Conversation over dinner

Was I overreacting earlier? It did get on my nerves how Lavi never told me that he is also a son of a Duke—that he's a descendant like me. I wonder if it was alright to walk out like that.

I let out a sigh as I realized that I never got to know what he came here for.

A knock on the door rang out.

"Young lady, this is Anette. May I come in?"

Without lifting my eyes from the book I have been studying to distract myself, I shouted back to my maid. "Yes, it's alright."

The door opened to reveal Anette, not bringing the usual tray of dinner.

"Your father has invited you to join him for dinner, young lady."

"Oh… I see." I closed the book and stood to face her. "Right now?"

"Yes, young lady. Shall I tell him that you prefer to eat here in your room like always?"

That's right, I have been declining my father's invitations to eat dinner together. After our last meeting, it felt awkward to face him again.

I traced my fingers on the jeweled petals of my golden pendant before replying. "No, I'll be right there."

"Very well, I will announce it to the head butler." Anette bowed.

Before she could turn, I made sure to call out to her.

"Anette, wait."

"Do you need something else, young lady?"

"About last time…" I couldn't fix my gaze at her. "I apologize… for the mess I made."

The personal maid stepped closer to me and held my shoulders.

"It is nothing compared to what my young lady is going through. Even if you do not say it, I know that you are burdened by many things." Anette smiled before continuing. "So please, do not worry about trivial matters anymore."

I did not say anything back, I just hugged her.

***

The long crystalline table was even brighter than it was before. Or is it just me?

"Ah, Calla." The Duke says as soon as I entered the enormous dining hall. "Come, sit."

"Good evening, father." I greeted as I sat across him.

"I have something to tell you. Eat first. You must be hungry from working hard all day. I know that you've been taking your studies very seriously lately."

What's with this kind and cheerful treatment? I just nodded and proceeded to eat.

"How was your meeting at the palace, my daughter?" asked the Duke in between dinner.

"Strange." I answered, trying hard not to fully remember what happened that day.

"And I figure that you did not get anything useful from them?"

I just nod.

The Duke chuckled. "Right, of course you won't." But his face became serious as he proceeded. "I pray that you never get too close to those people."

I lifted my gaze to him. "Why?" I had no plans, of course. I'm just curious.

"Well, for one thing, the Temple had always been delusional. And for the Council, they have been sniffing out every tiny detail that might lead to war with the Ventus people. They blame them for the recent bombings."

"Ventus? The ones who have dark aether as their life force?"

"Yes, those who live in the far North and Northeast—they are Ventus. They had always been around since ancient times. The Royal Academy does not mention them so I will be the one to tell you this."

"What is it?"

Right, even my books did not hold any information about those people so I had a hard time figuring out what dark aether was. But why?

"Dark aether has long been around since the gods still lived, and we have no evidence that they are evil. Just because the name has dark in it does not mean that the people that rely on it are bad. Most of the Flos generally think that the Ventus are impure just because of the image they give out. But Calla, I want you to think differently, alright? Should you meet one in the future, you will have to treat them with kindness and respect."

What if I told him that I'd already met those people and that in no way did they treat me with "kindness and respect"? Wait, what if Lavi came earlier to update me about the Ventus man? If only I could slap myself right here, right now.

Still, I acted like a good daughter and replied. "Yes father, I will remember that."

"Oh, and I have decided to appoint you a personal knight."

Hearing that, I almost dropped my spoon.

"But why?"

"It is better to be safe than sorry, my dear. I've heard that those rebels still haven't stopped their bombings."

Oh, if they aren't Ventus then they're rebels?

"I don't even go out-" Then it struck me. "So… I'm allowed to go outside now?"

The Duke smiled. "Only if you take a personal knight or two with you—no, actually make it three."

"I'll settle with two." Somehow, my heart swelled with brightness. "But why, all of a sudden?"

"It's your birthday next month, is it not? Since I plan to hold a banquet, you should go out tomorrow and buy new shoes, dresses, jewelries—anything you want."

Is that even allowed? The East is still on the process of recovering isn't it? Though, I've heard that the mines the Duke owns are finally booming with business.

"And maybe buy Dianthus' son a gift while you're at it, too."

I choked—literally. I gulped down a glass of water before answering.

"W-why would I?"

"Oh? I thought you were a couple."

Why does everyone think like that?

"We are just friends, father. And nothing more."

"I certainly think he is ambitious." The Duke laughed. "Making moves on my daughter just because the position of his father will surely go to the younger Dianthus."

I flinched. "Sein is not like that."

The Duke just shrugged and proceeded to bite the food from his fork.

My voice came out set, but an unsure feeling is swelling up inside me. No, I would never doubt our friendship.

"Oh, and another thing—the letters from the young lady of the Southwest had been piling up on my office. It seems she is very eager to meet you." The Duke said. "I know that it is still three years until your debut in high society but are you sure you want to keep her waiting for long?"

My shoulders sagged. Oh, that.