Chapter 18

“Let's eat something first and then I can explain a few things, alright?”

Jade hesitantly nodded cause he was actually pretty hungry.

He was wary as heck but the scent of the meal before him had been pulling his attention the entire time.

Jade picked up the fork to his side and started eating.

He almost dropped his fork after the first bite but managed to keep his grip.

Wow…...the cooks here are amazing, Jade thought as he continued to eat.

The skin of the cut chicken on his plate was a golden brown and had some herbs covering it.

There was a soft herbal scent that was almost over masked by the scent of the chicken, but not entirely.

The rice seemed to have a similar herb mix with it, going well with the meat.

Before Jade knew it his whole plate had been cleaned.

He flushed as he looked over to see the King hadn't even started to eat.

“Would you like more?” The King asked when Jade met his eyes.

Jade looked back down at the table, his face burning.

“No I am ok.”

Jade felt pretty satisfied after the meal, it had been the perfect portion size unlike last time.

“Are you not going to eat?” Jade asked in hesitation.

The King blinked.

“Ah I usually do not-”

A soft growl from the King's direction startled Jade.

The King's eyes widened in mild shock.

He turned in his seat and grabbed the fork next to him.

“Ah- maybe I will eat some.”

Jade was a bit confused until he realized it was the King's stomach that had made the noise.

He had to cover his mouth so he wouldn't laugh but a tiny giggle managed to get out.

Jade looked down at Ryuu, giving the dragon a small pat on the head.

Ryuu had finished eating and was sleepily looking up at Jade, purring softly.

Jade looked at the King out of the corner of his eye, watching him eat.

The man seemed to have perfect table manners and each movement appeared graceful.

It made Jade worry over his own table manners.

He quickly removed his elbow from the table, having heard somewhere that it was rude.

Although he had zero clue where and when he had heard that.

After the King had finished eating the servants came by to clean up and refill Jades cup.

Jade grabbed his tea and leaned back in his seat, hesitantly looking at the man through his lashes.

“....So why did you give me a Prince title?” Jade asked quietly.

*And not kill or imprison me for trespassing*

“....You will probably be confused or not like my answer…” The King said quietly.

Jade looked at him in mild confusion.

“Well to be honest, it's probably better than having been killed for trespassing, your Majesty.” Jade said with a shrug and took a drink of his tea.

The King frowned.

“I said you can call me Vince.”

Jade blinked.

“Ah right… sorry…. Vince.”

Vince smiled, seeming pleased.

“My species…..has…. A mate basically….. And you are my mate.”

Jade just stared blankly at Vince for almost a full minute trying to process what he had just said.

Jade opened his mouth and then closed it.

He looked down at his tea, swirling it in mild confusion.

Mate? Jade thought.

He was barely his own person he did not really have time to be thinking of finding someone to spend his life with.

Jade took another sip of his drink, trying to sift through his thoughts.

He didn't particularly mind if who he ended up with was male or female so he saw no issues with that.

But the whole…. Him having sneaked into another territory illegally and then their King basically kinda proposing to him…..sorta… was throwing him for a loop.

“Was….the whole Prince title thing..like a proposal?” Jade asked in utter confusion.

Or saying he was basically already married? He had no idea of the customs for this sort of thing in their country.

Vince looked shocked for a second and shook his head.

“No no no! It was more of a way to make sure you would not be treated as an enemy with the guards who escorted you here. I wanted them to know to treat you well or face my anger later on.”

Well that did sort of make sense…. But he could have just said *treat him kindly or face my wrath*.