As Brock returned to me, he looked around cautiously, his eyes scanning the hallway as if searching for potential eavesdroppers. He leaned in close, his voice barely above a whisper, his breath tickling my ear.
"I went to ask about some information concerning dinner," he said, his tone serious and conspiratorial. "You'll be sharing the same table with Her Highness, the princess of the realm."
I felt a surge of excitement mixed with nervousness. "What? Which Her Highness?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, my eyes wide with wonder.
Brock's expression was serious, his eyes locked on mine. "The princess of the realm, the daughter of the king and queen. It will be an honor, yet a distraction. You need to be careful, Young Master."
I nodded, my mind racing with questions. What did he mean by distraction? And why did I need to be careful? Was there something I should know about the princess?
Before I could ask any more questions, Brock continued. "Before you eat the food that's going to be served, you'll have to exchange the spoon with this one." He handed me a silver spoon, its surface glinting in the dim light of the hallway.
I took the spoon, feeling its weight in my hand, admiring its intricate design. "What's so special about this spoon?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.
Brock's expression was grim, his eyes serious. "If it turns brown after inserting it into your dinner, don't eat. It means that the food is poisonous."
My eyes widened in shock, my heart racing with fear. "Poisonous? Why would anyone try to poison me?" I asked, my voice shaking slightly.
Brock's expression was serious, his voice firm. "That's just all I know, Young Master. You'll now have to watch your back on your own if there are any other threats. I've done my part, now it's up to you."
I nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation, my mind racing with possibilities. I was in a world where I couldn't trust anyone, not even the food I ate.
Brock gestured his hand for us to make our way into the dining hall. "Let's go," he said. "We don't want to be late. The princess is already waiting."
I followed him, my heart racing with anticipation and fear. What lay ahead? And who could I trust? I looked down at the silver spoon in my hand, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Brock. He had given me a chance to protect myself, now it was up to me to stay safe.
Now sitting on the dinner table, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the grandeur of the setting. The long, ornate table stretched out before me, laden with fine china, crystal glasses, and silverware that sparkled in the soft light of the candelabras. The other boys were already seated, their eyes fixed on me with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion, their faces illuminated by the flickering flames.
Away from us, at a distance, were the other tables meant for the guards protecting us from any potential danger from the outsiders. They stood watchfully, their eyes scanning the room with a mixture of vigilance and boredom. It was a general dinner, like a ceremony, probably to welcome Her Highness joining us.
As I looked around, I saw the Boss standing at the entrance, his eyes scanning the room before nodding to someone behind him. And then, she emerged. The princess. The same woman who had come to visit me earlier. She was even more stunning than I remembered, her beauty radiating like a beacon in the dimly lit room.
Her long, golden hair cascaded down her back like a river of sunset hues, and her piercing blue eyes sparkled like diamonds in the candlelight. Her gown was a masterpiece of silk and satin, intricately embroidered with silver and gold thread, shimmering and shining with every movement.
She made her way to the throne set for her, her movements graceful and deliberate, her very presence commanding attention and respect. The room fell silent as she approached, the only sound the soft rustling of her gown, like the gentle lapping of waves on a summer shore.
As she reached her seat, the Boss stepped forward, his voice booming across the room, echoing off the high ceilings. "Please, everyone, rise and show your respect to Her Highness, the Princess of the Realm."
We all stood up, our chairs scraping against the floor as we rose to our feet, like a chorus of awkward movements. I followed suit, my heart racing with excitement and nerves, my mind reeling with the implications of being in the presence of royalty.
The princess smiled, her eyes scanning the room as we bowed our heads in respect, like a wave of subservience washing over us. "Thank you, everyone," she said, her voice like music, sweet and melodious. "Please, take your seats."
We sat down, our movements awkward as we tried to compose ourselves, like a group of schoolboys caught off guard by a sudden test. I couldn't help but steal glances at the princess, trying to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me, like a maelstrom of confusion and wonder.
As I looked around the table, I saw the other boys staring at me, their expressions ranging from curiosity to hostility, like a mixture of emotions simmering just below the surface. I definitely couldn't imagine what a first day I was having here. This time yesterday, I was probably at the orphanage, getting ready for dinner with a clear and open mind, like a blank slate waiting to be written upon. But now, I was here in an unknown environment, preparing for dinner in a wealthy environment, filled with potential enemies, like a lamb among wolves.
The princess attention seemed to focus more on me, I didn't know why I seemed to stand out, despite the number of people present at this dinner, I don't know what she expected of me, but I've this believe that I made a good first time impression.