A Bitter Conversation

When they went to the other room just behind the hall, Verus had summoned a long black and white marble table. The brothers were in the middle of two parties who were on the opposite side. They were all under the impression of enjoying the meal, but they were stealing glances at one another, measuring their potential enemies.

"Not what I expected, but it'll do," Marcus said. "Before we rip each other's throats out, tell me, brother, what do you have to say to even prepare such a gastronomic affair? I can hardly imagine that you're going to throw another speech again. I will definitely stab you if you try to perform such theatric again."

Verus shook his head and held the neck of the stemware.

“I assure you, brother,” Verus said after he had a drink, groaning over the sweet-malt liquor. “I won’t put up an act.”

Marcus used his cutlery to slice through the steak. He then took a bite and looked at Verus at once.