Exaggeration

POV: Serena Laratje

I looked at the plate in front of me with a motionless expression, which I had barely touched.

The food was just hardly seasoned and tasted bland.

Besides, I didn't want to give the Laratje family the satisfaction and myself an embarrassment by eating here carefree.

"Does it not suit your taste, Serena?"

Freya's question was the reason why the clattering of the dishes came to a sudden stop for a moment.

Expressionless, I replied to the older woman's concerned brown.

"Not at all."

Lie.

Unlike Freya and my two half-siblings, I didn't have a cat's tongue.

Serena's father, who had been eating with the rest of the family Laratje for years and adapted his tastes to them accordingly, inevitably adopted their preferences over time as well.

Both Serena and I, on the other hand, prefer quite heavy dishes that have at least been intensely seasoned.

There can never be enough salt in particular, which the rest of the family doesn't seem to tolerate very well, or at least doesn't prefer.

Since the occasions when the entire family is together have also been very few, Serena has never said anything in that direction because of it and dutifully eaten her plate empty. Unlike me.

I had to bring that up to the rest of the people present, whether at the table or the surrounding servants.

They didn't ask me otherwise. It isn't my responsibility to answer this question because they noticed something once.

They could think their part.

They have already been doing that for the last years, decades.

If they even have made the effort at all.

It isn't up to me now to change anything about this situation.

It was only important to me, and it still is, that the Laratje family realize their mistakes.

Realize that it is also way too late to change anything about it.

"Then I am relieved."

I answered the gentle nod with an slight bow, as I had no desire whatsoever to continue the conversation.

I briefly turned my attention out the window with a little sigh, as it was already getting relatively late and the sun was starting to take its leave.

Apparently, the rest of the family was dining quite late. At least it didn't correspond to the same time as me.

I didn't like to eat dinner so late, because otherwise it was all too heavy in my stomach. Of course, none of the people present knew this, however, causing me to be more than just upset about the direct invitation to participate in this family meal from Freya.

Serena had never refused the invitations of her family, so I had to bite the bullet and take part as well.

Although I could have used the previous conversation with Serena's father as an excuse, it would only buy me some time.

I could also get angry behind closed doors at the elder's stubborn and hypocritical acting.

Had to lay the foundation now to be allowed to visit at least a boarding school.

Accordingly, I will also behave as distant and dismissive as possible to the rest of the Laratje family.

I don't care if it might be interpreted as defiance or even a fit. Childish reaction.

My gaze inevitably slid to the seat diagonally in front of me, not a second after that thought.

That was also the case for those present.

"Excuse me.", Emira stuttered, within the short time, a few seconds, a considerable blush spread on her face.

Immediately one of the servants stepped closer to her.

I had seen her several times at my younger half-sister's side.

Apparently it was her personal servant, because I saw her standing close to Emira all the time.

Now, too, she gave the youngest in the group a reassuring smile before picking up the spoon from the floor.

A second person had already placed a clean spoon next to her plate in parallel before they both retreated again.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. It's all right."

"It's just us. Your mother is right."

"It can happen."

Immediately, the surrounding members of the Laratje family calmed Emira down, who immediately answered them with a shaky smile.

To my surprise, however, their big, big eyes were on me in the same breath.

Unimpressed and with a hint of displeasure, I answered her silent question, which immediately caused her to lower her gaze.

Concerned, she bit her lip as well.

"Serena."

It was actually my father who now admonished me, which is why I just gave him a more than disgruntled look.

Immediately, he frowned.

"A mistake like this shouldn't happen to you at your age."

I spoke directly to Emira, who seemed to be trying to make herself even smaller than she already was.

"Don't be so hard on her."

I didn't even look at my father, much less respond to his words.

"You would usually have been severely reprimanded, if you had made such a mistake."

I didn't address my words to any particular person, which is why silence filled the room for a few seconds.

"You exaggerate."

To my renewed surprise, it was Eric who now spoke up.

His voice didn't sound as firm and controlled as our father's, but it was easy to hear that he wasn't in a good mood either.

"I'm exaggerating?", I asked incredulously.

The next moment I had to face a rather grim expression.

"How amusing.", I continued after a few seconds, while actually a narrow however more than fake smile spread on my lips.

"I guess I shouldn't call the scars on my calves like that either. Very likely I'm exaggerating about that, too."

My mocking words caused my half-brother's brow to furrow even more.

For a few seconds he looked me in the eye, but I didn't care what he was trying to tell me non-verbally.

Instead, I turned my attention to the person sitting directly across from me.

"What kind of upbringing did these two have?"

One of the surrounding servants drew in his breath sharply at my blunt and rather daring manner. I couldn't care less.

After all, it wasn't up to any ordinary servant to judge my behavior or even react to it so openly.

It was considered disrespectful, of course. But no reprimand followed.

"I don't remember growing up so half-hearted.", I continued after some time of silence, since my father still owed me an answer.

Impatiently, I tapped my index finger on the tabletop at a continuous pace, however, my counterpart still didn'tt answer me.

My mood sank further, if at all possible.

With a deep sigh, this time evident to all and audible as well, I slowly straightened up from my seat.

"I'm not feeling well and will retire to my room for the time being."

For a few seconds I waited. Nothing.

With that obvious lie, therefore, I indicated a bow before slowly but steadily leaving the room with my back straight, head lifted and slow but even steps.

Directly behind me, I heard soft and steady footsteps that could only be Isabelle's.

In fact, I had barely touched my food and was still hungry.

I also felt the need to wash away the bland taste with proper food, however I just wanted to get ready for the night and possibly read a few pages of my new book.

At breakfast, I might be able to eat a little bit more instead. That would be enough for me.