Beauty and her Beast (Nokto)

~Chapter 3, Part 2~

Sariel: And I hardly expect this to be a concern with a man like Prince Nokto, but... There is also Clause 99 to consider. 

(Wait, Clause 99? What are you talking about?) I was clearly missing something there something that sounded important, but before I could ask, Sariel was speaking again.

Sariel: Now, I'm assuming that you came here to do more than just apologize.

(Yes, actually. I did.)

Veronica: I wanted to make sire that it's still okay for me to dine with the princes. 

Sariel: I have already informed the princes of your intent to dine with them. If you go now, you may even get there in time to enjoy breakfast with Leon's faction. 

(So you're devilishly quick as well. That's one thing to be glad about, at least!)

Veronica: Thanks, Sariel!

I gave him a grateful smile, and hurried out of the room again, determined to put that awful night behind me and start afresh. Sariel watched in silence until Veronica was gone, and then he smirked to himself, returning his gaze to his paperwork. 

Sariel: He may have outfoxed you, but only because he wanted to distract you from the real fox he doesn't want you to see. I wonder, Belle... will you be able to see the truth of who he is? Will you be able to judge him impartially, with your pure heart? 

**at the dining room** 

I hurriedly made my way to the round table room, and pushed open the door, peering inside. (Oh, good, you're all still here!) Leon glanced up then, and as soon as he spotted me, he lifted his hand, gesturing for me to come closer. 

Leon: Come on in, Veronica. No need to hover in the doorway like that. 

Veronica: Good morning. I hope I'm not intruding by joining you for breakfast, but... I really want to be the best Belle I can be. 

Leon: You're not  intruding at all. The more people you eat with, the better the food tastes, right? So you're always welcome. 

Jin: That's right. And nothing makes food more enjoyable than the company of a beautiful woman. 

Yves: If you intend to join us, I assume you know how to conduct yourself properly during mealtimes? 

Veronica: Haha, sure thing. And thanks for being so nice about this, all of you. 

Yves: ...Are you even listening to a single word I said? 

Licht: Yves, stop yelling over breakfast. 

Yves: I would never-! Um-sorry, Licht. 

It was clear that they were all close, and as I joined at the table and began eating, I felt my frustration and anger fading away at last. 

Leon: We're always like this, so things tend to get rowdy when we're together. But we're all fairly laidback. If you want to ask us anything, go ahead and ask. 

Veronica: Thanks, I will. 

Leon's smile was friendly, and I found myself untensing as I smiled back at him. (Although... after what Sariel said, I was expecting everyone in the palace to know about last night already. But from the way you're all acting, it's like it never happened. Does that mean you don't know? Because I'd feel much better that way.)