Why is he being so harsh? Humans were really strange a wolf would have indulged her even if she was out of line unless it was an alpha, then both would just be killed at the first offence.
"So what? Are you not thinking-"
"Shut up this instant. Do you think that because you have been allowed entry into our family from the age of ten that you are worthy to speak as you like? She will be treated fairly because she has so far done nothing wrong."
The first family's first son Hyemi snapped suddenly, anger clear it seems that he had enough of this girl who still tried to speak even though she had been warned.
Humans really were complex, even if he sounded like he was defending me, it was clear he had also thrown out a warning in my direction, I sighed a while later discreetly.
" Bo-" the girl Su Mei looked at the second family's firstborn son Bo Hui trying to speak again even though she had been warned by the first young master.
My gaze snapped to the male in question who looked like he would lose it but the first mistress' voice was heard suddenly soft, sweet.
"I said to be silent Su Mei, it is disrespectful to speak at the dining table."
"Bo Hui is right, you should know your place, Su Mei. Even though you are engaged to Bo Hui you are nothing more than a guest. The judgement on the benefactor is made by the family."
After the first mistress made her speech effectively forcing the girl to swallow whatever else she wanted to say.
She then made a small gesture and soon a maid that stood behind her left the room. later A line of maids entered carrying two bowls in each hand, balancing them perfectly with straight postures.
I saw the steam smelling the wonderful aromas.
Stepping between the space separating the chairs they placed down each dish.
I knew them by both sight and scent but at the moment each dish was covered.
"This is our favourite dishes, ten in total each having two sets since the entire family will be eating, come take off the top so Gravatrix can have a look,"
The matriarch said with a smile.
If I was lighter skin wise I'd blush having been honour so well.
Once everything was exposed both maids and manservants stood behind a designated person.
The soup was eaten first being spooned into small bowls, each person stated what they wanted to eat while the maid or manservant served.
Soup, which had two choices of a simple chicken bone soup, and a soft tofu soup.
Steam rice or glass noodles, thinly sliced assortment of fish and braised pork ribs, stir-fried spinach, spicy pickled cabbage and finally the pan-fried dumplings.
I had heard of this delicious thing, in fact, it had been my main diet, filled with pork, cabbage, spring onions, and garlic extremely tasty.
"You like the pan-fried dumplings? It was a popular dish from our old world."
I paused, ignoring Hua who placed two pieces of the dumplings in my bowl to look at the first mistress who's face changed suddenly before returning to her food.
"Some eat, eat. Once you attend the school it will be explained in the origin class. Hua."
"Yes, first mistress?"
"Serve her a cup of the barley tea."
Yes, first mistress,"
Dipping her head Hua left.
" Gravatrix, how do you like the third family' s Court?"
" Benefactor,"
The maid sounded from behind the door.
" Mmm.."
I replied as she entered she spoke,
" I have prepared the clothes as per the wish of the second young master of the first family."
it seems he already had my measurements on hand I doubt the first mistress would need to send someone to take my measurements.
"Mmm"
The maid entered with a dress draped over a human-shaped mannequin for a moment the memory of when I first saw this human-shaped dummy surfaced.
I had thought it was a real human who had been dipped in white syder and then clothed for three days I had hidden clutching the side of my head at the horror done to those poor humans until I read and learned otherwise.
Still, I had a slight fear of these things especially the headless ones, they seemed so ghastly.
"Benefactor?"
Swallowing I looked at the dress, amaranth in colour a sort of reddish rose somehow I thought it was a bit too bright against my pecan toned skin but honestly, it didn't matter since the dress had been chosen for me I had no choice.
Other than the colour I liked the button down front high neck bell long sleeves and the length which ended just below my knees flaring from the hip.
It was extremely cute, paired with flat coral ankle cut booties.
"Nothing."
I said suddenly proud of myself because I did not stutter, the maid watched me strangely while I turned to the small suit for the boy.
"The first mistress had this suit specially made."
"oh!"
Looking over to the child sleeping on the bed I decided to let him sleep a bit more while I took my dress and slipped it on uncaring that the maid was there.
"Benefactor... May I ask your name?"
"Gravatrix"
"Do you have a last name?"