Chapter 37 Chapter Thirty-seven
Twenty-five minutes later, I was dressed and walking down the now-familiar corridors toward the dining room. The blue dress fit perfectly—because of course it did. I decided to tie my hair up in a messy bun on top of my head with a few curls dangling by the side of my face. I'd even put on the simple silver necklace Miridath had included with the dress. A kind of welcome gift for me. It was a sweet gesture, but I didn't have the heart to tell her I had no intention of remaining here long. But I accepted it either way.
Letting out a shaky breath, I smiled weakly at my reflection.
"Alright, Crystal, let's do this," I muttered to myself one final time before leaving my room.
The dining room doors were already open when I arrived. I could see the long table inside, set with fine china and crystal glasses that caught the candlelight. Platters of food were arranged down the center—roasted meats, vegetables, and fresh bread that made my stomach growl, despite my mood.
I stepped through the doorway.
And stopped.
The room was empty, but the table was set, the food was there, and the candles were lit. But there was no Aquila and there was no Asher with his mask and his awkward formality.
It was just me in here.
I stood there for a long moment, staring at the carefully arranged table, and noticed only one plate had been set and it was for me. My brows drew together in confusion as I turned around, hoping to find Aquila or even Asher strutting in behind me, but there was no one.
Something cold settled in my stomach.
I moved further into the room, my footsteps echoing on the stone floor, and sank into the chair with a sigh that felt like it came from somewhere deep in my soul.
So this was how it was going to be.
He'd told me to get ready for dinner. Even implied that maybe after our argument we could sit down and talk like adults and figure this... arrangement.
But no.
I stared at the food in front of me—beautifully prepared, still steaming slightly, more than I could possibly eat by myself. Or could I?
"Crystal." Miridath's voice came from behind me and I spun around to see her holding a small bowl of mixed fruits in her hands. She had the same expression I did. Confusion.
"Ah, Miridath. I--where are the others?" I asked.
"I'm sorry, dear. Aquila isn't back yet. Asher has buried himself in work. I'm afraid you'll have to eat dinner alone tonight." She gave me a weak smile.
"I see. Well, I guess that's fine." I replied, but I don't think my tone was convincing enough to hide the disappointment I felt. But maybe this was a good thing.
I shouldn't get too used to their presence. I was only here temporarily.
I kept reminding myself.
For the umpteenth time today, I let out a sigh.
"I would have joined you, to keep you company, but I need to hurry home for the night."
"It's fine, Miridath, I don't mind eating by myself. "
She offered me one last smile before turning around with the small bowl of fruit salad and leaving the room and once again, I was left by myself.
I lowered myself into the seat and picked up my fork, staring at the plate Miridath had so carefully arranged, and wondered if this was what the rest of my time here would look like.
Beautiful rooms. Exquisite food. Perfect dresses.
And absolutely no one to share any of it with.
I stabbed at a piece of roasted meat, watching it slide across the plate. The fork felt heavy in my hand. Or maybe I just felt heavy. Weighed down by disappointment I had no right to feel.
What did I expect? Would that Asher magically forget I'd upset him and show up with apologies and explanations?
Yes, that's exactly what I thought would happen, but reality proved different.
Or that maybe Aquila would burst through the doors with that ridiculous grin and make everything feel less awkward?
"Stupid," I muttered to myself, finally putting the meat in my mouth.
It was delicious. Perfectly seasoned, tender, cooked exactly right. I took another one.
The dining room felt cavernous around me. The high ceilings. The ornate chandelier cast a warm light over a table meant for a dozen people. The empty chairs stretched down both sides like silent witnesses to my solitude.
I took another bite. Then another because Miridath had made this and I wasn't going to let it go to waste just because I was in a mood.
The silence pressed in from all sides. No conversation. No clinking of other utensils. No Aquila's teasing or Asher's careful responses or even the comfortable quiet we'd shared in the garden before everything blew up in my face.
Just me and the echo of my own idle thoughts.
I set my fork down with a soft clink against the china.
This was ridiculous.
I'd eaten alone plenty of times before. In my tiny apartment in Covenant City, I hunched over case files with takeout containers scattered across my desk. In courthouse cafeterias between hearings. In my office during late nights when everyone else had gone home.
Being alone wasn't new.
So why did it feel so much worse here?