but his eyes… his eyes had turned cold.
