Memoirs of a Huntress

Dinner

Chapter 4: The Dinner

Of course getting ready I took over half an hour, but still I strode down the stairs and turned right taking a breath to get my ‘confident hunters mask’ on. The guard outside the door looked at me curiously as I just stood there so I played it off like I was waiting for him to open the door for me. “Are you going to open the door?” I asked him. My voice was cool and bit like frostbite. Startled the young hunter was quick to move to the door and open it, announcing my presence to the diners.

I strode confidently into the room and didn’t make eye contact with anyone except for my father who sat at the head of the table, at the other end of the room. Bowing my head slightly I broke eye contact and respectfully told the crowd, but addressed my explanation to him, “My apologies for being late. I had some work to finish up before making myself presentable so I could attend this dinner.” I looked up through my lashes at him to see his reaction.

He looked at me and smiled charmingly as if my late arrival was fine. “It’s alright. You know I will never get angry at you putting the clan first. We are so glad you could finish your work and join us, aren’t we.” Although he may seem genuine as he said this I could hear the underlining message;

Better late than never, but consequences will follow for this.

I nodded my understanding as the crowd at the table murmured their agreement with him, though I know they were all sucking up to him. “Please sit Tijana; there is a seat saved for you at the end of the table.” Once again I nodded my head and turned my back to him heading over to my seat, with everyone’s gaze on me.

With two seats free I chose to sit on the seat on the side of the table instead of the actual end. As I went to pull the chair out a maid scurried over and pulled back the chair at the very end of the table. She looked at me and indicated ever so slightly with her head that this chair and placing was for me. Cautiously I sat down and wondered why I was placed here.

As soon as I was seated the mindless chatter started to fill the room up once again. Placing the material napkin on my lap I prolonged having to look up and start the mindless chatter I would have to endure for the next hour or two. When that was done the food was being brought in, and me being so high up I was fourth to receive their plate of food. I was surprised to see the empty place on my left have a plate of food placed there, assuming it was empty and no one was sitting there. Not really having time to think much of it I started to eat, making sure to always have food in my mouth preventing me from talking.

The meal was perfect as usual and it satisfied my grumbling stomach. I had finished earlier than everyone else at the table and took this time to survey all in attendance. There was about 50-60 people here tonight and all wearing very expensive clothing. The women were all in their forties and were outrageously flirting with men (whom were married) in higher positions than their husbands were, while their husbands flirted with someone prettier than their wives. The daughters of the men and women here were practically being rich prostitutes and flirting with whomever they could make eye contact with but focusing mainly on my brothers. The sons of the men and women here were no better but focusing their attention on all my sisters, some even daring to look at my icy stare. I was careful not to let my father or mother see it, but wasn’t at all worried about these push-overs around me seeing it.

My siblings were all spread around the table, each talking to those around them. My older siblings either talked about business or recounted entertaining stories making those listening laugh joyfully. My father seemed to be recounting a story while my mother was busy doing… business. Well her version of business included in outrageously flirting behind my father’s back with whatever client was present. I sighed quietly to myself and moved past her to see Julie sitting halfway up the table and politely listening to a guy, about nineteen years-old, talk to her. She looked past him and saw me. I smiled smally at her and she beamed back before looking back at the guy before her, who was no doubt bragging about himself.