Ch. 33: Snow White IX

I am currently having a spa day. More specifically, I'm in this bathtub with scented oils in the hot water, roses floating, and maids scrubbing my either body. I can't say I wasn't embarrassed because I am. A twenty-first century girl suddenly gets thrown in the bathroom, and multiple hands suddenly force me out of my clothes into the bath.

"Would you like a glass of champagne?" One maid asks.

"No." I curtly reply. I slap my face to get back to my senses.

I do not have the time to relax and be pampered. This is a dungeon, and I can get killed if I don't finish. It's literally the first story of five. I need to find Jung-woo and get out of here fast!

They rinse me off and take me to a room full of dresses. How can someone dedicate a whole room with dresses, jewelry, and shoes?! Well, I guess the Queen can.

Again, multiple hands put dresses against my naked self. Once they found a red, sophisticated dress, they found matching jewelry and shoes to go with it.

By the time we finished. I didn't even know that noon had passed. The butler from earlier, who had introduced himself as George, leads me to the dining room. I had my hands cuffed.

"We are here." He says, "You may take a sit on the right side of the Queen. Your companions are inside already."

"Oh, okay..." Did he just say companions? With an S?

"I-" He opened the doors and pushed me inside. The doors closed behind me. I look towards the large dining hall and find the empress and four very familiar and alarming 'companions' of mine.

However, I started sprinting full speed as soon as I saw Jung-woo sitting at the end of the table next to the Frenchman from the Evening Banquet Event, Vincent.

"Jung-woo!" I pull him up, only to find him still attached to the chair he sat. I pull on the silver chains that were wrapped around his small torso, too tightly. I look over Mister Dark and Sexy, Hyun-cho, and Vincent, who were also chained to their seats. However, Mad was the only unchained guest in the room besides me.

"What is this!" I look straight to the old queen who was smiling at me with those kind yet conniving eyes.

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you too." She smiles, "How about you take your seat first, and we can start dinner. I'm awfully hungry. "

Two maids take both my sides, with arms raised, they point me towards my designated seat adjacent next to the Queen and Mad to my other side. I make my way, not taking my eyes off her as I take my seat. Once everyone, me, has settled, the doors  behind the Queen swings open.

Carts full of white platter and silver covers roll into the dining area. There were six carts for each person. The Queen was served first, Mad and I, and the other three. A man in a chef's outfit, a bloody butcher knife in hand, as well as a bloody apron while approaching the table. His grumpy mean expression faces the Queen.

"Your Highness. Today's menu is as follows: First is your favorite tomato basil soup followed by beef stew with side vegetables and sour dough bread. We will also be serving red wine, water, tea, or juice if you and our guests prefer. As for dessert, I'd like to keep it a surprise." He wipes his bloody knife clean on his apron. Gross.

"Thank you Grub. Give me my usual." She says before waving a hand to us.

"Water." Mad instantly replies.

"Same."

"I'll have that too."

"Me too."

The other three quickly followed. The Queen and the chef look at me expectantly.

"That's fine too." I scoff.

The chef, along with the servants who had placed our food in front of us, disappeared behind the door. Once again, silence hung in  air. When the Queen began to eat and take a bite of her plate as well as Mad. When nothing happens with the two, did everyone else eat. Even Hyun-cho is taking a spoonful of tomato basil soup.

Taking a bite of the beef stew, my mouth exploded with flavor. The rich and chewy texture of the beef and sauce is amazing. The side vegetables compliment the beef, and the tomato basil is sweet. I had almost completely forgotten what I should be doing, but Mad slightly kicks my foot.

"Ahem." I cough into the napkin they provided. I stare at the Queen who is smiling.

"I appreciate the meal, but I don't think you brought us in just for that." I push the food away from me... not because it was bad, but because it was very distracting.

"Hmm... I don't know what you mean." She says as she takes a bite of her potatoes, "I'm just wanted to treat my son to a meal."

Everyone in the room visibly froze. Son? Everyone except the Queen and Mad were the old two people who are residents of this story. I turned to look at the giant man who was probably the only one eating at this point.

"You're not talking about Mad are you?" I inquire. The Queen laughs and nods her head.

"Did he not tell you? Ha. He must have not. Always the rebellious child, but yes. If you're referring to Maddock, who is sitting next to you... then yes."

I blink a couple of times, making sure that I was hearing it right. How did I not see the signs. First of, Sir Kalheim seemed to know Mad- I mean Maddock for a brief second... then there was the fact that he didn't seem uncomfortable entering the castle. The biggest fact is that besides me, he wasn't chained down in his seat. The staff served his food after the Queen, and he didn't even care what she had to say.

"Mad-Maddock... I start.

"Just call me like you used to. I hate that name." He burrow his eyebrows and frowns. At least his still the same grumpy guy I know.

[7TH DEMON PRINCE, BAAL ASKS IF YOU REALLY KNOW HIM AND IF ALL YOU'VE SEEN IS A FRONT.]

My eyes widen in surprise, but I quickly hide my expression. Not only is a demon doubting my decisions, but I also find it relieving to hear from him.

"Yes, Maddock is the youngest of all my children. But he had left the castle a few years back. I'm so happy and grateful that you have brought my son to me, Miss Marianne. This is why I wanted to have a nice dinner with you." She picks up the emtpy glass. A servant rushes in and pours the dark purple-red color of wine. She lazily swirls it around.

"You must be joking. Even if Mad, is your son. Why did you bring those three here." I point a thumb at them.

Hyun-cho had stopped eating to stare at my face. The Frenchman waves his fingers at me and winks, while Jung-woo is busy eating his fill of the beef stew.

The Queen takes a look at them.

"Oh! Right. I heard you were looking for a young boy. That's him at the end right? Well he was traveling with these two. I'm not sure if they kidnapped him or not. So I had them chained." She explains.

"But why is he also chained?" I glare at her. If I could, I would grab this knife and stick it in her neck.

"Ahh... incase it's the wrong boy." She sips on the wine. I take a look at Jung-woo and see him finish eating and listening in our conversation.

"I would like to finish dinner and leave with the boy..." I look at Hyun-cho and Vincent who hasn't said a word.

"The other two you can keep. I don't personally know them." It's true. I don't know them well enough to bring with me. If anything, I think Mister Dark and Sexy dragged him into it. Being the regressor he is, I'm sure he has a plan. I mean, his glaring at me right now.

"Hmmm... I guess that's fine. But why don't you stay for dessert?" She takes a glass and hits it with a knife. The loud noise brings the chef back with his aid. They roll in carts, quickly remove our plates, and replace them with a palm side of fresh baked apple pie.

For some reason, my warning bells are ringing in my head. If I remember correctly? I have been told that there is one fruit Snow White hates... and it's apples.