As I was about to go down the stairs, I met Sir Leon, the head butler, who to my luck is also on my side. Realizing that he seemed to want to say something to me, I stopped midway and waited for him to reach me. When he did, he bowed respectfully and kissed the back of my gloved hand.
"Your Royal Highness," then his dark-green eyes met my molten gold ones. It had been so long since I last saw him—after my parents' deaths, he went to the Mage's Tower and never returned. I had forgotten how graceful he looked with those eyes, olive skin, and his shoulder-length wavy black hair.
Sir Leon had always been on my side, even when the test of the household turned against me. His quiet loyalty had been one of the few constants in my life, and it's a relief to know that, even now, I can still count on him.
"Did you have a good night of sleep, Princess?" I think I missed the kindness in his voice too.
I greeted him back. "Yes, Sir Leon," it was a lie, of course. But he doesn't need to know that. I don't want to start explaining any of that again. "You seem to want to speak with me about something," he nodded. "What's the matter?"
"Her Ladyship, Viscountess Chelsea Meelany," Sir Thorin's older sister, who's me and my siblings' tutor. Although she despises me just as much as almost everybody and mistreats me too. That bitch used to beat my leg with a thick stick that she carries around.
Sigh, "What does she wants from me this time?" He seemed to hold his laughter at my reaction.
"She asked me," knowing that widow, she probably ordered him around, "to tell you that your next class will have to be on her manor. Her Ladyship explained that she won't be able to come here today!"
Ha… She probably wants to be able to beat me, but she must be afraid of doing so when my dad's around. As if I would let her do that. With a smirk on, I turned to Sir Leon, "Tell her we'll reschedule for another day. My schedule won't change for her convenience. Make her understand that I'm not only the Grand Duke's older daughter but a Duchess, while she's only a Viscountess, a vassal of my dad. That she shall be more conscious about her place and mind her attitude."
Sir Leon chuckled at that, "Sorry, Princess."
I smiled at him, "Don't worry, Sir Leon, we must put people like her in her place. Otherwise, the vassals will run free just because they are part of the Nobility. That would be troublesome and could become a bigger problem for my father in the future. Let us deal with it now. If she insists on it and disrespects you, tell me and I'll deal with her uncalled-for boldness myself."
"If you allow me to say it," I nodded. "I agree with you, Princess. Especially when Viscountess Meelany always acts as if she was more important than you are. Always want to order you around! It's utterly disrespectful!" He's sounding like Kate now.
"Mmhm. Don't tell any of this to my father."
With a confident smile, he agreed. "I wouldn't dare, my Princess," I might have just a few allies, but they are all loyal to me, that's something I'm sure of. "Now, if you excuse me, I have to go send a message to the Viscountess. Sorry, for interrupting your way. Enjoy your breakfast," he bowed again.
"There's no reason to be sorry, Sir Leon. Have a good day," with a nod, he disappeared and I continued to head down.
Before I could see them, I felt their auras near me, and that froze me for a second. It's been so long since I felt this. Since I sensed them like this.
I need to get a hold of myself.
Control your emotions, Natasha. You can't let them notice how shaken you are. And you can't lose your mind when you see neither Dalilah nor Octavian even less your mother.
Take a deep breath.
Again.
They can't know how much has changed. Not yet. My mother's cold smile, Dalilah's smug arrogance, Octavian's vicious disgust—they will all be watching me, waiting for any sign of weakness. I can't give them that satisfaction.
After a second, I straightened my spine and entered the private breakfast room where the five of them were already seated and eating. When my eyes met Valerian's bored face and my dad's excited expression while eating, my heart skipped a beat. And then I notice my mother and Dalilah's pretentious stance and Octavian's arrogant grin on.
I clenched my fists for an instant, but then Val and dad noticed me, followed by the other three. And when Val's navy-blue eyes met mine, his face lighten up and a smile took over his lips. I also notice how the ends of my dad's mouth got up, forming a small smile. "Sis, you came to eat with us!" Val beamed and stood up, helping me with my chair, like a gentleman.
Had I refused to eat with them in the past? I don't remember. Perhaps I had been too scared, too angry. It doesn't matter now. What matters is that I am here, and I won't shy away from them anymore.
"Good morning, Tasha," dad spoke, using the nickname only he called me off. Which is a habit he always had, calling me and my siblings' names without ever saying the first syllable. Only the Goddess know why.
I bowed to him, "Good morning, dad," then I turned to my mother and bowed again, hating myself for it. "Good morning, mother!"
My mother's icy gaze lingered on me for a moment, and I had to swallow the bile rising in my throat. How many times had I bowed to her in my past life, desperate for her approval? How blind had I been to her disdain? Not this time. Never again.
Turning my attention back to him, annoyed and not able to look at her for long. "Did you have a good night of sleep, dad?"
He nodded but I couldn't help but notice the smirk that appeared on his face, "At least someone in here cares about how I sleep," oh. I couldn't help but giggle at how awkward the mood became. "Yes, my daughter, I slept well. I'm still a little bit tired, but thank Goddess I was able to rest."
I sat down on Val's right and looked over the food on the table. Sensing my mouth watery.
Damn, this is heaven.
Then I started to serve a little of everything, turning my plate into a mountain of food, making everyone gasp surprised. But I didn't care, I kept picking more food, and then surrounded my plate with a cup of tea, a cup of water, a cup of orange juice, and a cup of grape juice. Finally, I started eating. Although I was very careful to eat with the grace of a Princess and not like a starving monster. Although I fit in the second option.
When I looked over, everyone was staring at me. Even Val and the servants and Knights at the borders of the room. "Did they starve you for a week, Tasha?" My father asked, his voice filled with shock.
"Ha, if only it had been a week," I mumbled, too softly for anyone to hear. Try a month.
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