Chapter 21: Stupefied

Seated at the dinner table were the king, the queen, the crown prince, the first princess, and the second and third princesses.

Unexpectedly, Zephyr had joined them because Blair had asked him to.

Everyone had been astounded when Blair and her bodyguard walked into the dining room, they had been more surprised when she asked him to sit by her side and eat.

None of them could hide their astonishment as they gazed at them.

Even Margaret who was indifferent to everything seemed disgusted to see the bodyguard eating with them.

Not that she couldn't afford to dine with a handsome man like him. But because of his status.

He was far away from her class... Very far.

Ethan and Freya, by contrast, greeted him with a smile, but his eyes were concentrated on the meal served before him. He couldn't see their countenances.

Coraline instead looked at him with a sort of admiration with her azure eyes. She was fascinated by the man's ethereal appearance, and she wished to be the one beside him, in Blair's place.

Blair saw that look in her eyes and a frown was beginning to settle on her face, she came closer to Zephyr who was busy chewing his food gently.

To Claim him, and have Cora throw away the thoughts she had about her bodyguard.

Zephyr had no idea how hungry he was until he tasted the food, he wished he could get a whole plate of it.

"Ehem " The king cleared his throat, succeeding in directing their gazes to him with the exception of Zephyr who was not disturbed by the entire scenario.

"Blair, I heard that you got him a bed in your room and also a closet... Is it necessary? I mean, the palace is spacious enough, with plenty of rooms. You should've given him one instead of letting him stay in the same room as you" He clarified, as he was worried for his daughter.

Not that he didn't trust her, but he didn't trust Zephyr. Because he was a man and any thought could enter his mind to take advantage of the princess.

"I'll be alright father, I just want to be secure, that's all. At least, when he's around me, I can worry about nothing and have stability in sanity"

Ethan nodded, and as usual, he took the side of his sister. "I think there's a point in what she said" he declared.

"Okay then" The king replied without premeditation. He believed that anything the crown prince accepted was reasonable since Ethan was a wise man.

Coraline didn't like what was going on, in her case, she wanted the man for herself because he was just too beautiful.

So, she pointed out. "I think little sister has forgotten about manners and so have you, crown prince" She spat in disgust.

Ethan glared at her, though she was his sister. He didn't like her! And he only tolerated her because of his mother, Margaret.

"How can a man and a woman live together when they aren't married, what do you want the citizens to talk about, what do you want outsiders to talk about?, I suggest that we divide the chamber."

"What are you driving at, second princess?" Ethan asked.

Coraline's lips appeared in a slight sneer. She knew that they wouldn't be able to refuse her next words.

"Blair is betrothed to Sebastian right? how would it feel if the pitiful man hears about his soon-to-be wife, sharing a room with another man?"

The king's parted open, a sigh escaped from it. He was torn between his daughter's happiness and her reputation. He had promised Blair's mother to give Blair whatever she wished for.

He wasn't even able to decide on this uncomplicated matter.

"How about we divide the chamber?"

Coraline reiterated her question, pulling the king back from his train of thought. Maybe, that was all he needed to do. That way, Blair could be happy and her reputation could also be saved.

The King was about to pass his order when Blair spoke.

"No" Came the sharp response of Blair.

she knew what her elder sister was up to. She was trying to separate Zephyr from her so she could get in between them and rob her of her bodyguard.

And once she used him, she could dump it like she always does with the boys she was infatuated with.

But Blair wouldn't allow that, she didn't want anyone to get close to him, except herself!

"Why sister?" She raised her left brow, her tongue clicking in annoyance. "I care about you and I don't want anything that would soil your reputation, you know how men can be a-"

Without completing her statement, Zephyr cut her short, his deep voice ringing into everyone's ears.

"Stupid are you, second princess? I'm not like other men" He clarified. His gray eyes glared down at her.

Upon hearing this, Cora's nose flared in anger. She rashly stood up from the chair, forgetting her manners at that time. She banged the table, startling everyone around her.

"Says the leader of them all".

"You see Blair, you need to stay away from this man! If he can be this rude, then I doubt that he wouldn't commit other atrocious acts."

She finished her statement, her heart thumping rarely inside of her, she wanted to unleash her wolf.

Just because she liked him doesn't mean that he could be impolite to her.

"I think you're overreacting Coraline, it's Blair's business so stay out of it. Besides, she has a high level of rationality than you do, she would be able to take care of herself" Freya stated calmly.

"Father! Can you see what's happening!" Coraline cried out.

The King rubbed his temples with his fingers, he has heard enough for a day. The loudness in the hall was just too much for him to handle. "You're all dismissed" He calmly said.

"W-what?"

"You're all DISMISSED" He yelled in irritation.

They started exiting the dining area one by one. Leaving the king behind. He sighed as he watched their disappearing backs, he couldn't be more convinced that they were behaving like market women.