The Labyrinth *editing*

Chapter 20

I was escorted down to supper by the same young slave girl, who I found was named Apassionata.  She looked about my age, and thought she mumbled her name, she said nothing else about herself. I was led down into the dining hall, where the long table was laden with so much food, it made my eyes bug out. At the head of the table at one end sat King Minos, and at the other end sat Ariadne, looking beautiful by the candlelight. I was seated right next to the princess, much to my contempt. On her other side, Theseus was seated, so that he was right across the table from me. He looked down at his plate, so I kicked him under the table. He looked up and I caught his eye. He gave me a watery smile. I noticed that the princess was watching us very closely, which should have made me nervous, but instead, I felt more driven to not look so depressed. Ariadne started to serve herself, and so did Minos, so I thought it was okay to get food too. I reached for a bowl but Ariadne said harshly to me,

     “Put it down! We royals get served first!” I did not put it down right away, but fixed her with a glowering look. She fixed me with one right back. Finally I put it down, but to show her my spirit was not broken, I slammed it down as hard as I could. She looked a bit rattled, but she looked away carelessly. I opened my mouth to say something, but Theseus’ hand shot across the table and clamped it over my mouth before I could call her and her father pigs. Ariadne paused in filling her plate with potato, to study Theseus. Then she blushed when he caught her looking at him so intensely. A slave noted her hesitation in filling her plate.

     “M’lady?” She rushed forward. “Is there something wrong with the food?” she asked, alarmed. She stared at the attendant like she had never seen a person before.

     “What? Oh, er, no, the um…food is fine, I um, just…” Her hand tilted dangerously with the bowl in it. I thought the bowl was just about to go plop on the floor, but the moment it left her hand and sailed to the ground, Theseus caught it, eyes wide in alarm. He set it back on the table gently, and Ariadne just stared and blushed.

     “Oh my goodness! I didn’t even notice the bowl was…” she stopped, looked confused then gave a giggle. “How clumsy of me! Thank you so much! How can I ever say enough?” she said, looking perfectly amazing as always. I thought it was major overkill on thanks, when it was such a small favor. Theseus looked confused now as well.

     “Um, you’re welcome?” he said, and his voice went up at the end curiously, so it sounded like a question. She gazed at him for a moment with something I did not recognize- perhaps adoration, before she looked away awkwardly when she realized that every eye in the room was on her. Theseus exchanged baffled looks with each other. Ariadne was acting perfectly loopy right now. I was aware of her watching us as we ate our dinners of potato, fresh lamb chops, and clams. Every time Theseus and I caught eyes, we almost laughed aloud, partly because of Ariadne’s behavior, and partly because King Minos had just opened his mouth to speak and a great piece of lettuce were stuck between his two front teeth. At one point, I actually spewed chewed-up potato out, back onto my plate, and Ariadne looked horrified by my immaculately disgusting manners. So after that, Theseus and I avoided each other’s eyes, and kept our eyes trained on our dinners. Therefore, it went smoothly after that. That is, until dessert. That was when the balance at the table between the rivaling Athenians and Cretans, tipped upside down. And this time, I can honestly say-it wasn’t my fault. This time at least.

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When the cake was brought out, everyone gasped. It was huge- 7 tiers, of yellow, fluffy cake, drizzled with chocolate. When pieces were passed around, we all took enormous bites, to find out that this was some of the best stuff on earth. For a while, nobody said anything, and indulged in their cake, but King Minos soon broke the atmosphere. He was a chubby man, with a thin, cruel smile, and hardly and hair left. He wore rich, royal robes of velvety material, and impressive ways to show off his wealth such as golden chains and fat rings everywhere.