Chapter 65 Chapter 65
Violet
I barely had the time to process that bit of information when the doors opened and Lady Aurelia showed up. And she was wearing a long emerald green gown, her coppery hair a stark contrast to the green. Her lips were painted dark red and a huge emerald the size of my closed fist sat just above her bosom strung together in a line of glittering white diamonds.
Everybody bowed to her and I saw her eyes completely ignore me as she headed straight to Elijah who bowed again as she slipped her hand forward for him to plant a kiss on it.
She didn’t even waste a glance on me but gasped suddenly.
“My dear, why are you covered in scars?”
Lady Aurelia’s voice echoed through the huge hall and for a second every gaze turned to her, maids and servants included.
Elijah shook his head slightly and pulled his hand away.
“I am not”
But Lady Aurelia didn’t let him brush her question away. Instead, she reached forward, grabbed him by the wrist and pushed his sleeves up.
It revealed several thin white scars running all over his arm, disappearing under the crisp fabric of his shirt.
“Did you get in a brawl again, by chance, son?” She asked, raising his arm and tugging the sleeve further down.
Cassie came running over to our side and stared at his arm, just like I did.
There were several scars on his arm and a few deep ones near his wrist. The scabs were still fresh and looked like they might open up again if touched.
“Did you get attacked by a bear in the forest?” Cassie asked in an alarmed voice.
Meanwhile, my gaze stayed glued to his arms and then flitted to his chest. I hadn’t really paid attention before due to my nervousness but now I could see more scars on his chest as well.
Faint ones and a few quite pink.
Lady Aurelia seemed concerned and proceeded to check his other arm that was covered in the same scars and bruises as well.
Had he found rogues in the forest yesterday? That would explain his absence.
Elijah however shrugged their concerns again.
“I told you, it's nothing. Just ran into some thorny bushes yesterday.”
But Lady Aurelia narrowed her eyes, not buying it.
“Those scars don’t look like ones given by thorny bushes.”
Elijah pulled away his arm gently, rolled his sleeves down and said instead.
“I am starving. Can we eat, Lady Aurelia?”
Lady Aurelia wanted to say more but decided against it and sighed when he dismissed the topic entirely. I also noticed how he spoke to her using her formal title, not mom or mother.
Lady Aurelia had just a handful of grey hair and wrinkles around her eyes but she looked remarkably fit for her age. And her eyes looked at Elijah with a lot of hope and concern, none of which he seemed to return.
He was just his usual cold, stoic self to her as well. I wondered not for the first time what must have made him grow distant from his own family.
“Well, if that is what you wish.”
She smiled and placed a hand on both their faces, cupping their cheeks.
“Its nice to see you both after such a long time, children.” She turned her gaze on Elijah.
“Especially you, Elijah.”
Elijah gave her a small smile a rather awkward one but said nothing. I could see some tension between them. Only Lady Aurelia seemed to be making an effort at conversation.
There was no sign of Alpha Deveraux though.
I felt like an intruder, standing beside the trio as Lady Aurelia engaged in a conversation with Cassie who was doing all the talking on elijah’s behalf.
Meanwhile, the servants continued to arrange the plates and fill our glasses with not just water but a lot of different colored fizzy liquids I didn’t know the names of.
“You must be hungry. Alpha Alaric is on his way. He got caught in some last minute meeting as always.”
Lady Aurelia smiled again and began walking towards her chair alongwith Cassie who was talking animatedly to her.
Elijah let out a breath and stepped forward towards his chair as he looked at me as if to ask me to sit as well.
He followed my gaze and saw me staring at the two women in front of me so he cleared his throat.
“Cassie, you forgot to introduce your friend.”
Cassie slapped her forehead and immediately announced.
“Shit, I am so sorry.”
“Mind your language, please dear” LAdy aurelia corrected her gently, still not looking at me.
“Lady Aurelia” Cassie said pointing at me. “This si Violet, my friend I told you about. Remember?”
I finally worked up the courage to smile and say something. “Its a great pleasure to meet…”
However, Lady Aurelia had already looked away and speaking to someone.
“No, the deserts are to be served later, not before dinner even begins. Take them away.”
She reprimanded the maid who hastily bowed and took away the dishes holding the sweet dishes.
For an awkward second, I only stood like a fool before closing my mouth. Cassie gave me an awkward look and I tried to convey to her that I was okay.
Truth be told I was just nervous that I had broken some etiquette and was bewildered trying to figure out what it was.
Seeing the look on Cassie’s face, Lady Aurelia placed a hand on her chest and clarified.
“Oh, I am sorry, if I scared you little one. I just want to ensure the perfect arrangements for today.”
Her gaze flicked to Elijah for a brief second before she added, “I am not sure when I will get an opportunity to dine with all the kids again.”
More of Cassie and Elijah’s siblings were coming? I wasn’t sure I wanted to feel even more awkward of intruding in a personal dining experience.
But that casual line made Elijah narrow his eyes. He seemed to look at her sternly.
“I believe it's just me and Cassie.”
His unexpected line made Lady Aurelia look at him in surprise.
“O-Of course, I just got carried away with emotions, dear” She gave a weak smile but Elijah didn’t seem convinced.
Cassie lowered her voice and asked. “You promised there won't be anybody else.”
Elijah had his gaze pinned on them both and I could see the older woman shaking a bit nervously as if trying to wriggle out of an unpleasant situation.
“The food is going cold” she said at last, avoiding Elijah’s gaze altogether and I felt anger rising inside of him as he stared decidedly at the door to our right.
The servants rushed forward and pulled our chairs behind to allow us to be seated. Lady Aurelia sat first and we followed but Elijah stood where he was.
“This better not be happening”
His fingers curled into fists and I looked from him to the other two women, confused on who did he not want to see.