17: The Royal Family (e)

It was a trick Trojan usually prepared when at a formal meeting. He needed to find a way to have a private conversation in a public space. Trojan wanted to prepare for everything when at a formal meeting, especially with the Royal Family, Trojan made sure to take a few precautions.

Trojan had two types of gloves. The white gloves which he wore when at a formal low-risk event and the black gloves which he wore in case of anything. Luckily, Trojan has decided to wear black gloves.

In his hands, he held a folded piece of paper with words written on it. Trojan held his right index finger to his lips and said to Eve, "Apologies, I would much prefer speaking face-to-face with you, Princess. Now that you are facing me, I shall keep quiet and allow you to speak."

Eve's eyes drifted from his face to his hand. The lighting was dark and the words were barely readable. Eve read through it.

'Be discreet, say the opposite of what you mean, they might be listening'

When her eye drifted back to Trojan, she looked at him, confused. Trojan put his hands down and flipped the paper discreetly while saying, "Princess, are you uncomfortable with speaking with me alone?"

Eve looked at the paper again.

'Shake your head if you understand'

Eve shook her head, saying, "No... no, not at all. I was just rather shocked by your words. I have never met someone with such a pet peeve before."

"Haha..." Trojan laughed lightly, clenching his left hand into a fist.

"Actually, thinking about it, I do not really mind the whole marriage," Eve said to Trojan, looking at him with determination in her eyes. "After all, it is for the benefit of our country. My father thinks highly of you, so it could never be too bad, can it?"

"I am glad to hear that," Trojan said, a small smile on his face.

"It is not like... I had an actual relationship or anything."

Eve was looking past him. "My father is a reasonable man, and I was not forced into the marriage in the slightest."

Trojan realised, Eve was a terrible liar. He was unsure if her lies were passable, but at least she was not blatantly ranting about her problem in front of him where her words could potentially reach the ears of the King one way or the other. Trojan, to make sure that her lying does not become too apparent, told her, "I would like to get to know you more before making my decision, Princess."

"You want to know more about me?" She asked him, slightly confused.

"Actually, I am a person who is rather fond of questioning. Perhaps it is a habit of mine since young but is it alright if I ask you a series of yes or no questions?" Trojan asked her.

It was harder to determine a lie if the only thing she said was 'yes' or 'no'.

"I do not mind," Eve replied, catching on to Trojan's intentions.

"Are you alright with the idea of marrying me?" Trojan started with the first question, trying to see if Eve still knew that she needed to lie.

"N-, sorry, I meant to reply with a Yes." Eve replied.

Well, the whole conversation was off to a shaky start. Trojan continued, "Is your father forcing you into the marriage?"

"Not at all."

Trojan nodded before asking, "If, hypothetically, I were to accept the marriage, would you hate me?"

The Princess blinked a few times before replying with a sweet smile, "Why would I?"

Trojan nodded and turned around already done with talking to the Princess. He told Eve, "Well, that concludes our private discussion. I do believe I have a better understanding of your personality."

Eve walked behind him, following him as Trojan walked through the halls. Trojan looked around, adjusting his left glove. He turned to look at the Princess before asking, "Apologies, but could you guide me towards the dining hall?"

"Of course."

As Trojan walked, following Eve, he glanced around at the brilliant hallway. He was not sure whether he succeeded in hiding the conversation from the King.

The reason for asking to speak with the Princess personally was to use it as an excuse. Rejecting the King's offer without an excuse was simply not going to work. By speaking with the Princess in the manner he just did, Trojan was able to return and reject the King's offer.

No matter how simple the conversation was, as long as neither Trojan nor Eve said anything that would go against the King, the King could not simply expose his method for eavesdropping. For the King to eavesdrop, it would prove that he did not trust Trojan, worse, it proved that he did not trust his own daughter. Should the King expose himself, Trojan would win as he could use the King's distrust as an excuse.

However, if Eve said anything that might offend the King, or let the King know he was about to reject the offer, she might be put in danger after Trojan left.

To ensure both Eve's and his own safety, Trojan did what he had to.

Eventually, Trojan and Eve walked back into the dining hall, where the royal family sat, the King looking rather pleased. Eve returned to her seat swiftly. Trojan made his way to his seat, his maid still standing there, his walking stick in her hands.

"Did the butler not escort you?" The King asked Trojan, his expression as cheerful as ever.

"It is not necessary," Trojan replied, sitting down. "My conversation with the Princess was rather short, after all."

"My daughter did not say anything weird, I suppose?" The King asked, trying to play the part.

"Not at all," Trojan said, laughing lightly.

There was a tense moment of silence before the King asked Trojan, "Your response?"

Trojan tried not to take too long to answer, for it would mess up his response. He also tried not to take too little time, for it would make him seem too eager.

"Apologies, but as delightful as my conversation with the Princess was, I would have to reject the idea of marriage," Trojan told the King.

Trojan could see the King's smile drop.

"Unfortunately, recently, I had agreed to marriage with the Marchioness Emilia," Trojan continued. "I did not bring this up previously as I did not want to appear as rude to the Royal Family, especially since the marriage with the Marchioness has yet to be set in stone."

Trojan knew that the King was trying to think about how to best respond, but Trojan could not allow him time to think.

Trojan stood up and adjusted his hat. He bowed to the King and told him, "I have to apologise, your majesty. It appears to be rather late, and after rejecting your offer to marry your daughter, I feel rather unwelcome by the Royal Family, so I shall take my leave instantly."

"W-" The King started to respond, but stopped himself.

A King should not come off as desperate, especially to someone of lower status. Trojan looked in a direction and asked, "Is that the direction of the door?"

"Why… yes, it is," The King said, forcing his smile back into his face.

"I do hope that my relationship with the Royal Family does not waver after tonight," Trojan said, bowing one last time before taking his walking stick from his maid. "I do wish to speak with your majesty, casually if given a chance."

"I'll consider it."

Trojan wakes off, out of the Palace and towards the carriage that laid waiting for them. Outside, Alastor was there to guide them.

Before they left, Alastor left them with a few parting words. "I am sure you will regret this in the near future."

"I doubt so," Trojan replied, walking away.