Ethan Smith paused for a moment, then said, "I think this feels a bit like the fox guarding the henhouse."
"The fox guarding the henhouse?" The Prince looked visibly startled by Ethan's words.
He glanced around, ensuring no one was near, before continuing, "Why do you think that?"
Ethan didn't bother with small talk and immediately laid out his thoughts to the Prince.
After listening, the Prince let out a deep sigh.
"Mr. Smith, let's discuss this somewhere else," the Prince said, rising from his seat.
Understanding the Prince's concern, Ethan did not object. He nodded and stood up as well.
The group made their way to a secluded room in the Palace, where the Prince locked the door behind them, dismissing even the two attendants ordinarily responsible for his safety.
"Mr. Smith, to be honest, I share the same thoughts as you," the Prince said with a faint sigh.
Ethan wasn't greatly surprised. He replied calmly, "The only thing I can't figure out is why they'd do this."