Charlotte's Time Machine [COMPLETED]

A night to remember

"We don't usually invite the public into our home but we can make an exception with what happened today." The king who I learned his name is Henry, spoke first breaking the deadening silence that was setting in. He sat on the far side of the dinning table, munching on his food. On the other end of the table sat his wife, larysa, who wouldn't stop smiling at us with creepiest expression.

James and I sat together side by side, on one side of the table while alex, Veronica, Alfred and Zoe sat on the opposite side of us. Remind me how did I get myself in this position? Oh right, my running mouth would not shut up in the most crucial situations.

"A lot of people disagreed with the way the duels go." Larysa paused to drink from her glass of wine, wetting her dry mouth before continuing. "Including I. I always believed that a slave should and can defend his pride. Putting them on that field defenseless is disrespectful." Larysa turned to her husband, speaking to him directly as he shook his head in disagreement.

"You're always sensitive, Larysa. These duels are meant to show people the capability and strength our fighters have, so the women and children feel safe and in peace. So our enemies know that we are indestructible with undiminished power." The king spoke calmly with his jaw clenched. He's definitely not happy. "But I agreed to invite you both because of my wife and my son's wishes." He looked at both James and I, referring the words to us. I looked down at my plate, not really knowing what to say or do. The king didn't like what we did earlier and he has his own opinion about it.

"We're sorry your majesty for disagreeing with you but w-we stand with our opinion as well." James said, his voice muffed as he swallowed his food, shoving more and more in to his mouth. It's like he hasn't eaten for ages. Zoe and Alex giggled at him as he didn't even look up to meet the king's eyes, who was actually staring narrowingly disgusted at him.

I turned to James swallowing loudly and then going right back to being a pig. I looked away from him, shaking my head to examine the family who were all staring at him either amused or unimpressed. 

I elbowed James at his stomach, in an attempt to stop him from embarrassing himself. "Ooff." he choked and spat most of the food out of his mouth. Alex and Zoe laughed as James rubbed his stomach in agony and glared at me. 

"What was that for?!" He yelled at me, testing my nerves. I covered half of my face so no can see me mouthing words to him 'stop eating like that'. I then turned to smile forcefully at the wealthy intimidating family.

I glanced at Veronica who never looked up from the table. She paid no attention whatsoever or any interest in the scene unfolding. My heart felt slightly heavy with her detachment from the subject.  Her daughter however was chuckling delighted at James's and I's interaction, while Alfred was disgusted with the chewed food that dropped from James's mouth on to his plate.

"What do you mean I should stop eating like that?! I'm hungry and we don't have this food in our cabin." I covered my face with both hands as James took the chewed food and shoved roughly it in his mouth. Most of us grimaced except for Zoe who wouldn't stop giggling.

"James we're in front of the royal family!" I whispered loud enough for only him to hear. He froze and dropped his fork, causing a clicking sound from the plate then looked up. He noticed all eyes on him and turned red in the face. He shyly said sorry before looking down at his food. I shook my head at him as he continued to take big pieces from his plate.

"So, Charlotte" I turned to queen larysa as she ignored the beast beside me and gave me a gentle smile. "Tell us your story. We've heard about James through the guards but we've never heard about you." I heard James choked beside me and hastily drank from his glass to pass the food down his throat.