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[indent][sup][color=ab274f]Attire:[/color] [url=https://i.imgur.com/rijwHsc.jpg]Business & dinner fit[/url]
[color=ab274f]Time:[/color] 6:00 pm
[color=ab274f]Location:[/color] Castle Dining Room
[color=ab274f]Mention(s):[/color] [@Potter] Ezra
[color=ab274f]Interaction(s):[/color] [@princess] Alibeth, Edin, Anastasia
[/sup][/indent][/cell][/row][/table]The prince observed Ezra with mild curiosity. The baker’s act was quite good, but Wulfric had already noticed small discrepancies in it when they’d first met. There was also the fact that the man had gone on to drastically change his appearance for some reason. 

Somewhat surprisingly, the man left of his own accord. That in itself was almost enough for him to wish that he’d kept the peasant around for observation for a while longer. [i]Almost.[/i]

Wulfric supposed the baker would attempt to ingratiate himself to his father and sister while he wasn’t around.

In fact, based on their reactions, he’d already managed to do as much – to an extent.

At his sister’s comment, he turned to her with a serious countenance. [color=ab274f]“Seeming is not the same as being, Anastasia,”[/color] he stated, giving her an intent look.

To his father, he directed a confused frown. He didn’t like the idea that Ezra was considered as an option for their [i]personal cook[/i]. But even stranger was that his father – the man who was only ever capable of appreciating people for what they provided him – was so quick to show regard for this baker.

He had even called him by his name, twice. [i]Without getting it wrong.[/i] So, he’d genuinely remembered Ezra as someone noteworthy.

[color=ab274f]“I apologize father, I wasn’t aware that you were quite so [i]fond[/i] of him.”[/color] A slightly odd tone entered his voice at that inadvertent yet subtle emphasis. Edin could be [i]so fucking easy[/i]; he didn’t even realize how many of those who earned his like were playing him. And [i]this[/i], the man who had been [i]so afraid[/i] of his [i]heir[/i] showing genuine regard to someone, he had [i]even[/i]– 

Wulfric reigned that line of thought in, making no show of his minor distraction, and returned to the matter at hand.

No, he hadn’t realized the baker had nearly won over his father. And now Edin was in a poor mood. How bothersome.

This [i]was[/i] an opportunity to sway him from the idea of hiring him, however. At the very least, if there was an attempt to be made, the man [i]needed[/i] to be investigated. Though, Wulfric would certainly prefer it if he simply kept to his own bakery.

[color=ab274f]“His skills notwithstanding, I find his character dubious,”[/color] he decided to address his concerns. [color=ab274f]“The previous evening, he made a whole show of advertising his establishment, even using my siblings for it,”[/color] he summarized.

What else? Wulfric had been wary of him at the range…Ah. [color=ab274f]“From what I’ve observed, he had likely said something rude to Lord Smithwood before their archery match.”[/color] He was glad he’d remembered having seen something off there. It had mostly been an assumption on his part, but he did know Leo well enough to have surmised as much from body language alone. Admittedly, Wulfric didn’t consider this an especially valid reason, but his father might.

[color=ab274f]“I also [i]do not like[/i] how fixated he is on my sister.”[/color] Now this, this did bother him. He was sure Edin would dismiss it out of hand, but it had to be said.

[color=ab274f]“Besides, he is entirely unknown. His background, his business…I merely advise for him to be [i]comprehensively[/i] screened in the event you are considering hiring him,”[/color] he concluded by voicing support of his mother’s sentiments.

He went to his dinner then, but kept an eye on the servants who were to examine those desserts that had been brought in. When they began, Wulfric subtly turned to watch them. He was curious if they’d find something. If by some chance there happened to be any tampering with the food, that would be most convincing. However, Ezra hadn’t appeared worried at all that his goods would be tested.

So, the baker was perhaps going for some other angle…He would have to be watched.

Too, he waited for his father to eat enough for his mood to be restored. Once Edin put behind his sourness at his pet baker leaving, Wulfric would try to guide the conversation back to Guild matters.