Not Part of the Deal

Chapter 10 ~ Location, Location, Location...

Wow! What is this? My third chapter this week!? I think I deserve a vote for that you guys! ;)  I would really appreciate some feedback on this chapter, tell me if it is boring.  I think its not boring.  It has a little spice to it.  I introduce a new character.  This is getting pretty fun, not that it wasn't before.  I have about 19 more chapters of this to go, so keep your eyes peeled!  Hope you enjoy!  All glory to God!

VOMMENT PLEASE!!!!!! <3

                                                                 ~xoxo Britt

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"You should talk to him," Eliza whispered as we entered the Great Hall through the already open double doors.  A long table ran the length of the hall and my eyes quickly fastened on Westley.  A feeling of betrayal stabbed my gut, but I couldn't help feeling sympathetic towards him.  He looked so sad and lonely.  Did I do this to him?

"No, I can't!" I hissed as Eliza half led, half dragged me towards him.

"Well you have to sit by him anyways.  It would be improper if you didn't," she explained to me.  I looked at her with pleading eyes.  She just shrugged. "Don't worry, I'll sit on your other side."

I sighed in defeat and let her lead me to the far end of the room.  By this time Westley had noticed out arrival and he stood and bowed in greeting.  I gave him a slight nod in return and felt a blush creep across my face as he pulled out my chair for me.

His parents, sitting farther down the table shared knowing smiles with each other.  I shamelessly stuck out my tongue at them.  Eliza coughed to hide a giggle as King Joshua's smile quickly turned to a glare.  So much for being a lady, I thought with a self-satisfied grin.

I inhaled deeply the beautiful smell of food that was circulating throughout the room.  Soon enough one of the servants- another thing I wasn't used to -placed a bowl of what appeared to be a kind of soup in front of me.

"What is this?" I asked, turning to Eliza who had a bowl of the same orange-brown liquid in front of her.  She took a polite sip from her spoon and smile in pleasure.

"Butternut soup, Cook's special," Westley answered for Eliza.  I turned and gave him a glare.

"I wasn't asking you." I said disdainfully as I tentatively took a sip of my soup.  I shrugged.  It wasn't bad, not bad at all...

"Are you still upset with me, Nadia?" asked Westley.  He placed two fingers on my chin and gently turned my head so he could look me in the eyes.  I chose to ignore him and stared at his soup instead.  He sighed and in my peripheral vision I noted tired bags underneath his eyes. "I'll take that as a yes."

He let me return to my soup and Eliza elbowed me in the side, shooting me a stern look.  I pretended not to notice even though it did kind of hurt and focused all of my attention on eating.

"So, Eliza, what have the two of you been up to  the past few days?" Westley asked politely, leaning forward so he could see around me.  I pretended I was invisible and continued to eat.

"Not very much, Highness.  I do believe this is m'lady's first venture out of the East Wing.  We visited Laura and had this dress made up for the Princess.  Doesn't she look pretty?" Eliza told Westley, giving me a cheeky wink.

"She looks beautiful," Westley agreed, a slight smile on his lips.  Eliza waggled her eyebrows at me discretely and I blushed once again.  This time I hid it with an annoyed scowl as I ladled the delicious soup into my mouth.