Chapter 2— Dinner in the lion's den

LARISSA AURÉLIE FARSULEIA

I tucked my hair behind my ear, making sure I looked presentable before I nodded to the footmens, signalling that I was ready for them to open the door. The large door creaked open, unveiling my father, who immediately swivelled around as the sound caught his attention.

“Aurélie!” My father greeted me, the Marquess, arms wide out for an embrace. It’s been a while since I last saw my father with a big smile. I didn’t expect that a cure would make him this happy—he really cares for me, a lot. 

That thought made me unconsciously smile.

“Father.” I ran towards his warm embrace. He pulled away seconds later and said, “Can you believe it? They’ve finally found the cure for your blessing to go back to the way it was!” He ecstatically said.

You heard that right, these aren’t my powers. I originally have been blessed with divine powers like my parents, but when I turned eight, one of our maids secretly put the crushed petals of a flower that can change the power—or better known by its name, the flower of chaos. It did not only change my powers, but also my whole life. It has gotten so worse that my father searched the whole country for someone to seal my powers. Everything went downhill because my blessings changed. 

But nevertheless, upon hearing the news from my father, I was given hope—a hope to bring back what used to be mine. 

“Yes, I heard.” I smiled widely, enough to match how big and genuine his smile was. 

“As a token of my gratitude, I invited Myra to our dinner. I hope that’s okay with you.” 

The smile on my face gradually dropped when my father stepped away from me, revealing a seated Myra at the end of the table, her chin placed in between the back of her hands, gently smiling at me. 

‘That fake smile.’

My hand balled into a fist to contain the rage rising into me. I swallowed down the shivers I felt down my spine, but that didn't make me take my eyes off her.

She didn’t back down either. Within seconds, our gazes became more intense. I furrowed my brows when she tilted her head, her smile even grew bigger in a sarcastic way. I bit the insides of my cheek. I was about to leave without saying so, but my father held my arm, breaking my gaze on her.

“Let’s go.” With his smile, it was enough for me to calm down. 

I composed myself and walked quietly to my seat, avoiding her look that may again trigger my irritation. The atmosphere was suffocating for the servants that were here with us, perhaps my father would notice it too. 

The Marquess cleared his throat, “So, Myra, how soon can you start the process?” he started. 

Myra, who was drinking water from her glass, looked at my father. He looked at her with anticipating eyes, silently hoping for a response that would please him. She put down her glass and smiled at both of us. “Well, we’re planning to give her at least a month. Things might get messy if she’s not in her best condition.”

“Please don’t smile at me like that.” I cut into their conversation, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

Myra’s eyes furrowed, but the smile stayed as it was. “What do you mean, my lady? I’m just happy for you—”

“And since when did you find abusing your work amusing?” 

She let out an awkward chuckle, exchanging gazes with my father and I. “I-I don’t understand—”

I raised an eyebrow in feigned surprise and let out a sarcastic ‘wow’, interrupting her. “You’re so good at pretending, Myra.” I added with a hint of bitterness.

“Aurélie,” My father's voice rang out, his tone gentle but firm. “ I’m sure you’re just overreacting. Myra’s just doing her job, are you not?” He added, turning his gaze to the physician in front of him, a flicker of concern in his eyes.

I scoffed at disbelief. “Father, are you serious?” I asked as I saw a glimpse of Myra nodding at my father’s remark. I clenched my jaw as I looked at her with disgust. 

I had just begun to open my mouth to speak once more when the sound of the dining door opening caught my attention, abruptly cutting me off.

“Chef! Great timing.” The chef’s appearance made my father clap his hands and applauded for his great timing.  It was obvious that he did not want to continue the conversation any further, I felt dismissed. That feeling made me bite the insides of my cheeks and plop onto my seat.

I watched them quietly as the cooks placed down our meal one-by-one. I thought they prepared the same dinner for the three of us, turns out I was wrong. My brows furrowed as I was served with a bowl of soup, completely different from what they were having, a full course dinner steak. 

“I requested the chef to cook you a different food, Lady Aurie, I hope you don’t mind. Your cuts are still fresh, the soup will speed up the healing process. Be careful, it’s still hot.” 

My brows furrowed when I noticed the colour of mine seemed off. 

“You could’ve suggested something that looks more appetising than this.” I murmured. I catched a glimpse of Myra, giving me a hard look, as if I was too entitled to give an opinion. I threw it back at her, which made her lower down her pride and bowed her head as a sign of apology. 

I let out a disappointed sigh as I sensed no sincerity from her gesture and took my spoon. I took a spoonful of the soup, but before it could reach my mouth, the aroma drew my nose forward. It smelled off, I can’t pinpoint what ingredients the cooks decided to put in here but it definitely did not smell edible.

Something’s just not right. As my head was filled with negative thoughts, I didn’t notice that my hand was already slightly shaking. I unconsciously reached out for my glass and started drinking from it. I was too immersed in my own mind that in an instant, I emptied out my glass. 

My father smiled in amusement, “You seem to be thirsty, dear.” He then pointed at my bowl with his spoon, “You still haven’t touched your soup.” 

I smiled awkwardly in response, “Right.” 

I picked up my spoon and ladled another spoonful of the soup. I pursed my lips as a wave of doubt clouded my thoughts. I repeatedly blew over my spoon, letting myself have more time to think on how to get myself out of here. 

Before I could blow again, Myra spoke, “My lady, I believe your soup is cold enough for you to eat.” 

I lacked the snark to give her a glance. Instead, I flashed her a brief smile, uneasiness still evident from the way I act. I was once again consumed by my own thoughts. I couldn’t hear their chatter for all I could hear was the soup that was dripping off my spoon. Is this right? I pondered too much that I didn’t notice Honoria was beside me, refilling my glass. Slowly, I opened my lips, welcoming the spoon into my mouth. However, it left there hanging when I felt an unusual, cold breeze pass by, along with words shouted in panic and in unison. 

“DON’T EAT IT!” 

I lost my grip on my spoon,  sending splashes of soup flying in all directions. Most of it splattered onto the white dining cloth, while a few droplets landed on my hand causing a slight burning sensation, but was swiftly swept away by my opposite hand. To my dismay, a large splatter landed on Honoria’s forearm, obscuring her fresh cut. My eyes widened when Honoria lost hold of the pitcher and plummeted towards the floor, breaking into large fragments. The water from the pitcher splashed in all directions, but most splattered across me. 

I let out a gasp as the water splashed on me, my eyes widening in surprise as I took in the ruined state of my gown. Instead of giving all of my attention looking down at the damp patches on my gown, I quickly turned to Honoria to check on her. 

“Are you alright? Did it burn?” I asked, concern etched on my face.

The grimace didn’t leave her face the moment she instinctively covered the wound with her other hand. The large dining door opened and the other servants came rushing in upon seeing the incident. I quickly signalled them to help with the disaster, and they went off to fetch a broom and a dustpan from the storage room. 

“I’m fine.” Honoria said through gritted teeth. She glanced over at my gown that was soaked with water, and her face immediately softened with regret. 

“I’m so sorry.” She said sincerely, “I didn't mean to make a mess. Your dress... it's all wet now.” She gestured at the damp fabric, a mixture of guilt and worry in her expression.

Honoria, feeling the sense of accountability, turned to my father and bowed as a gesture of apology. “My deepest apologies, my Lord, please excuse us as I help Lady Aurélie with her gown.” 

“You may go.” He gestured with a nonchalant flick of his wrist, though his face said otherwise, worrisome evident in his eyes.

Getting the Marquess's approval, she lowered her head in gratitude. As Honoria helped me hobble forward to the door through these heavy, damp clothes, which suddenly opened, revealing the servants who returned with the broom and dustpan. She cast a glance at them, the guilt visible in her face. The two smiled at her reassuringly, letting her know that it was all alright.

Her features softened, as if the weight she had been feeling had been lifted. She gave a small nod to the servants, appreciating their understanding, and then refocused on helping me as we continued to make our way upstairs to my room. As soon as we got to my bedroom, she quickly led me to my dressing room. 

She worked fast, I felt the laces unfastened on my back. Once the laces were untied, Honoria guided my arms out of the long sleeve. I stepped out of the gown when I felt it loosen, and she draped it over the back of a chair nearby. She then approached me with a towel in hand and knelt before me. Starting from my upper thigh, she gently patted my skin and made her way towards my toes. After doing so, she placed the towel at the same chair where she draped the gown. 

Honoria opened my wardrobe, letting her fingers skim over the various gowns hanging inside. At one glance, her fingers stopped at a silky fabric. She lifted out a light blue gown from the hanger, similar to the style of what I was wearing before, except this one had a square neck and puffed long sleeves. Honoria held it up for me to step into. She then gently slipped my arms into the sleeves and adjusted the gown until it fitted perfectly. After ten minutes of work, she took a step back to admire. I stared in awe as my fingers hovered on the silky fabric. 

“Do I still look okay?” I asked, a small smile tugged at the corners of my lips.

“You look divine as always, my lady.” she remarked, a warm smile on her face. “Let’s head to your vanity, so I can touch up your hair.” 

Honoria kindly let me leave the room first. I then settled onto the stool, patiently waiting for her to complete tidying up within the dressing area. She returned shortly after, took up a comb from the table, and softly ran it through my hair.

“Thank you so much, Ria.” 

I saw how she narrowed her eyes from the mirror. She then asked, “Are you not angry at me?

“Why would I be angry at you when you just saved me?” 

“Saved? Saved from what?”

She stopped combing when I turned to her and gave her a confused look. “Did you not feel anything strange from the food they served me?” 

Honoria shook her head. 

I furrowed my eyebrows, “I do not know if you saw but my hands were shaking while I took a spoonful. I was even having second thoughts on whether I should eat it or not.” I added.

She tilted her head in confusion, she did not have anything else to say. I let out a light, awkward chuckle and questioned again, “You’re serious, Ria?”

“My lady, it was a mistake of mine that I had no intentions of doing so.”

I intently looked at her serious expression before I turned my head away and stared at myself at the mirror in front of me, my face painted with a bewildered frown.

I cleared my throat and stiffened my back. I looked at her in the mirror and said, “Honoria, bring my dinner here. Tell my father that I am not comfortable eating my dinner with them.” Trying to change the topic.

“Very well, my lady.” She bowed upon hearing my request and left my room.

I stared at my own reflection in the mirror as I thought about what happened at the table. As what my eyes saw and Honoria witnessed battled through my mind, I let out a defeated sigh.

“I must've been imagining things.” I clicked my tongue and tilted my head. 

As soon as my maid left the room, the silence in my room was disrupted by the sudden change of weather. A thunder was apparent amongst the large, dark clouds. I heard tapping on the windows grow louder. The rain got heavy in a short amount of time, and several birds landed on the floor of my balcony. 

I stood up from my stool and slightly opened the balcony door, trying not to scare away the birds. But no matter how cautious I was, the birds quickly reacted and I watched them fly away in a hurry, leaving one behind. I shifted my gaze back to the little one that was left. I did not take any more steps towards it as I might scare it away too. I crouched down and intently looked at it, then I noticed that its wing was broken. 

I let out a small gasp as I carefully walked towards it, letting the rain that came along with a cold breeze brush my skin. I gently scooped the bird onto my palm, trying to avoid touching its wounded wing. As soon as it was secured on the palm of my hands, I hurriedly went back to my room and shut my doors with my hips. I set down the poor bird on the coffee table and abruptly grabbed the nearest towel my eyes laid on, folded it and placed the creature over the cloth. 

While I was busy helping the bird settle down, I didn’t notice that my maid had already gone back from the dining room. 

“My lady, here is your—what is going on? You’re slightly damp again.” Honoria walked closer only to stop at her tracks when she heard chirping from below. She looked at the direction where she had heard it and saw the feathered friend looking directly at her. I saw how she exchanged confused gazes with me and the bird that kept chirping, I let out a light laugh from the sight. 

“This little one sheltered on my balcony. I decided to bring it inside because it’s wounded.” I placed my hands on my hips and let out a weary sigh, feeling the strain from the unexpected work I went through.

“Oh, and you could leave my bowl on the table.” I added as I gestured towards the table in front of us with a nod of my head.

“Alright. Let me know if there’s anything else I need to do before I go back, the Marquess’s requesting for me.” She carefully placed my bowl down onto the table which drew the attention of the bird and took small, quick hops towards it. 

I shook my head upon hearing her words. “No, that’s all. I hope you won’t get a hearing from him.”

Honoria huffed a laugh. “Let’s hope not. But I still have to face it, afterall, it was my mistake to begin with.”

“Wait, before you go.” 

I swivelled around and my gaze immediately fell on the bedside table where the bandage had been placed earlier. Without hesitation, I strode towards it and snatched up the bandage, then swiftly returned to the figure. I unrolled a few yards, making sure it will cover the wound she has. I then let out my vacant hand, “Give me your arm.”

She obeyed without hesitation and extended her arms, resting it on my hand. I began to wrap the bandage around her arm, starting from the forearm and gradually making my way down to her wrist. I stole a brief glance at her, gratitude evident on her features as she quietly watched my hands work. I smiled to myself as I tied off the final loop, securing the bandage with a tight knot. I stepped back, her arm slowly retracted, and she continued to stare at the now-wrapped arm, a soft smile slowly appeared on her face. 

“Thank you, Lady Aurélie.”

With a short bow of her head, she turned to leave, gently closing the door behind her, leaving me alone with my feathery companion. I spun around and caught the bird happily eating my soup. I blinked, unsure of my next move, until a soft sigh escaped my lips.

"Well, I suppose you can have it," I mused, “I’m still quite full from the porridge I ate earlier.”

My feet carried me to the edge of my bed, and I collapsed onto the soft, cushiony mattress, my body sinking into its embrace. I let out a groan, muffled against the fabric of the bedspread before I shifted my position to lie flat on my back, now staring up at the ceiling. I felt uneasy again, and I don’t know where this is coming from—the atmosphere and the weather aren’t helping either. I lifted both my hands and pressed them against my face, shutting my eyes tightly as the feeling of exhaustion washed over me. It was clear that what I needed most was some rest.

I felt myself slipping into a sort of half-daze. However, just as I was about to fully give in to the tiredness, a thud suddenly pierced through the veil of my drowsiness and knocked me back to wakefulness. My eyes snapped open as I made the decision to sit up. I looked down, fixing my gaze onto the floor, hoping to find the object that fell and caused the sound.

My eyes widened in shock and horror as I realised the object on the ground wasn't an inanimate object at all. Instead, I found myself looking at the lifeless bird lying on the floor beside the coffee table, its mouth bubbling with a foamy, viscous liquid. My gaze shifted back to the soup that it had eaten a while ago, then it got me. Somewhere, a tiny ‘click’ sound can be heard as a puzzle piece falls into place. I found myself unable to stop my fingers from shaking as I slowly brought them to my lips.

“This was Myra’s doing…”