Chapter Fifty
Jack's POV — Quiet Humiliation
The halls of the palace felt louder than usual.
Not because of noise…
But because of the whispers.
I walked through the corridor as servants bowed slightly and nobles stepped aside. Everything looked the same as always.
Nothing had changed.
Except the way people looked at me.
"…that's him."
"The one who—"
Their voices dropped the moment I passed.
I didn't bother turning.
I already knew.
The dining hall was already filled when I entered.
My brother sat comfortably at the table, speaking with a few nobles. The moment he saw me, a small smile appeared on his face.
Not the pleasant kind.
"Well," he said, leaning back, "the prince finally arrives."
I took my seat without replying.
A servant placed a cup beside me.
"Careful," my brother added casually. "Wouldn't want you to drop it."
A few nobles chuckled.
I lifted the cup and took a sip.
Still steady.
"Relax," I said lightly. "It's just tea."
My brother smirked.
"For now."
The conversation continued, but I could feel it.
Every glance.
Every small pause.
Every unfinished sentence.
They weren't even hiding it anymore.
Later, during court, it was worse.
Discussions moved around trade and alliances, but somehow the topic always circled back.
"Some princes," one noble said carefully, "spend more time outside their responsibilities than within them."
Another added,
"Priorities must be… properly guided."
I almost laughed.
Almost.
Instead, I rested my chin lightly against my hand.
"If you have something to say," I said calmly, "you can say it directly."
The room fell quiet for a second.
Then someone forced a polite smile.
"Of course not, Your Highness."
Of course.
After court, I stepped out into the palace garden.
Snow covered the ground, untouched and quiet.
Finally… silence.
I exhaled slowly.
It wasn't new.
The mocking.
The comments.
The expectations.
But today it felt… heavier.
Maybe because I had seen something different before.
Something simpler.
I looked down at my hand.
Still steady.
Still controlled.
Good.
That's how it should be.
A faint sound of laughter came from inside the palace.
I turned slightly but didn't go back.
Instead, I walked further into the garden.
The cold didn't bother me.
It was quieter here.
Easier.
People expected reactions.
Anger.
Embarrassment.
But I gave them nothing.
Because giving nothing…
meant they had nothing to take.
I stopped near the edge of the garden and looked out at the distant snow-covered land.
For a brief moment, a thought crossed my mind.
France.
The café.
Voices that didn't sound like this.
I exhaled again and pushed the thought away.
This was England.
This was where I belonged.
"Still here?"
My brother's voice came from behind.
I didn't turn.
"Just getting some air."
He walked closer.
"You should get used to it."
"To what?"
"This," he said lightly. "Expectation. Pressure. Judgment."
I smiled faintly.
"I was born into it."
"Then act like it," he replied.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then he walked away.
I stayed there a little longer.
Snow falling.
Silence stretching.
Everything calm on the outside.
Just the way it should be.
I turned and walked back toward the palace.
Same expression.
Same steady steps.
Same silence.
Nothing had changed.
And nothing would.
For now.
---