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Chapter 19: Dinner with the King
The sun had just set, casting a soft, golden glow over the palace as Alice, Ryan, and Aria made their way toward the dining room. Alice's heart pounded in her chest, knowing this dinner would be different. King Leon, her father, was going to be there. His presence always brought an air of seriousness to any gathering, and Alice couldn't help but feel nervous.
As they walked, Ryan noticed Alice slowing her steps. He glanced at her and offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. You'll be fine," he said gently.
Aria, who was walking beside Alice, chimed in, "Yeah, you've got this! And we'll be right there with you."
Alice nodded, though her hands were still clammy with nerves. She appreciated their support, but the thought of sitting across from her father made her stomach twist with anxiety.
The grand doors to the dining hall opened, revealing the lavish room inside. A massive chandelier hung above the long table, casting a warm light on the polished silverware and crystal glasses. At the head of the table sat King Leon, his sharp gaze resting on them as they entered. His presence was commanding as always, and Alice felt a familiar tightness in her chest.
Queen Clarice sat beside him, her smile much softer, offering warmth that helped ease some of Alice's nerves. On the other side of the table, her brothers, Lucas and Eric, were already seated, quietly chatting with each other. Alena, Ryan and Aria's mother, stood near the queen, engaged in light conversation.
"Come, sit down," Queen Clarice greeted them warmly. "We've been waiting for you."
Ryan, Aria, and Alice walked to the table and took their seats near Queen Clarice. Ryan sat between his sister and Alice, offering Alice a calm presence. Alena smiled as she sat next to the queen, her eyes bright with pride.
King Leon's gaze shifted to Alice, and although his expression was neutral, the weight of his presence made her heart race. "I hear there have been some developments today," he said, his voice deep and commanding.
Alice's pulse quickened, wondering if he knew about her mana sensing. She and Ryan had agreed to keep it a secret for now, and her stomach twisted at the thought of her father finding out too soon.
Ryan spoke up, his voice calm and steady. "Yes, Your Majesty," he said politely. "Alice, Aria, and I spent the day training together. We had a good time."
King Leon raised an eyebrow but didn't push for more details. "Good," he replied, his tone firm. "I'm pleased to hear that."
Dinner began, and the clinking of silverware filled the room as servants placed beautifully arranged dishes in front of them. The food looked incredible—perfectly roasted meats, fresh vegetables, and delicate pastries—but Alice found it hard to focus on eating. She kept stealing glances at her father, who ate quietly, his expression unreadable.
Across the table, Lucas and Eric continued their quiet conversation, the two of them sharing stories about their latest training sessions. The tension in the room seemed to lessen as they spoke, and Alice allowed herself to relax a little.
Queen Clarice turned to Alice with a soft smile. "How are you feeling, Alice?" she asked kindly. "You seem more at ease today."
Alice hesitated, not wanting to mention her mana sensing just yet. She glanced at Ryan, who gave her a small nod, encouraging her to speak. "I'm feeling better," Alice said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Ryan and Aria have been helping me."
Clarice's smile widened, her eyes warm with affection. "That's wonderful, dear. It's good to have people around you who support you."
Alice felt a rush of warmth at her mother's words. She glanced over at Ryan and Aria, who smiled back at her, and for a moment, she felt more at ease. She wasn't used to having this kind of support, but it was nice—comforting, even. For the first time in a long time, she didn't feel like she was facing everything alone.
As the meal went on, the mood lightened, and the conversation became more relaxed. Lucas and Eric shared some light-hearted stories about their training mishaps, and the atmosphere in the room grew warmer. Even Alice found herself smiling at their antics.
But as the laughter began to die down, King Leon turned his attention back to Alice, his sharp gaze softening just a little. "Alice," he said, his voice no longer as firm, "I'm glad to see you improving."
Alice blinked in surprise. Her father rarely spoke to her directly like this, and his words caught her off guard. She looked down at her plate, unsure of how to respond.
King Leon's tone was serious, but there was a trace of encouragement in his voice. "You have always had strength within you," he said. "Even when you doubt yourself, I see it. I expect you to keep pushing forward, just as you've been doing."
Alice swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. She felt the weight of his expectations pressing down on her, but at the same time, there was something comforting about his words. Her father believed in her, even if she didn't always believe in herself. She nodded quietly, her voice soft. "Yes, Father."
Queen Clarice reached out and gently placed her hand on Alice's arm. "You've made great progress, Alice," she said kindly. "We're proud of you, no matter how long it takes."
The warmth in her mother's voice eased some of the tension in Alice's chest. She nodded again, feeling a mixture of relief and gratitude. Her parents' support meant more to her than she had realized, even if her father's expectations sometimes felt like a heavy burden.
As dessert was served—small, delicate fruit tarts and cakes—the mood around the table lightened once more. The tension that had filled the room at the start of the evening seemed to have disappeared, replaced by laughter and light conversation.
Aria, always full of energy, leaned over and whispered to Alice, "See? This wasn't so bad, was it?"
Alice smiled, feeling lighter than she had in days. "No, it wasn't," she agreed, her voice soft but steady.
Ryan, sitting beside them, gave Alice a small smile. His presence had been a constant source of comfort for her, and she felt grateful to have him by her side. "You did well," he said quietly, his voice full of quiet pride.
Alice's heart swelled at his words. For the first time in a long time, she didn't feel like she was falling behind. With Ryan and Aria beside her, she felt like she was moving forward—slowly, but surely.
As the evening drew to a close, King Leon stood from his seat, signaling that the meal had ended. "It's been a pleasant evening," he said, his deep voice filling the room. "I look forward to seeing the progress you all make in the coming days."
Everyone rose from their seats as the king and queen left the room, their regal figures disappearing through the grand doors. Once they were gone, the remaining group relaxed, the formal atmosphere melting away completely.
Aria stretched her arms and grinned at Alice. "Well, that went better than I expected!" she said with a laugh.
Alice smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "Yeah, it really did."
Ryan, stood beside Alice, his hands resting lightly at his sides. "You handled it perfectly," he said, his voice low but full of warmth.
Alice glanced at him, her heart feeling lighter than it had in days. With her friends by her side and her family's support, she finally felt like she was on the right path.
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