CHAPTER 88

CHAPTER 88
"Very well," Alpha Cassian says at last, his tone returning to its usual calm authority. "Now that it's settled, can I have my breakfast?"

The moment the order leaves his mouth, the headservant claps her hands sharply. "Move!" she barks. "Set the table immediately!"

Around me, the kitchen bursts back to life. Servants scatter in every direction, hurrying to carry silverware, pitchers of milk, baskets of warm bread fresh from the ovens, platters of eggs, and steaming dishes toward the dining hall.

Slowly, I push myself back to my feet. I dust the dirt from my skirt, forcing my hands not to shake. Now I have to pretend nothing happened, pretend I wasn't just forced to kneel before that insufferable woman while everyone watched. As if humiliation is simply another part of my morning routine.

Dara quietly approaches me and places a stack of porcelain plates into my arms. For a brief moment, our eyes meet. Sympathy fills hers and I simply nod. Carefully balancing the plates, I carry them into the dining hall and begin setting the long oak table that stretches almost the entire length of the room.

I focus on the rhythm, hoping the simple task will silence the storm inside my head. Unfortunately, it doesn’t. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Erin strolling into the dining hall. She adjusts her braid as though it's a royal crown before sweeping her gaze around the room.

When her eyes find me, satisfaction flickers across her face. I immediately look away because  I don't have the strength to deal with her again.

I continue arranging the silverware with careful precision as if she is not around. As I stare at the polished fork in my hand, one completely inappropriate thought slips into my mind. I wonder...how much trouble I would get into if I accidentally stabbed Erin with it. The image is so absurd that I almost laugh but then the triplets stroll inside the breakfast room. Instinctively, I step aside to avoid crossing paths with them. I'm almost out of the way when one familiar voice stops me.

"Join us, Vivienne," Nico says.

I furrow my brows and stare at Nico, wondering if I mishear him. He simply smiles back at me, looking far too pleased with himself.

"What are you doing?" he asks. "Take a seat and join us for breakfast."

"I still have work to do, Beta," I reply as calmly as I can. I am about to step away when another voice joins the conversation.

"Sit beside me, Vivienne," Jaxon says as he settles into his chair.

A maid immediately steps forward and pours him a cup of steaming black coffee. Seriously? There is no way I am sitting down to eat with them today!

Then, from the corner of my eye, I catch Erin's expression.I don't even have to look directly at her to know she's furious. I can practically feel her glare drilling into the side of my head. The way her jaw tightens tells me she's only seconds away from shattering that carefully crafted composure of hers.

Well...that changes things. "I... really shouldn't," I murmur, pretending to hesitate. "But I haven’t had my breakfast yet.” 

"Sounds like the perfect reason to sit," Nico replies with a grin.

Before I can protest, he walks over to me. He stops only inches away, and the clean scent of his cologne wraps around me. Without waiting for permission, he gently guides me toward the table, pulls out a chair between his and Jaxon's, and gestures for me to sit.

I reluctantly lower myself into the seat. Just like that, I'm trapped between the two brothers. Across the table...Erin stares directly at me.

"Beta Nico..." I begin.

"Just eat, Vivienne," Jaxon says quietly.

I bite my lower lip before giving a small nod. Almost instinctively, my eyes drift toward the head of the table. Cassian is already seated there while another maid pours fresh coffee into his cup. His expression remains unreadable, but his jaw is locked so tightly that I can see the muscle ticking beneath his skin.

Is he watching me?

Good.

When I glance across the table and see Erin barely holding herself together, I feel like I can eat a lot. At that moment, she also glances at me and our eyes meet.  I simply smile at her. 

"Isn't she supposed to eat in the servants' wing, Cassian?" Erin asks loudly, her sharp voice slicing through the dining hall.

Before Cassian can answer, Nico speaks first. "I invited her." His tone is calm, but there is enough steel beneath it to make Erin's fingers tighten around her fork.

I pick up my spoon with exaggerated elegance and scoop up a generous bite of creamy scrambled eggs. Slowly, I bring it to my lips, savoring every bite as though it's the greatest breakfast I've ever tasted.

I don't even need to look at Erin.   Her glare feels hotter than the coffee sitting in front of me. Still, curiosity gets the better of me, so I glance up again. Just as I suspect, her lips are pressed into such a thin line that they almost disappear. She looks one heartbeat away from flipping the entire table. What a beautiful sight, indeed. 

"Don't you have duties to attend to?" Erin asks again.

"I'm sure the headservant will let me know when it's time," I reply with practiced innocence. "Until then, I've been graciously invited to breakfast."

"You're not one of us."

Her words are meant to wound but who cares? 

"Then why are you so threatened by me, Erin?"

Jaxon leans back in his chair, clearly amused. "Feisty this morning, aren't you, Vivienne?"

"She's always feisty," Nico adds.