Nectar took a deep breath as she smoothed out her dress. It was nothing elaborate, just a simple slim fitting white dress and fur boots [ I can do this. I've survived them once, I'll do it again ]
Her hair was in a simple bun and she suddenly brightened as she waved at Mario and June who were being led to a different room, " I want to be a kid again Liam. No stress, just fun ".
Liam chuckled, squeezing her nose " Don't worry, you still act like a child ". Nectar laughed, taking in one last breath as she stepped into the room [ Goddess Wastrum, keep trouble far from me tonight ]
The room itself was warm and it seemed happy and cherry, Nectar had a slight smirked [ If only it were real ] She didn't have to think long as Reli appeared in front of her, " You finally came! You're always late and leaving me all by myself ".
Nectar laughed, patting her head " Sorry Reli, It's a forced habit ". Liam tried to leave her side but Nectar didn't let go and simply glared at him. Nectar walked closer to the long table covered in a gold sheet and the polished brown chairs around it.
But that wasn't what caught her attention, it was the food sprawled on the table from bread to pie to rice and then the fish and chicken [ I think I can stay for a while ] She didn't even realize that Liam had left her side till someone popped up over her shoulder.
" You truly are an odd ball, try not drown us in your drool ". Nectar frowned and subconsciously touched the corner of her mouth which was dry and looked up at Kancor, " No I wasn't ". Kancor laughed lightly and shook his head, " But from the looks of it, you were about to ".
Nectar rolled her eyes, " I find this table more interesting than you ". Kancor laughed lightly, hand on chest " The empress finds the food more interesting than me. I'm hurt ". Nectar sighed, " You're a drama queen ".
They were already being led to their seats, " What do you mean queen "? Nectar waved it off with a smile, " We'll finish that discussion later ". Nectar flexed her fingers as she was taken to her seat, trying to calm down.
The chief priest sat at the head of the table and they sat clockwise according to their respective nations. Lishflour sat closest, then Sepafi , Verflog, Nisrag and Actso. [ Talk about stuck between a rock and a hard place ]
They said a short prayer and blessed their meal. Nectar prayed to anyone that was listening to see her through this in one piece. She had Eros on her right and Liam on her left while she faced Nova.
" Let us eat ", They firstly passed the bread around and the warm smell was enough to calm her down. Nectar took small bites of the bread before leaving a quarter of it aside, [ Forgive me for wasting food ]
Nectar ate her meal quietly, replaying memories from her first life [ The alliance between Lishflour and Actso will be broken for some reason. Something's supposed to happen to Eros during the winter dinner and Luscious should be dead before then ]
She glanced his way, all smiles and shook her head [ Maybe he doesn't have to die. Fighting with him is as fun as with Liam ] " Did something catch your eye sister "? Nectar didn't hear any of it as she tried hard to remember when exactly he died.
" How has the Lishflourian Empire been treating you darling "? Nectar put the spoon of pudding in her mouth [ Who even has the best motif to kill a goof ball like him? ] " You should at least play nice Qudi ". Nectar instantly snapped out of it, pointing her spoon at Famo " How many times must I remind you not to call me that, we're not that close ".
Famo frowned, in a stare down with her [ What's gotten into the brat? ] Kira leaned over the table, scolding Nectar " That's no way to talk to your father, apologize now ". Nectar's expression turned cold " Empress Dowager shouldn't interfere in my matters ".
Kira didn't know why but she felt a bone chilling cold come over her despite being a Blazer. Nectar lazily dipped the spoon in her pudding and resumed eating [ I have to stay away from these horid people and still find out who really killed me in my first life ]
She felt a light tap on her shoulder and snapped out of it. Eros smiled slightly, " You really were distracted ". Nectar wanted to cringe, better still change seats but nodded all the same, " Sorry, I've got a lot on my mind. You were saying ".
Nova cleared her throat, obviously proud of whatever she was about to say, " We were finally able to stop the monsters at our borders. Since I was able to come up with the winning strategy, father rewarded me. Isn't that nice "?
Nectar blinked a few times, processing what she just heard and glanced at Famo [ I can't believe I was obsessed with his affection ] and smiled " Congratulations on your victory. You deserve whatever reward King Famo has bestowed upon you ".
Nova was surprised [ What's wrong with her? Isn't she always begging for his attention? ] " Thank you sister ". Resna smiled slightly, " Nectar, you shouldn't be calling your father so formally ".
Nectar sighed [ When will this end? ] " I shall call him whatever I want and besides, he's my father only in name ". Famo flared, his spoon falling on the plate " Shut your filthy mouth ". Nectar laughed and took another spoon of her pudding, " No need to be upset. Tell me, did I misquote your very words "?