A Family Dinner

King Donovan had requested that they eat dinner near as a sudo family. Apparently he missed his wife and home and somehow thought a meal with Astraea and her family would make his time in Focaveh less lonely. Astraea had wanted to refuse but unfortunately Morgan had reminded her of the times where her requests as a Queen weren't really requests. Astraea had sighed and then dragged Morgan to the kitchen with her to help plan the menu for the dinner.

They had decided on a simple four course meal. Morgan had requested steak so Astraea had the cook make a plan to compliment Morgan's favorite seasoned steak. The menu had been presented to Astraea the morning of the dinner and she barely glanced at it before approving it. This meant that as Astraea was getting dressed for the dinner, she only knew what one course was. She hoped dessert would be good as she was looking forward to the signal that the meal was over already.

Leah laid her dinner dress on the bed and Astraea sighed when she saw it.

Morgan, who was already dressed and reclined on one of Astraea's chairs, looked up when she heard the sigh, "What's wrong now?"

"I know we have to go to this dinner but I still wish we weren't going." Astraea shed her day dress and pulled on the dinner dress.

Morgan stood and waved Leah away to tighten the dress for Astraea. "It's too late now. Are you and Drystann going to be ok or is this dinner going to be horribly awkward for everyone else."

Astraea sighed again. With the war and Vallsia's constant push to invade on her mind, she had scarcely had a moment to think about her other mission. "We should be fine. There seems to be a standing truce right now."

It would be nearly impossible to fight a war and also be worried about him killing her although Astraea wasn't sure it was worth pushing against the bet. She was getting tired of always being stressed around him.

Astraea pondered for a second before amending her statement, "I will be fine. I don't know how he will react. This would be the perfect time for him to strike with my being distracted and not focused on him or our parents' promise. "

The two sisters walked downstairs to the dinning hall together. The Tornheard's had not arrived yet so Astraea fixed herself a drink from the cart in the corner of the room. The first course was on the table and covered but subtly emitted the pleasant aroma of perfectly blended spices and greenery. The Cook had outdone herself tonight and Astraea was excited to try everything.

Morgan walked over to stand next to the chair to the right of her sister, "In case he does attack, are you prepared?"

Astraea nodded even though she knew she had left her weapons upstairs. She didn't want Morgan to worry, especially since Morgan or any other guard was not allowed to interfere if Drystann decided to attack.

King Donovan and Drystann finally walked in dressed in matching black formal attire. King Donovan was smiling while Drystann's face resembled something closer to that of a pouty child.

"Welcome!" Astraea gestured to the beautifully set table. "Please sit down and let's eat."

"Thank you for the kind invitation to dinner." King Donovan sat at the head opposite Astraea.

"I am glad you could join us." Astraea gestured and a couple of maids approached the table to clear the covers of the first course.

A green salad with seasoned pieces of meat decorated the plates. Drystann dug in without a second thought and the rest also began to eat but more slowly.

"So, Queen Astraea, my son tells me you've become an excellent strategist in the face of this war." King Donovan started the conversation up as he lifted his glass of wine.

Astraea looked up and made direct eye contact with Drystann. "He honors me, King Donovan, but the credit really goes to my sister, Princess Morgan."

Morgan gave her sister side eyes before focusing again on the food.

"Ah yes. Princess Morgan, the warrior princess and commander of the Focaveh armies if I am not mistaken. What a very powerful and well rounded family you have, Queen Astraea."

"Thank you, King Donovan. The same can be said of yours. Have you heard from Queen Rose?" Astraea spoke to King Donovan but her eyes remained locked with Drystann's.

"We have exchanged letters with my mother but only sparsely. Whatever route our birds are taking, they cannot make it in a timely matter."

Astraea frowned, "I am sorry to hear that. Please feel free to use our birds or messengers while you are here. Perhaps, they will be able to find your castle in better time."

Drystann nodded to acknowledge her olive branch extension but neither of them broke eye contact as he took another bite of his salad.

The meal consisted of this, eye contact and barely progressing conversation, until Drystann abruptly stood up.

He slammed his hands on the table and looked Astraea dead in the eye, "Enough of this. Let us have a proper fight. If one of us wins within the time limit, so be it. If not then we can agree to a truce that way we can both focus on the war and not worry about also guarding ourselves instead of watching each other's backs. Is this agreeable to you?"

"Have you lost your mind, Drystann? That is not an honorable way to finish this promise." King Donovan finished his third glass of wine and missed the table when he tried to set it down. It clattered to the floor and was swiftly picked up by a maid.

Astraea cut through the tension building between father and son by saying, "These are different circumstances. There was no war when the promise was made. I agree to these terms. How long should we fight for?"

"Is the time of a single waltz acceptable?"

Astraea nodded.

"Very well then. One hour after this meal is concluded we shall have our fight."

He focuses on the food in front of him while King Donovan sputtered. Astraea focused on the empty plate in front of him and was grateful when the empty plate was cleared away and a delicious steak replaced it.