Chapter 106 Breakfast (2)
Alessia’s POV
Half way through breakfast , I hear a chair shifting back from the dining table ,wondering who it is I lift my eyes to meet Frederic's calm gaze . My pulse splutters in my chest before starting to beat erratically. He stands proudly holding his unfinished plate of food …
What is he up to now ?
Why is he standing during breakfast
That is so improper and rude
Alex tenses beside me as Luca mumble “Rude asshole under his breath.” Leaning back I fold my arms and watch the show that is about to unfold.He takes quick strides and comes to stand by my left where a high council member Melissa is sitting eating her food quietly. “Excuse Me Melissa” He says as she raises her head “ Do you mind if we switch seats ?”
A gasp escapes me unbidden. This Man is a lunatic ,My eyebrows furrow in distaste as I turn to Enya hoping she would reproach him but instead she has a fleeting smile on her lips and she says nothing returning her attention to her husband who is seated on her right.
Ahh , I think there is some truth to what Alex said then
This is definitely an organised coup
But to gain what ?
Melissa is taken aback but she is a good sport about it and stands up “Sure Frederic,I don’t mind.” Taking her plate she returns to his former seat .The whole thing is over in minutes and just like that Frederic is now seated beside me.
I look at Alex as his eyes grow almost feral narrowing for a moment before Luca mumbles something into his ears that makes him pause and calm down .I did not see this happening today, me being seated between Alex and Frederic ? It feels like being caught between a Roack and a very hard place.
“Alessia” Frederic says cutting my line of thought . As he leans in to me closer than is neccessary I shift back creating some space between us “ I am really happy to see you looking so well today , last night when you didn't show up” he pauses putting a hand on his chest “I was very worried”
Great acting
But I am not falling for it
“I am very fine as you can see” I say cooly “thank you for your concern”
Misplaces concern I wanted to add but then why antagonise them now?When I am tplanning to do some sleuthing? me a hestitant smile “Alessia you still look angry , Anyone in your shoes will be anyway”
His eyes lock on Alex briefly then he looks away mumbling “tut-tut” under his breath
So subtle does not exist in his vocabulary
I hear Luca mumbling again under his breath “Dios Mio a man is trying to get his head blown off here”
I bite my lip to keep me from laughing , turning to Alex I notice his jaw is tightened like he is struggling to hold on to his control.
“Frederic I know you are arr happy me and Alessia are at odds” Alex says suddenly to Frederic as my cheeks suddenly feel a bit too warm.
The entire table goes mute before Frederic recovers and smiles “I am just being a caring friend Alex ,nothing more nothing less”
I don't turn to Alex as my heart starts to beat very fast.
Let it go Alex
But Alex scoffs “Caring friend indeed” his eyes are on Frederic now. “I am sure you will like to be more but that is neither here nor there” Sighing my cheeks are on fire now I look down at my half eaten breakfast wondering how to get them to stop throwing barbs at each other. Turning to Enya I beseech her with my eyes to stop this but she ignores me as she lifts her teacup and watches them Intently.
Frederic laughs “And what If I do ?So what?”
My fingers tighten around the table cloth “That is enough,both of you” I say quietly not wanting to pick a side. They both fix their gaze on me
“I am not some kind of prize that you both can keep competing to win” I continue my voice smooth as silk “And what happened is not something trivial that you can make jest off Frederic”
Frederic raises his hands in his defense as if he is innocent “You are right Princess, My apologies . I only want you to be okay”
“I am okay” I reply him “That is my responsibility not any one else”
I hear a few mumurs round the table but I ignore them . Finally Enya says something “Please we are herr to eat . Not pick fights with guilty men”
I suck in a deep breath that was below the belt even for her!
Alex lets out a deep breath “I am innocent and I will prove it!”
Her cool grey eyes move to Alex “Signore ferrini be careful”
“I am already threading carefully” he replies her cooly “but I won't back down on finding out the truth.”
Enya continues to watch him in silence before nodding her head and picking up her spoon to resume eating. “Not now not ever.” he mumbles under his breath as the vow sends a sliver of apprehension up my spine .
Alex sounds very sure
Has lucy found something already
I look towards Angelica and she gives me a tight nod as if to say we will talk after breakfast.Frederic shifts in his seat turning his attention back to me for a few seconds before whispering “Princess I will like to talk with you after your lesson”
“I am going to be busy all day Frederick” I reply just as soft .Next to me I hear Alex let of another deep breath ,And I turn to Him just in time to catch a flickering of pain on his face before he masks it.
My heart aches for him and the pain I saw there.
But until I have proof I can’t let him back in.
Slowly I return my attention back to my now cold porridge wanting to finish as quickly as possible and have a conversation with the so called seer lucy before I head out for my second Magic lesson with Orzo and Enya.