"I am not going in" Alice said feeling finally the pressure. Even though she was dressed up, finally feeling comfortable in her own skin she still couldn't fathom the idea of dinning with royals and kings. It was ridiculous that she would fit it a place like that and the last thing she wanted was to make a fool of herself.
"Why? I am sure that not even the half of the people that are supposed to be inside will be here. Come oon I am hungry!" Nacht said, stomping his feet and looking at her with his puppy eyes.
"Fine, just don't leave me alone please" She said and stared at the closed door. It was a very bright white color, closed shut and she couldn't help but notice how her hand trembled as she tried to push it open.
"We will be sitting at a table how exactly will I leave you?" he whispered as they entered the dining room and Alice elbowed him. He let out an exasperated gasp and force a smile as they made their first appearance.
Nacht was right. The table had been set for eight people, shiny plates in front of every seat, crystal wine glasses and soft towels with golden spoons and forks but only three people were seated. She recognized the king who stared at Nacht with a dissatisfied expression. He was sitting at the top of the table his glass filled with red wine.
"Well hello!" One of the other too people said cheerfully. It was a boy around fifteen years old with blond hair and brown eyes, freckles splattered everywhere on his face. Next to him was sitting a girl of similar age with the exact same characteristics. They were teens, Alice concluded as she looked at them more carefully. "So this is your partner Nacht?" the boy asked and stood up, as if he wanted to take a closer look at Alice.
"Sit down David. Now. We are eating" The King said strictly and the boy return in a hurry to his seat with a sigh.
"Okay, okay." He mumbled dissatisfied and played with his spoon as Alice tried to find a seat. She waited for Nacht to sit and she followed him, sitting right next to him. Surprisingly the red head had decided to sit right next to the king even if Julius seemed to be angry at him. "I mean where is the need to be so formal? Everyone else ditched." He said and pointed at the empty seats.
"Because we are not brutes. That's why. Anyways this is Alice. She will be Nacht's partner. He will train her. She is still new so be nice to her and help her if she needs it." He said and clapped his hand once, two maids with trays entering and bringing the steamy food. It was roasted turkey, mushed potatoes, stuffed grape leaves and so many other delicious foods. Alice wanted to dig in right away but her nervousness allowed her to only eat one or two bites, afraid about her manners. She didn't want to be disrespectful so she just moved the least she could, ate slowly and carefully, she even breathed with consideration.
"Hi! I am David. I am a Defender and this is my sister. Erica. She is a Supporter" he explained and Alice smiled at the girl who hadn't spoken once up until now. She shyly smiled back and nibbled on her bread. Letting her brother do all the talking. David seemed optimistic and very talkative, during their lunch he kept eating and then talking taking short breaks to breathe but no one seemed to want to stop him. It was a good thing, Alice thought since he removed all the awkward air.
"So…Alice please tell us about yourself. Where have you been? Where did you come from? How did you meet Nacht?" David suddenly kept bombarding her with questions as she took a huge bite from a turkey leg. She looked at Nacht feeling a lump form in her throat, ruining even more he appetite.
"David please shut up. You keep talking. Haven't you seen that the girl hasn't eaten anything? You make her nervous." Julius cut in coming to her rescue. David looking really offended from the king's words crossed his arms over his chest and scowled.
"I am sure you are the one who is making her nervous, with that strict expression of yours" he commented and Julius let loudly his glass on the table, wine spilling onto the white tableware.
"What's wrong with my expression?" he asked him, his nose wrinkled.
"Well buy a mirror and you will see" The boy mocked him and Alice chuckled, unable to restrain herself. They indeed looked to be on each other's back all the time. Nacht smiled at her, squeezing her hand and put more food on her plate.
"Eat, it's oaky" he said kindly and she nodded taking her first actual bite. It was delicious, the rich taste watering her mouth as she chewed. She was so happy she felt like she could cry. Things were going pretty smoothly, they talked and Alice tried to converse a bit exchanging a few words with them about their travel. Her mood had become a little better and she believed that this would finally an uneventful meal when the door was busted open, a beautiful woman standing at the doorframe with an enraged expression.
"Is it true you brought a whore into the palace!?" she screamed and her eyes landed on Alice.
Uneventful, yeah right.
"Well that was faster than I expected." Nacht mumbled and he gave her an awkward smile.