The Outsider (Outsider #1) ✔️

Chapter 94 : Peaceful 7th Day?

They had breakfast on the terrace. Given the choice between the terrace and the normal dining room and she chose the former. Open air breakfast was appealing. Lord Cartier did not join them for breakfast so that his children get a chance to bond with Dusk Hale and the Princess in an informal environment.

"I think we should have taken a shower before coming up for breakfast." Catherine said wrinkling her nose.

"Perhaps," Dusk replied with a laugh, "But our hosts would have finished their meal twice by the time both of us finished our bath. And that would be rude. Still, I will ask Mr. Kip, here, being the eldest and representing our host, Lord Cartier, whether we made the right choice."

Seeing Kip hesitate, Catherine giggled cutely, "See, he thinks we stink but he is afraid he will offend you, so he is keeping quiet!"

"No, No! Ms. Hale, Princess, I think nothing of that sort!" he exclaimed on seeing Dusk looking mortified. "In fact, I agree with Ms. Hale's opinion. The time taken for a bath would make the breakfast unpalatable. It's nice to have it at the right time. Else, we may as well make it a brunch. In the countryside, we do wake up early, specially if it is a 7th day."

"Yes. Actually, I was surprised to see both of you out on the garden doing training exercises on a 7th day morning! I thought you would sleep late. And my! Those looked so painful!" Gorgeous put in.

Dusk smiled ruefully, "No choice, you see... the trainer did send someone to wake us up in the morning, asking why we were not in training. It seems we forgot to take his approval for not going there this morning. Luckily, he was a little understanding. At the University, the Military Trainers would put in an extra hour of punishment for that!"

"How did you like the party last night, Ms. Hale?" Kip asked.

"Please call me Dusk. This Ms. Hale sounds like I am being addressed by some formal corporate contact! Or my teachers when they are questioning my performance in class." Dusk replied munching on a cheese and caramel toast. She had never head sweetened bread and found it amazing. "The party was nice. Everyone was friendly and welcoming. I think I made some friends too. Unfortunately, we needed to get back to our rooms early. My apologies for our rude conduct."

"Please Dusk! We are the ones to blame for that mess. You had to leave because we, as hosts, messed up. That security story was a disaster. You know it's all over the Social Media? I have a feeling someone is going to get punished today..." Kip said with a laugh, hoping that humour will help everyone forget the mess his brother created.

They made some small talk while they ate the rest of the wonderful breakfast. The Chef had outdone himself when he found that a Princess from the Royal Family was a breakfast guest.

Then Gorgeous asked, "Tell me, did that Duke Jones... Sorry Luke Jones come to our Manor yesterday? I can't believe it! That he would come uninvited. He is considered an important person, you know. You know him pretty well, right? Was he offended we had not invited him? Because if he felt offended, then we ARE in big trouble."

"Why should you care if he is offended? Or why should you be inviting him to a party meant for kids? In fact, I would not be here either except that Cath... Princess Catherine would not be allowed to come alone."

All three siblings noted how Dusk was accustomed to call the Princess by her first name or even a nickname and decided that she was not to be offended or crossed. Only those really powerful and high up in the social circles would be able to call a Princess by their first names.

"What do you mean, Dusk? Do you not know how scary that guy is? If he decided that we were insulting him by not calling him, or by not greeting him, and he decided to do something about it... brrr!" Gorgeous exclaimed.