Royalty? It's Not What You Think. (ON HOLD)

Chapter 10: Dinner-time Pleasantries

Soon, everyone moved the dining hall for a feast. A grand table was laid out with a copious amount of food. The length of that table was enormous! It would seat every single one of the hundreds of people here. I could not even see the end of the table from where I sat at the head. On my right was Prince Auden, and to my left, sat Gavin. I noticed earlier that he had fought with Father to sit in his place next to me.

Servants bustled about setting plates, filling glasses of wine and preparing so serve the delicacies. There so many foods that it was impossible to eat everything. There was ham, turkey, chicken, mutton, and various other meats. Savory vegetables of every color were presented with mouth watering aromas. Potatoes and gravy and soups and so many other things! There was just too much to count!

 As soon as they were served, people ate. Though the found looked delicious, my appetite was not up for much, so I just picked at my food and ate small bites. Mostly, I chatted with my brother grateful for his company. Although it would have been nice to have Father, Gavin was more of a companion for me, so I was thankful for that. We talked about all of the pranks and jokes we played in our childhood. And about how we always made plans to sneak out of the castle, but ended up abandoning them because Mother found out. I could not help but think what would have happened if we did not listen to Mother once…

“Gavin, I think that we should try to sneak out once again.” I whispered under the multitudes of conversations.

An expression of shock came over my brother’s expression. “You can not be serious, Evelynn…”

“We are not children anymore. You are 22 years old and more than capable of taking care of me. What more can Mother say?” I said. Just the thought of getting out for once excited me.

“Little sister, you do realize that you are at your engagement party, do you not? It would not be right for you to leave the castle grounds anymore. There could be those who oppose...” Gavin explained.

“Oh, it will be alright. Besides we will travel in secret, and we will explore Creeyn, not Tyron. It is not like I am going to be attacked by my own people.” I said.

Gavin frowned. “I do not think it will be possible, Evelynn.”

“Why not?” I questioned.

“That is…Well, how will we pull it off?”

“We will ask Mother up front. She can not say no to us forever. The time has come that she allows us to do something on our own. She finally acknowledged me as an adult as a result of the engagement. There should not be any problem if two adults go out, right?” I reasoned.

Gavin remained silent.

Huffing from disappointment, I looked to Prince Auden who was laughing happily and gulping down wine as if it were his birthday. He ate heartily as if he was happy about the engagement.

He was a fantastic actor.

 Stopping my conversation with my brother, I brought my lips to Prince Auden’s ear and whispered, “I need to be excused.” The merriment in the room was making me claustrophobic, and I understood that my conversation with Gavin has ended.

As if understanding my thoughts, he asked, “Do you require a servant?”

“No, I will be fine.” I stood up to leave offering apologetic smiles to people who were curious of my departure.

Gavin grabbed my hand and gave me a questioning look.

“I just need some air. I will be back soon.” I said without looking at him.

“Would you like me to go with you?” He said as he began to rise out of his chair.

“That will not be necessary.” I snapped a bit too harshly.