Chapter 69 Chapter 69
Violet
The room went still.
Nicole’s smile faltered for just a fraction of a second before she recovered. Cassie stared at me like she was torn between pride and concern. Lady Aurelia hesitated, clearly weighing appearances against comfort.
“I wouldn’t want to inconvenience anyone,” I continued, lifting my chin slightly. “Dinner was prepared, and everyone has already gathered. I can manage.”
“Are you sure my dear?” Lady Aurelia asked and I smiled. “Positive.”
I could do this. That’s what I kept telling myself as I smiled at everyone.
“That is so nice of you. I really hope you are feeling better though” Nicole looked at me.
“I am” I forced the words out and she rejoiced, clapping her hands like a little girl.
“Awesome. I am starving, let’s eat shall we?”
She looked around at everyone brightly who slowly started moving towards their respective chairs again.
However, Elijah just stood there, unmoving.
I noticed that and she saw me looking at him.
“Oh, aren’t you joining?” she asked loudly enough for the alpha and his partner to turn around.
I could see Elijah exhale slowly, and walk towards the dinner table.
Cassie came closer to me and whispered. “Are you alright? You look a bit pale.”
I would tell her everything later. Or maybe I would not.
I wasn’t sure.
For now, I just wanted to leave this goddamn place and never set foot in it again.
But when I returned to my seat, I noticed the nameplates had been ruffled.
Nicole’s name was beside me and Elijah was sitting beside Cassie.
It wasn’t bad enough that I had to share dinner with the two people I didn’t want to be around but then one positioned herself directly beside me.
I saw the chair next to Cassie vacant and decided to sit there but Nicole placed a hand on my shoulder and asked.
“What’s the matter dear? Are you still feeling ill?”
I wanted to shake off her hand so bad but instead I smiled politely and shook my head. “No”
“Then where are you going? Come sit with me.”
I gave her a half-hearted nod and sat down as she chuckled. “I must apologize for my earlier behavior. I mistook you for a maid. How silly of me!”
She daintily slapped her forehead, earning chuckles from both the alpha and his partner.
“Not her fault. She just wanted to follow the-” Cassie began to defend me but then Lady Aurelia loudly cleared her throat.
“Enough chitchat. If we have to speak, let it be about the food and how you like it.”
She clapped and servants brought out reheated food, setting down a huge assortment of plates one after another, each dish more elaborate than the last.
There were cuts of meat glazed in dark, glossy sauces, vegetables shaped and layered so carefully they looked sculpted rather than cooked. Some dishes were garnished with flowers I wasn’t sure were meant to be eaten at all.
It was as beautiful as it was intimidating.
And it made my stomach turn.
I folded my hands in my lap and kept my posture straight, even as my appetite vanished completely.
When I finally lifted my eyes, I realized Elijah was seated directly across from me.
He hadn’t chosen the seat. I could tell by the way his shoulders were stiff, his body angled as if he would have preferred anywhere else. His gaze flicked to me once, and I glared at him.
His jaw tightened and his eyes dropped to his plate.
Nicole, meanwhile, looked delighted.
“This is exquisite,” she said, lifting her fork to examine a portion of food as though it were a work of art. “I’ve never seen this prepared quite like this before.”
Lady Aurelia’s face lit up instantly. “Oh, I’m so glad you noticed. I heard of it through a private chef in Marseille, quite by accident, really. It took weeks to source the ingredients properly. The herbs alone had to be imported fresh, and I insisted the cook practice the preparation until it was perfect.”
She went on, detailing the effort, the rarity, the refinement of each choice, and everyone listened with polite admiration. Alpha Alaric nodded along, clearly pleased. Cassie smiled supportively, though she glanced at me once, concern flickering across her face when she noticed my untouched plate.
I kept my gaze down.
Halfway through Lady Aurelia’s explanation, Nate leaned slightly toward me, his voice carrying just enough concern to draw attention.
“You haven’t touched your food,” he said. “Perhaps something lighter would be better. A soup, maybe?”
My fingers tightened around my napkin.
“I’m fine,” I said evenly, forcing myself to reach for the glass beside my plate. I took a slow sip of juice, letting the cold ground me. “Just not very hungry.”
Before he could press further, my gaze lifted and collided with Alpha Alaric’s.
He was already looking at me, his expression curious, and openly assessing. When he smiled, it wasn’t unkind.
“Cassie wouldn’t stop talking about you,” he said. “She told me how brave you were. How you saved her life from the rogues. I’m very grateful.”
The table went quiet.
Heat crept up my neck. “It wasn’t…” I stopped myself and tried again. “I just did what anyone would have done.”
He chuckled softly. “Not everyone would have.”
I nodded, unsure what else to say, and let the conversation move on.
However, Nate’s attention shifted fully to me then, his interest sharpening. “Rogue attack? Oh my, what exactly happened?”
I answered without looking at him. “It was chaotic. I don’t remember much of it clearly.”
“Oh, you must,” he said gently, leaning in as though we were sharing a secret. “Moments like that leave an impression.”
“They do,” I agreed, keeping my tone light. “Which is why I prefer not to relive them during dinner.”
His smile widened, undeterred. “Of course. But you handled it so well. You must be very close to Cassie.”
He looked at Cassie who gave him an awkward smile.
“Enough,” Elijah said suddenly.
The word cut cleanly through the air.
Every head turned toward him.
“She’s clearly uncomfortable,” he added, his voice controlled but hard. “There’s no need to interrogate her.”
Nicole decided to finally jump in, surprised, then laughed softly. “Interrogate? Nate was only curious. It's not everyday that someone randomly gets invited to the Ironcrest Manor.”
Nate tilted his head, studying Elijah now. “How exactly do you know Violet by the way?”
My pulse spiked.
Elijah didn’t hesitate. “Why are you so interested in her?”
Nate coughed lightly and looked at Nicole, sharing a conspiratory look.
“I am just getting acquainted with the extended family. After all, Nicole’s people are my people, right?”
Elijah cleared his throat. “You should focus on Nicole first instead of chatting up with the only new girl on the table. How would Nicole feel to be ignored for a guest?”