Embarrassment

Sylvia's POV: 

I bit my lower lip and looked at the steak.I had no clue what to do.

It once again made me feel that I didn't belong with them.I stole a glance at Rufus, who was sitting beside me.

He was cutting the steak and didn't seem to notice my embarrassment.

The royal family followed stringent table etiquettes.I had learned a bit about it before.But I was too young back then.I don't remember any of it now.I had become a slave after my mother died.

Therefore, I never got to attend such occasions.I would have been a happy and elegant lady if my mother was still alive.I would give anything and everything just in exchange of my mother being with me.

Thinking about my mother seemed to depress me even more.

However, now wasn't the time to get immersed in sadness.I tried to ward off the negative emotions and carefully sliced the steak.

Perhaps because I was too nervous and exerted more strength than necessary while cutting, the metal knife scraped against the plate, making a harsh noise.

My face flushed with embarrassment, and I didn't dare to look up.

"Do you need a maid to serve you?" Alina asked considerately.

Her voice was soft and mellow, making it impossible to find fault in her.

Knowing that everyone was staring at me, I buried my head lower.

Laura sneered at me.

"You better call a maid over.Lowly slaves like her are just filthy," she ordered coldly.

Although she muttered the last sentence, it was still audible to everyone.

"No, thanks," I hissed through my teeth.

I endured the embarrassment and picked up the knife and fork to eat.

Just then, the plate in front of me was suddenly taken away.I looked up, my eyes widening in surprise.

Rufus placed his plate of steak he had cut in front of me and exchanged it with my steak.

"Eat." Rufus patted my head.

I looked up and saw the smile on Alina's face vanish right away.Her eyes were full of disbelief.

"Rufus! What are you doing?! How could you cut steak for a lowly she–wolf?" Laura was seething with rage.

"Your Majesty, please calm down." Alina walked up to her and persuaded in a soft voice.

"Laura?" Ethan called, and everyone instantly fell silent.

He took a sip of red wine and looked at her.

"The steak is delicious.Don't you want to try more?"

Although it was a simple statement, one couldn't miss the warning in his voice.It looked like he wanted to let this matter slide without embarrassing Laura.

Laura also sensed Ethan's dissatisfaction, so she didn't continue making a fuss.She nodded and sat down sullenly.

I felt the queen would never forget me after what happened today.I guessed I would have a hard time living in the palace.I stole a glance at Rufus; he was calmly cutting the steak as if nothing had happened.

"Don't bother about it.Just eat," he said calmly as if he had noticed my gaze.

His calmness set my mind at ease.

I picked up a piece of steak that Rufus had cut and slowly ate it.

Rufus was right.

I should stop worrying about things I couldn't control and start eating.I had lived a difficult life.Now that I had escaped the quagmire, it was time to really live for myself.

The steak was delicious.It not only soothed my stomach but also uplifted my mood.