Steel Rose

Chapter 13

Belle Pov

I suppose suffering could be used for this situation, maybe not. I had no desires to be here, but I wasn't going to complain and say it was boring either. Because it wasn't.

Ladies of all houses roamed and mingled with each other, with false smiles and slicing words. I stuck close with my own mother, very close. Her incident made us all very weary of her, yet she couldn't miss out on this opportunity. Unlike me, she always took the chance to interact.

"Take it easy Mother," I said quietly to her locking her arm in mine.

"Stop worrying, Isabelle. Enjoy the lunch," she assures me patting my hand.

Enjoy. I would scoff, Yea, ok. I enjoy and empty room and a novel. I blush at my sly sinful thought, maybe with Ptolemus.

"Shall we sit ladies," the Queen voice says her voice high and light. We all quickly take our seats, and the first course is served. Mother quickly engages herself in conversation with a lady from house Rambos.

   I sit quietly for a while, picking at my food. Mother notices of course, and her elbow bumps mine slightly. I set down my fork and knife before sipping at my water.

   "Something wrong with the food?" A quiet almost whispered voice says next to me. Elane Haven. Her red hair sits perfectly on her shoulders, as she creates a blanket of light around her so she looks flawless. I am not moved, but smile anyway.

   "The food is delicious, thank you." I smile back the action pulling at me. I don't wish to talk to the simple shadow. But if course, I keep my manners and force politeness and patience in my words. "I'm just not overly hungry,"

   She nods sipping at her own water, "Words have floated," she starts putting down the clear glass. "That you have spent time with Ptolemus Samos," she says.

   I don't react folding my hands in my lap. I don't know how that got out. I had only officially been out with him once. But I don't think about it too hard either.  "Yes, I have." I answer. "He's a gentlman,"

   My sarcasm throws her off, for a half a second. She replies softly and slowly, "I'm sure he is,"

   I nearly gasp in relief when we are all dismissed from the lunch a few hours after. And I can tell I'm not the only one glad to be released. Mother bids her friends goodbye, before returning to me. She locks our arms together before leading me away. My legs had fallen asleep a while ago, and it felt so good to be back on them again.

   "That was fun," I say with a chuckle.

   Mother doesn't find it as amusing, "You need to get our more Isabelle. You can no longer keep to yourself. Its not proper for you not to have a conversation with the other guests."

   I stop myself from groaning. No matter what I do, Mother won't take complaint. "I know," I say instead. "I convetsated a little with a Haven girl." I offer her.

   "And how was that?" Mother asks keeping her head straight.

   "Brief," I answer, "she's not that interesting."

  
   I don't meet Ptolemus that night. I can say that I'm dissapointed, but my brothers take this time to poke and pick at me.

   "How is Training?" Christian asks as we all sit together in the sitting room.

   I shrug, "Its not anything. Same as always."

   "What about that guy you're seeing?" Titus asks opening a candy wrapper.

   I hid my blush and keep my voice normal. "What about him?"

   He places the sweet in his mouth, moving it around, "He treating you right?"

   I sigh, "We only went out once, you guys."

   "So its over?" Quinton asks sitting up.

   "No!" I sigh and Christian chuckles. "Why do you guys always insist on picking into my life? Don't you have one of your own?"

   "Sure," Titus shrugs, "Yours in just more interesting. Not everyday you score the attention of a Samos."

   I don't see any specialty in it. But I try to turn the attention away from me. "Kane," I say. "What about you and that girl," I snap my fingers trying to remember her name. 

   "Lilith," he answers for me.

"Right, how are you guys?" Lilith is the girl that Kane was betrothed to many months ago. By now, the wedding would have taken place, but Lilith insisted on taking things slow. Not that anyone was in any rush to get married.   

   He shrus, "We're fine," he says simply.

   "Do you at least like her. A little?" Quinton asks tilting his head.

   "She's good. Soft spoken, with fire in her eyes, doesn't talk much though," he shakes his head, "When did this suddenly become about me?"

   "When I made it about you," I throw back with a laugh. "When is the last time you saw her anyway,"

   "About a week ago, why?"

   "Just asking."

   Father appears in the doorway, "You all should be in bed by now," he says pointing behind him with his thumb. He isn't in his pajamas. He is frowning, deeply.

   We all hesitate for a moment before we stand on by one. We follow out the sitting room oldest the youngest, Father following. "How did she do today?" he asks me quietly.

   "Well," I answer knowing that he is asking about Mother. "She didn't break a sweat. She seemed alright," I shrug. I don't know how I feel about talking about my mother like she is a child, "I still believe she should take it easy, not push her body too hard."

   Father nods, "Yes, I agree with you." he sighs pushing a piece of hair behind his ear. "I just can't wait to tell her that,"

   I muster a chuckle as Father turns into his bedroom. "Goodnight," I say and he closes the door. I walk back to my own room, listening to the silence. I pull my hair out of its ponytail, shaking it loose. I takes little effort for me to unzip my dress, since I've never had a real maid of my own. Nor do I want one. I step out of the outfit, slipping on my night clothes. 

   I climb into my bed, but I don't lay down. I know I should, yet  I know I should. I can't bring myself to rest, or close my eyes. I feel peaceful. But worry and premature grief creeps up on me as well. It threatens to grow, but I know I can't let it. I can't jump to conclusions. Not about my mother, Ptolemus or anything else. Easier said then done though.