18 XVII. Of course it's okay

Seated in the room were her mother, who was all smiles and ran her hand through her husband's hair slowly. Her father on the other hand did not look quite happy but had a nervous expression on his face.

"Nä-ræl," he said, laughing nervously. "You are here."

Nä-ræl fought the urge not to say "What does it look like?" as she rolled her eyes.

On the opposite end of the table sat Ærtle with his father, The Duke of Ɓɍunïa and his mother,the Duchess. She fought hard not to glare at all of them including Ærtle who walked forward and took her hand before leaving a kiss so sloppy that it left a visible trail of saliva on the back of her hand.

"Pleasure seeing you this snowy afternoon."

Nä-ræl gave a sickly sweet smile but in her mind she was angry. She wiped the back of her hand on her dress when no one was looking. She looked between her parents and that of Ærtle confused. She and Ærtle were going out tomorrow so why were they here in the afternoon.