The Queen of Stones

Chapter 15

I walk into the dining room with Davi by my side and sit in my place at the table. All of the nobles in the five families, which are the only ones who have dinner with me and Davi every day, become quiet and look at me. Unlike most nights, the background noise of conversation is not restored after we begin eating. The empty seats of Alastair Bonavich and the, now gone, Van Coren family brings a heavy and unportable atmosphere to the evening.

Across the long fancy table, I can see that some people are just looking each at other, waiting to see who will say the first word; while, others, are looking down, highly focused on their plates. Agnes, sit beside Davi, sends a sympathetic smile in my direction. I smile back.

"Could someone bring me more wine?" Sebastian Coldwell says, making every face in the table turn his away.

Quickly, a waiter fills his empty glass and, once again, the noise of the cutlery hitting the plates becomes the only sound.

In the middle of dinner, I finally gather up the courage to look at Clementine, sitting between her older brothers. When she raises her head from her food and we make eye contact, I show her a tiny smile, which makes her quickly turn her head to the other side of the table and continue eating. She probably won't forgive me so soon.

"Won't Your Majesty eat anything?" Alene Bonavich asks Davi, calling attention to his untouched plate.

He looks down, his cheeks becoming reddish. "I'm not very hungry today, Lady Alene." He scratches the back of his head. "Maybe I'll eat later."

"It is understandable, Your Majesty," Alene continues, looking straight into my eyes. "Giving the day that awaits us tomorrow."

I raise my eyebrow and hold myself not to say anything. There is no need for a scene.

"Alene, that's enough," Chastity Bonavich says to her daughter than turns to me, lowering her head. "I'm so sorry, Your Majesty."

"That's okay."

I look back at my plate, hoping dinner would be over soon. 

After what seemed like years of cutlery noise and strange looks, people finish their desserts and I stand up to leave, being followed by Davi, carrying his full plate.

"Why didn't you just say you don't feel comfortable eating in front of other people?" I ask Davi as soon as we find ourselves alone in the corridor, walking in the direction of our room.

"I don't feel comfortable telling everyone that."

"Well, I think it's ridiculous that Alene only noticed this today."

"People are normally too caught up in their conversations to notice this." He scratches his head with his free hand. "Anyways, you only noticed this when we were married for a year."

I look at him. "What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing. I'm sorry." Davi increases the distance between us. "I didn't mean anything."

"I'm not attacking you, Davi." I put my hand to the front with my palm faced up. My voice raises. "I'm just asking."

"It's just... It's just that you always seem like you're mad at me."

I roll my eyes.

"See?" Davi says. "You look mad."

I sigh. "I am not mad." I massage my temples. "I'm just worried, you know. With everything that's happening."

"I know, but just try to relax." He places his left arm around my shoulder. "Tomorrow all of this will be over and life at court will go back to normal."