It was dinner time and while Aylin was still reeling from the dream she had which felt so real – too real, Rhea was sitting on one of the couches in the parlor, waiting for The Duke to show up. Correction; they were all waiting.
Rhea stood up and strode to Gustavo who stood at one side of the room, where he had been reminding them of the food that was ready to be served for almost thirty minutes. Aylin watched and sighed as Rhea stepped in front of The Butler repeating the same words for the fifth time, "Hasn't he arrived yet?" she asked with a slight frown.
And the butler replied with the same words for the fifth goddamn time. "Don't worry Lady Rhea, I'm sure His Grace will show up for dinner," His smiley face contrasted with Rhea's gloomy one.
Talk about a broken record, Aylin thought as she slipped a strawberry into her mouth.
She was starving and these strawberries won't be enough to pacify her hunger. She simply hoped that the duke would come soon or that Rhea would stop making them wait.
Turning her attention back to Rhea who huffed after listening to Gustavo's words "You've been saying the same thing, Gustavo, it's starting to sound annoying." she hissed before throwing herself back on the sofa.
After some time, Andromeda who had finally had enough stood up, and turned to face Rhea, "I suggest you stop waiting and have your dinner, or else you will wait for the whole night." She told Rhea before walking to the dining room.
"I think she's right Rhea," Aylin let out and Rhea bobbed her head, a small smile on her lips.
"I know, let's go." She said as they both stood up and walked to the dining room.
They entered the room and took their respective seats while the servants started serving.
The maids finished serving and moved back, almost merging themselves with the wall, while the three women started to eat.
And not less than a few minutes since they started eating, the sound of footsteps rang through the room and a tall figure with silver hair emerged from the door.
"Your Grace!" All the servants chorused while Gustavo stood surprised and hastily bowed "Your Grace," he greeted before helping the Duke draw his chair out and motioning for a servant to serve the Duke his food.
"You came," Rhea said with a broad smile after the duke sat down, the excitement back in her eyes.
"Yes, because there's something I want to announce." He declared, getting all of their attention.
"I simply hope it's something good because I want to eat in peace," Andromeda said as she continued eating while Aylin glanced at both Rhea and the duke wondering what he wanted to announce.
Rhea leaned forward and asked, "And what is that?"
The duke held his wine glass which contained a red liquid that was filled to the brim, he brought it to his lips and took a sip. "The Queen invited us to lunch in the castle," He paused and stared at Rhea, a sly grin on his lips. "To celebrate your return, Rhea."
But the response Aylin expected wasn't the one Rhea gave, because her response was a laugh, a loud one.
"The queen? Invited us for lunch? To celebrate my return?" She said between laughs. "It's... It's just so funny, I mean, who among them is happy about my return? Is it The Queen? The king? The Crown Prince or the Princess?" She asked as she wiped off imaginary tears from her eyes.
"You don't like it? I thought you would since you love getting attention," The duke said, flashing her an innocent smile.
Rhea snorted as she cut the steak on her plate and placed it in her mouth, "I would like it if the lunch was really held to celebrate my return."
"So did you accept the invitation?" Andromeda asked.
"Naturally, I did. You know I couldn't say no to the Queen, " He said this while still smiling.
"Of course, you couldn't," Rhea sneered, knowing full well that he could have refused and the Queen would have had no recourse.
"I'm sure you know what that woman wants to do; the lunch won't be about me in the slightest, it will simply be another opportunity to demonstrate how caring she is to her subjects, how great a Queen she is, and how annoying she is." she added, rolling her eyes.
"I don't think that should be a problem for you, Rhea, and I'm sure you're also good at that, right?" He said casually as he glanced at her while Rhea's expression went from frowning to smirking.
"Of course, Brother. I'm very good at it." Her smirk turned into a full-blown smile and her blue eyes glinted with mischief.
Aylin watched the whole exchange and couldn't help but notice how the siblings knew each other so well, despite years of not living together. And while Rhea resembled an excited child plotting something evil, The Duke was like a parent teaching their kid how to do something, only instead of a simple lesson of manners he was instructing them how to play with fire and Rhea loved the taste of danger.
"Then it's settled, we will be going to the palace the day after tomorrow–"
"Wait! What about Aylin, can she come?" Rhea asked and Aylin's head shot up at once.
Why would she go with them?
The Duke turned to Aylin for the first time since he left the Jewelry store. With a smile on his face, he said, "Sure, The Queen didn't mention who should and who shouldn't come so of course, she will be going with us to the Palace."
What? But–
"Great! I can't wait!" Rhea squealed excitedly.
Andromeda shook her head, "Just don't do anything–"
"–Stupid, yeah, I know." Rhea finished Andromeda's words.
"Wait, but isn't this supposed to be like... a family thing?" Aylin hurriedly said when she finally found her voice.
"Well, Just like Kian said... The Queen didn't explicitly state that a family friend can't join so you're coming, Aylin!" Rhea said excitedly before leaning forward, a mischievous smile on her lips, "And trust me, It's going to be fun." She whispered with a wink and Aylin nodded, giving Rhea a tight-lipped smile.
Rhea was certainly planning something.
"Yeah..." She said weakly.
If everything at the market earlier today was Rhea's type of fun, then Aylin didn't want to go.