Chapter 34

I could feel my stomach churning before the food had even been set. My only relief being that I was not next to him. I sat four chair chairs down his right and thank god for that.

The Ladies at his direct side were Lady Willow and Lady Montgomery. Both of which engaged in very minimal conversation.

Crystal had sat beside me and was breaking out in a cold sweat, while I could barely hold up a glass without it shaking from sheer anger.

It was the fact that he had the galls to sit and eat dinner here as if he hadn't determined my entire life earlier.

Bastard…

I cut my steak with enough animosity for Crystal to tap her pinky on my hand. At least that's why I thought she did it. The reason why she actually did it was discovered when I lifted my head to find that everyone was standing up.

I turned to the prince to see him holding his cup in a toast and quickly stood, teeth gritting at his lack of… consideration. He gave me a smile, one that almost looked warm.

I hated how it made my stomach feel so bubbly.

"I want to congratulate all of you on your efforts thus far. It is truly commendable that you have made it this far" he smiled in a way that didn't suggest we had simply made tea, painted and talked among each other, "I look forward to your future achievements" he raised his cup and we all followed suit in a loud.

"Long live the sun of Grandor".

I didn't join and instead looked at the man who smiled benevolently as if he wasn't a devil in disguise. In the middle of the toast our eyes met. His deep red ones trained on my green ones as he took a gulp of his wine.

I glared back at him. Hating how his hair shines under the chandeliers and how his white shirt exposed more of his chest than necessary.

And then with a sigh I turned away breaking the strange static moment between us as I took a sip of the wine.

I was only too glad to stuff my face with steak. Ignoring how none of the ladies ate more than their first two bites. I couldn't understand how they could resist the medium rare juiciness as I held back a moan.

Good food truly helps in the worst of situations.

Desert was served much too soon and had Crystal not pinched me I would've rejected it all together until I was truly done.

I could hear Lady Willow speaking to Jules, unable to make out their conversation among the loud chatter of voices. No juicy topics anymore. Just plain small talks.

"Lady Willow and the Prince go well together, don't they?" Sarah said to Crystal and I happened to over hear, throwing a glance to them.

She was right.

Next to each other they looked to be in their own league. Well above us simple people with their heart stopping beauty, each wielding a completely different colour palette, but balancing out like a fairytale romance.

Like darkness and light.

"I suppose" Crystal replied.

"I hope they end up together" I glanced at Crystal who shot me a slow smile as if she understood what I meant. I smirked back.

"I think the entire country would be supportive of such a marriage… do you think the prince likes her?"

"Why wouldn't he? She's beautiful" I somehow felt it much easier to swallow my desert, throwing another sneaky glance at the two only to gulp the cake I enjoyed without chewing it.

The prince was glaring. He was glaring profusely at Crystal and Sarah. It was such a short moment that when I blinked he was back to his conversation.

I stopped eating desert completely as I realised something I wish I hadn't.

Had… he heard us?

Somehow I wanted to see how far I could take this. I didn't get a chance to do that when someone tapped the shoulder of lady Hue on my left and swapped seats with her.

Anastasia Archangel looked at me with a devilish grin that had me sweating bullets.

What is she up to now?