Cold Dinner

"I must say that your fiance is quite a hero."

I gave my 'compliment' to my sister that's grinning from ear to ear. My tone was clearly sarcastic even me the one who told her that noticed, but it seemed that her being lovestruck affected her ears.

"Of course he is!"

Her perfectly arc eyebrows were raised and there was hint of pride in her eyes. Is he your son? Why are you so proud of him?

"So do you have a date or something? To celebrate his feat?"

I asked it so that I could know if there is something I should be worried about, but then I noticed her brows twitched and the smile on her lips faded a little. I could feel a cold wind caress my skin and my fingers which held a spoon of hot soup could feel the chill of steel.

"He said...he said he had to review for the coming first term."

Yeah, that's a lie. From what I know that shit's test scores is just barely staying afloat at above average with signs of sinking, if that liar is studying then he could go higher, or maybe he's just that stupid? Well I don't care, but my guess is he turned down her invitation because of the pressure and the effects of what he 'heroically' did.

"That's a bummer then."

No it's not! I'm even happy as I would not have to hire Mr. Cuckolder this early in this month.

"Speaking of studies, what about you? Aren't you going to do a review too?"

I suddenly asked to easen the silence that was enveloping the dinner table.

"...Mhm."

From her disinterested looks she truly had no motivation at all. I know she'll score high anyway but seeing her quick change from high spirits to all time low after just a question made me worried about her, so I'll give her something to strive for.

"Hey Lea aren't you interested in being the top scorer again once more?"

"It's hard..."

"I know that's why everyone will be impressed by you. Imagine your fiancee being the most intelligent girl and also the most beautiful one, probably, in the campus won't that shi—I mean guy will turn more possessive and in look out for others who are charmed by your charms? Maybe he'll even go out with you and the two of you will have a romantic date to ward off any advances from others."

The lusterless forest turned greener and greener after every word escaped from my mouth, in the end it was now a vibrant rainforest under the warmth of the morning sun.

By the time the test is finished the controversy between that fly and that crap will cool down, before he could take a breather I'll send Ron then cuckold them again! What a brilliant plan!

"For someone like you that's a good idea!"

I had a urge to start a forest fire all of a sudden, but I held it in when I saw her back somewhere in the medium to high spirits.

"I'll do it! I'll make Alfred obsessed with me."

Uh...should I tell her the truth that she's the obsessed one? Her crazy smile made me shudder, maybe I motivated her too strongly? I somewhat could see Ron having a nagging ache in his head in the future.

Well, all's well ends well! I don't know if I used the quote right but my sister is happy and so do I.

I thought that our dinner will end in a good note, but it seemed that fate pressed the wrong key at the end as a sudden beep coming from outside immidiately frozed the hall.

...

Inside the dining hall that was filled with lights yet still feels a bit dim, a long table was situated in the center. And this table that was covered with a neat white cloth only the sides are supposedly being used by the siblings.

As for the head, rarely do ever a person seats there while the space next to it will be forever unoccupied.

However tonight seemed to be that rare day.

"How's your school?"

A cold voice coming from a middle-aged man who has a expressionless good looking face. His ice blue eyes contained no emotions and anyone who'll take chances of looking deeper into his soul will freeze.

He briefly glance at the two who suddenly turned stiff and strange before seemingly losing his interest as his eyes darted back on his plate.

His question was left in the air without any answer, an unnatural silence hung around the room until it was broken by Aster.

"It's good."

His words broken the chains and seals as Azalea push back his chair away from the table its screeched made the two pause their meal.

"Sit down and finished your food."

Warned the man, however she pay it no heed and was about to make her exit when he raised her head to look straight into her.

"I would not want myself to repeat it again, Azalea."

They had an intense—subzero staring contest which surprisingly triumph by the man, now she had her but back in her seat and even though she is indignant by him that her face was scrunched up, she still gave a reply for his previous inquiry.

"It is worse."

"I see...then should I transfer you out?"

Azalea's face turned like a certain surprise meme as she realized that she shot her own foot. Meanwhile Aster was trying hard not to involved himself by sucking his lips in, cause he realized that there's possibility she'll vent her frustration to this poor brother if she somehow saw even her lips twitching.

"No, of course not!"

"Then why did you complain?"

The two ice elemental creatures is making it hard for the one being left at their weird conversation to suppress the building laugh at all.

"I-It is just a joke you old man!"

"I see."

Thankfully he was able to survive as another round of hush resound the place even the clanking of spoon, fork, and plates was put into the lowest tune. However it seemed the man was not satisfied with that so he spread the sound once more using another question.

"Anything you need?"

It was supposed to be a phrase that are added with a concern, especially if it is the parent who used it towards their children. However in this case even a bit of emotions is missing, his words only feel empty and it could irk someone, like now.

"Nothing! I finished my food, so can I go now!?"

Her mood is so bad that she did not even asked for another plate of food, a dessert, and a cold drink, but she did not rush out immidiately instead she 'politely' asked for the man's permission.

"...Mhm, you may go."

"Hmph!"

She stormed out the room as fast as her deliberately wide steps could make and slammed the door closed once she's outside.

As the loud sound echoes until nothing the temperature inside lowered by notch after the ice princess left. Now only the two guys are left making the place less...awkward.

"How about you, Aster."

"I am fine, but maybe an increase in my allowance just a bit?"

"No. Be more responsible, like your sister."

"Yeah yeah."

Strangely enough the duo was having conversation less grueling to see than between Lea and the man. The man stopped his hands and gazed at Aster.

"Do...Is Lea enjoying school?"

"I don't know, maybe?" he shrugged but stopped and decided to elaborate when he saw him narrow his eyes, "Uh...yeah she is, for most of the time."

"Her fiance then-Alfred and her are they in good terms?"

"Ask her not me. I am sure she'll say yes."

Aster wiped his lips with white cloth before standing, but before he could reach for the door he was stopped by the man.

"What about you, what is your answer?"

"Of course. No."

The door opened and closed for the second time in just a small span of two to three minutes. The dinner ended early and the whole mansion was plunged in deep silence.

Now the well lighted room bask in much dimmer radiance than before, below was a man sitting at the head of the table. His unthawed eyes wandered around the unoccupied seats and stopped at the one on his side, the one where a reach of his and he could held the sitter's hand.

"They grew up fast, Delia."