A wicked Feast, pt 2.

After another deep bow, Charles stepped back and guided the group into the estate.

As Alexander stepped inside he was greeted with the familiar grandeur of Béatrice's estate. 

The polished marble flooring, the large windows lined against the walls, and the sprawling chandeliers that hung from the ceiling.

This place hasn't changed a bit, though I don't see why it would…

The deeper Charles led the group into the building, the stronger the scent of the impending feast grew. 

Its fragrance became almost tangible.

When the group finally arrived in an expansive dining room, they were greeted with a long polished table coated with dishes, wines, and roasted meats that shined under the warm lights of the overhead chandelier. 

But alongside the vast array of dishes, a woman sat back at the head of the table with a wine bottle in hand and grease covering her lips. 

"Yo!" The woman exclaimed with a grin, "There's the birthday boy!" She said with a laugh, before taking another swing of her wine and standing up.

As she stood up, Alexander was able to distinguish her almost immediately. 

Donna?

"I should have known you'd do this," Charlotte said with a sigh as she massaged her temples. Her expression was of evident disappointment.

Donna chuckled as she stretched her arms into the air. "Ahh come on Char, don't be like that." She teased, before turning to look at Alexander, her eyes hidden behind a cloth.

Alexander forced a smile as he waved at her, unsure of what to say or do.

As for everyone else, Béatrice looked indifferent, Louise disgusted, Ben amused and Antoinette annoyed.

It's not like anyone could stop her, she could kill us all if she wanted…

Still despite that fact, it was Elizabeth who spoke up. "Donna, that's not nice!" She exclaimed angrily, "You were supposed to wait!"

Donna chuckled as she gave a halfhearted salute. "My apologies your majesty, *Hick* I won't… I won't do it again."

Donna was absolutely hammered.

Elizabeth frowned as she turned to Alexander, "I'm sorry Alexander, I told Mother to leave her at home, honest."

Though whatever atmosphere of elegance was lost the moment Donna popped up, Alexander wasn't particularly concerned.

He knew from his last experience with her that she was a free spirit, and that's something Alexander could respect, even relate to in a certain sense.

"It's fine." Alexander replied with a smile, "If Donna's happy, I'm happy."

Elizabeth had a look of surprise, her eyes growing wide as her jaw dropped.

"A man after my own heart!" Donna exclaimed as she plopped back down in her seat, laughing happily, "If you were any older I'd give you more than a cheer." She said while raising a wine bottle. 

Charlotte groaned as she approached a seat near the head of the table. "Goddess be with us." She muttered. 

As the Queen moved, the dining room came to life quickly. Maids began swarming the room, standing against the walls with unreadable expressions. Chairs began shuffling as everyone found their seats.

Speaking of which, Alexander found himself sitting beside Elizabeth, who sat beside her mother. 

At the head of the table was Donna, and across from Charlotte was Béatrice who sat beside Louise. 

Meanwhile Ben and Antoinette stood at the door silently, arms behind their backs as they waited. 

As Charlotte got settled in her seat, she gestured for the meal to begin with a wave of her hand. "Let us not delay this well-deserved celebration for Alexander's return." Her voice rang with authority and a slight hint of irritation.

Donna was the first to dig into her dish, followed by a hesitant Alexander and an excited Elizabeth. 

As dinner wore on, plates were passed while maids took empty dishes and filled empty wine glasses, all while conversation filled the air. Elizabeth happily buzzed about life in the palace, her friends, and the gifts her father shared. 

The queen, with her keen eye, watched them curiously, listening in on her daughter's ramblings.

Béatrice and Louise would exchange words as well, but at infrequent intervals, and was often nothing more than simple requests such as pass this or that. 

Donna would chime in on the conversation as well but often had nothing of importance to say. 

As the dinner came to a close, the awkwardly tense atmosphere from before had completely dissipated and all that remained was a calm silence.

"Goddess, I'm stuffed." Donna groaned as she gripped the edges of the table to maintain her balance.

Charlotte looked at Donna with a frown, "my strongest asset, defeated by a cooked bird." 

"That was fun!" Elizabeth said happily as she faced Alexander, "Don't you think?"

Alexander chuckled as he nodded, "Yeah, I loved talking with you, even if you took all my sweets." He teased.

Elizabeth had stolen every sweet roll he put on his plate, without even touching her own.

Elizabeth blushed as she averted her gaze. "Heh.."

Charlotte chuckled at her daughter's antics as she clasped her hands together. "Well, I'm happy we've been able to properly celebrate your return Alexander, but I'm afraid it's time we depart."

Elizabeth hurriedly turned to her mother, "Already?" She asked in disbelief, "but we… I didn't even, can I stay?" She could barely finish a sentence, her small brain processing a million thoughts a minute.

Charlotte gave her daughter a small, patient smile. "Elizabeth, you know that's not possible, it's late and I have duties to attend to." Despite her maternal tone, her voice was firm. 

Elizabeth's expression fell as she let out a long sigh. "But–"

"No buts," Charlotte said with a finger, "you'll see Alexander again soon enough, he's not going anywhere, right?" Charlotte's tone had a sharp edge to it as she glared at Béatrice, a knowing look in her eyes.

Béatrice, for the first time since Alexander arrived, smirked. It was subtle, but it was there. "Of course not," Béatrice replied.

Alexander could feel the tension rising between the two women. 

He now had a faint suspicion the Queen knew more about Béatrice's involvement with his disappearance. 

Maybe she knows Béatrice attended to run that stupid test on me… but if she knows that doesn't that mean she–

Before Alexander could finish his thought, Elizabeth pulled his attention. "Alexander," she called to him, her voice soft. "Please remember your promise, okay? I want to see you soon, but I can't if you're sick."

Alexander's expression softened as he rubbed the back of Elizabeth's hand with his thumb. "I'll remember." He said reassuringly, "I promise."

Elizabeth's cheeks flushed as she pulled her hand away, a hopeful smile playing on her lips. "Thank you, Alex." She said before climbing down from her chair.

"You're welcome." He replied, watching as Charlotte gracefully rose from her seat to join Elizabeth. 

"Come along Donna," the Queen said while gesturing a hand towards her. 

Donna slowly rose from her seat with a stumble and chuckle. "Coming Char." She replied, following behind her with a slow stride.

Alexander watched as Charlotte and the others exited the dining hall, and noticed Elizabeth looking over her shoulder at him. Her bright pink eyes filled with a longing desire. 

As she and the others rounded the corner, Béatrice looked towards Ben and Antoinette. "Ensure Her Majesty makes it to her destination safely," she ordered, her tone icy.

Antoinette readily saluted with a hand to her chest while Ben looked hesitant. His gaze shifted from Béatrice to Alexander.

"Something wrong, sergeant?" Béatrice asked, narrowing her eyes as she stared Ben down.

Ben looked at her, his expression uncertain. "No, my lady." He said with a salute, before following Antoinette out of the room. 

As the two of them departed, the dining room grew noticeably quiet. The dishes were gone and the table empty, with only Béatrice, Louise, and Alexander sitting at it.

Alexander found himself exchanging a long gaze with Béatrice. There was a lot he wanted to say at that moment, including cursing Béatrice for abandoning him on the demon continent. 

But he knew the moment he got hostile his life was as good as forfeit.

"You've done well." Béatrice began, her tone cold as usual, but laced with a tinge of respect. "I didn't expect you to survive a fate such as that, and to be as calm as you are now, truly impressive."

Alexander frowned as he narrowed his eyes. "Why did you do that?" He asked, skipping past the small talk and flattering, "What did I do to you?" His question had an edge to it, his anger seeping through. 

Béatrice shrugged as she let out a sigh, "I understand your frustrations, but I don't intend to hash this out with you now, not at this hour."

Alexander's jaw clenched but he stayed composed, if just barely. 

You got some nerve Béatrice…

Béatrice studied Alexander with a cold scrutinizing gaze, her expression unreadable. "I suggest you take some time to rest as tomorrow we return to work." Her words were final as she rose from her seat in one fluid motion. 

She moved towards the exit, her steps slow and deliberate as her shoes clicked against the marble floor.

Alexander watched her leave, frustration burning in his eyes as he tightened his fist.