Chapter 20: An Unsettling Dinner

Bellum prayed for the food to give us all nutrients and oddly enough for the food to bring us great prosperity. Prosperity as in wealth and success.

It was an odd prayer for me considering that usually you would pray for just nutrients and maybe for the less fortunate.

Atleast that is what Rene taught me, I guess it's different for others? I didn't understand the want from wealth in food though, that was unique.

Bellum looked to me and smiled with an unsettling smile asking, "Is there anything you want to pray for? Or are you good, Lady.Victoria?"

I tilted my head a bit, my brown eyes looking down unassured. "Um, no I don't think so, you said about everything so no." Bellum's brows raised, "Are you sure? Your eyes say something else? Are you perhaps thinking of someone? Something?"

My expression was neutral along with my appetite. I usually love eating lobster at any time but now, it feels like my hunger is slowly fading away.

Sir Bertram looked at his sister in irritation and said, "Sister please don't pressure Lady.Victoria. It seems you are making her extremely uncomfortable and I wouldn't want that to be the last thing she feels, at this table."

Bellum rolled her eyes and put a smile on her face, while turning toward me.

She cut up her steak and took a bite of it. Once she finished she shrugged saying, "What I didn't know I was making her uncomfortable. I mean after all if I really was she would have said something right?"

She continued eating her steak while her brother, started to hold the table tightly. "Well maybe but also maybe she is trying to be polite and maintain hospitable manner."

He turned toward me and I smiled awkwardly, looking off into the distance, "E.excuse me, I need some fresh air and I don't seem to be quite hungry anymore. It seems my appetite left. Let's continue this another time, yeah?"

I scooted the chair back and curtsy before I walked away. I could hear Sir Bertram calling me, but eventually he stopped.

My head swirled and I wanted to leave this "Gathering" so bad, I wasn't in the mood to be questioned or asked about. I knew I shouldn't have-!

I bumped into Charles and it seems he was laughing with some French ambassador. When he turned and saw me, he excused himself and looked at me with a worried look.

Could he tell it in my face? Did he know what I was thinking?

I looked up into his eyes, for he was a bit taller than me and I smiled. "Is it that obvious?" He blushed and looked away for a bit with a awkward chuckle, "Well I-Y. vous avez pris au dépourvu(you caught me off guard)."

"Hm? I what? I'm sorry Charles what did you say?" I asked as he became even more red, "Quoi? Quoi(What what)? I-um sorry I forgot I was speaking French for a second um Conas tá tú(How are you)?"

My face went into something of puzzle and I looked down for a bit highly confused, "Charles are you okay?"

"I-Um do you want to the balcony?"

I looked up to him and my face lit up, "Yes."