The Breakfast Disaster
1808 Words
Prince Liam strode into the dining room, still in a bad mood from the previous day. If he had his way he would lock himself in his room and never come out, but despite everything he still had commitments as a Royal Vampire that he couldn't ignore.
Bentley and Maria stood by the doorway, hands clasped in front of them as they waited. "Good morning your highness" they greeted him and he scowled.
"What's so good about it."
Their smiles dropped as he sat down at the table with a huff and crossed his arms.
"Oh boy" Bentley whispered under her breath gulping, as Maria nudged her as a reminder to remain silent. They would not be allowed to start serving until her majesty entered the room, and it was uncomfortable for them with an angry Prince in the room. You could cut the tension with a knife.
Footsteps sounded just outside and the girls bowed as the Queen and her two visitors entered the room. "Good Morning Your Majesty." She flicked a hand at them impatiently and Bentley rushed to pull a chair out for her.
Meanwhile Maria greeted the two visitors who stood there curiously. "Good morning" she said and they barely even looked at her. Both were too busy staring at Prince Liam.
Maria's eyes narrowed in annoyance. The man was tall and muscled. He had neatly trimmed black hair with squinty green eyes covered with glasses. He had a neatly trimmed moustache and His clothes were simple, plain black pants and a white business shirt. He was what one might be considered handsome if his face was not arrogant or as snooty as it looked at the moment. He also gave up a disturbing vibe that Maria didn't like.
The girl on the other hand was clearly the man's daughter. She looked about 18 and her hair was a stunning black in a modern Bob hairstyle. Her eyes were just as dark and her dress was black leather and so tight, that Maria briefly wondered how she was able to walk. A large white fur coat completed the look with black boots and fishnet stockings. All in all she resembled a streetwalker, thought Maria uncharitably.
Bentley seated Queen Annabeth who gestured at the girl "Violet sit next to me darling." The girl's eyes widened and she sat down preening. She was now seated between Prince Liam who was seated at the end of the table and Queen Annabeth.
Maria quietly pulled out a chair and said politely "Please be seated." Without a word he sat on the other side of Prince Liam who was pointedly ignoring them.
"Liam" Queen Annabeth said sharply "I would like you to meet Marcus and his daughter Violet."
Prince Liam levelled a gaze at her. Had she not learned her lesson from last night? He wanted to rage at her, fling her from the room or out the window. It might not kill her but it would make him feel better.
"Nice to meet you" he bit out and Violet smiled at him. He purposely avoided looking at her cleavage which was threatening to burst out of her dress. Queen Annabeth sighed heavily while Marcus simply raised an eyebrow at her.
Bentley began timidly pouring chilled blood into their goblets, her hands shaking as she poured. She was incredibly nervous and was afraid of being told off or worse. Maria was relieved when Bentley finished without spilling a single drop.
"Your Majesty what can I offer you for breakfast?" Maria asked thinking it was best she served her rather than poor Bentley.
Queen Annabeth faced her with a cold expression. "What is available" she enquired and Maria forced herself to smile. "There is apple and cinnamon muffins, banana pancakes, chocolate croissants, fruit salad, yoghurt, whipped cream, syrup and spreads." She listed.
The Queen looked thoughtful. "I believe that I will try a banana pancakes with whipped cream and a chocolate croissant" she said intrigued. She had never had those before and wondered why the chef was cooking so differently.
Maria expertly served those to the Queen who sat and waited for the others to be served. Bentley seemed to gather some courage. "Your highness, what would you like for breakfast?" she squeaked and Violet snorted.
Prince Liam ignored her and requested 'I'll have a pancake with whipped cream, a croissant and a muffin to start."
To be honest as soon as he had heard the food choices his stomach had growled and he wanted to try these new foods that smelled so good.
Once he was served, he too waited as their so called guests were served.
"What would you like For breakfast" Bentley stammered to Violet whose eyes flashed.
"It's Miss Violet to you" she said rudely "and I only want fruit and yoghurt. I have to watch my figure.'
Bentley apologized and served her while Maria wanted to punch her. Vampires didn't gain weight as their metabolisms were too fast. Clearly Violet wanted Prince Liam to admire her figure but her comment hadn't even produced a look from him.
Marcus also requested a pancake and croissant and to Maria's surprise, he was very polite. Once they had all been served, they began to eat while the maids stood by ready for any requests.
"This is delicious" Queen Annabeth said in delight as she sampled the pancakes. She took a bite of her croissant and smiled. The maids were delighted. Queen Annabeth was quite a fussy eater, and had been known to throw plates of food in anger when she hated them, so for her to say that was high praise indeed.
Prince Liam merely nodded, shoveling food down at a rapid rate. "More" he demanded, food still in his mouth.
Bentley took his plate.
"The same?"
Prince Liam nodded, still trying to swallow the food he had in his mouth. Bentley handed the plate to him and giggled, quickly placing a hand over her mouth.
Violet's eyes widened.
"You dare to laugh at his highness" she said incredulously her voice high and imperious.
"I'm sorry" Bentley whispered backing away, her eyes filling with tears.
"You are nothing but a servant girl, a waste of space" Violet spat, her father nodding in agreement opposite her. Queen Annabeth looked nervous. Her son had always hated it when people looked down on the servants, and it never failed to cause his temper to erupt.
Sure enough, there was a loud clinking sound as Prince Liam dropped his fork on the plate. He stood up furious, as Bentley cowered behind Maria.
"Who are you to tell off my servants" he thundered at a shocked Violet whose eyes went round. Queen Annabeth reached out a hand to placate him and he smacked it away.
Violet began to wail, and even her father flinched at the high pitched shrieking, reminiscent of a child's tantrum. "You can't speak to me like that" she shrieked.
Prince Liam's eyes narrowed.
"You have forgotten your place" he warned, deadly quiet.
Violet ignored him.
"I am to be your wife" she yelled "how dare you."
The room went deadly silent. His mother refused to look at him. Maria and Bentley instinctively backed away and took cover on the other side of the door. Prince Liam's anger took control completely. He grabbed the table and overthrew it as his mother and Violet shrank back. Marcus trembled in his chair, too frightened to move.
"This is the last straw" he whispered looking at his mother and the others in disgust. "You have no right to do this. Only last night did you attempt the same thing. What made you think today would go any different?"
Queen Annabeth couldn't answer. Truth be told she hadn't been expecting Marcus and Violet to visit so early in the morning and while she had agreed Violet was a lovely girl, she had not once told her she would be marrying her son. After last night's debacle it would have been sheer stupidity on her part.
Guards came rushing to the door. "Highness" they called and Prince Liam gestured them forward. He pointed at a pale Violet who was clutching at a chair for support.
"Take her to the dungeons" he roared and she gasped looking at Queen Annabeth for help. Queen Annabeth looked away.
"You said he would marry me" she screamed, kicking and flailing while the guards grabbed her.
"I didn't" Queen Annabeth whispered dully "You came to that conclusion yourself."
Violet struggled mightily. "Father help me" she cried out and Marcus met Prince Liam's eyes.
"I apologize for my daughter's arrogance" he said quietly looking very upset. "Your mother however did not say anything about my daughter marrying you."
Prince Liam's anger at his mother dissapitated. "Violet will still spend two days in the dungeons. Nobody is permitted to scold my servants or try to trick me into marrying them."
Marcus nodded "that is only fair your highness."
"You ba*****" Violet spat at him and Marcus turned away. Prince Liam however halted the guards for a moment and stood in front of her. She smiled thinking he was about to release her. Prince Liam dragged a finger down her cheek and smiled cruelly at her. "I would never marry a b**** like you. You look like a dried up streetwalker with those clothes and your personality on the inside is as ugly as your outside."
Violet couldn't believe what she was hearing. She was perfect. She only had to crook a finger and any man she wanted came running. How could Prince Liam not want her?
The guards dragged Violet away and Prince Liam turned to his mother who sat looking old and tired on a chair. For a moment his eyes softened and he wanted to say something to ease her distress, but he hardened his heart. He woul not allow his feelings to influence him.
Without a word he strode from the room, veering around the two frightened maids clutching each other. Queen Annabeth stood on shaky feet. "Marcus" she said tiredly "I'm going to retire to my room. I suggest you do the same and wait for your daughter to be released."
Marcus nodded his agreement.
"Let me escort you to your room" he said kindly and Queen Annabeth took his arm gratefully.
They walked out the door slowly together while the maids bowed in respect. Maria and Bentley surveyed the room and were overwhelmed. The table was broken, and food littered the floor and walls everywhere. Chairs were tipped over, and there was a large hole in the wall from a chair leg being flung into it. "Go see Neil and ask for some guards to help with the heavy stuff" Maria murmured, surveying the damage. Bentley rushed off, and Maria gingerly began to clear what she could.
- Writer
