Nadine

35. Fancy Dinner

"Is everyone coming to dinner, mom?"

"Yes."

"The baby?"

"Yes."

"Both boys?"

"I didn't think about that."

"Nice one mom. Honestly, Dipak is probably totally done with liking me. After the whole me thinking he was going to kill me and running him all over the woods thing. His eyes will never get dark after that. It should be safe for me to hold the baby."

"Have you talked to him about it?"

"No. There's nothing I could even say. I ran from him momma. I thought he was going to kill me. How could I even apologize for that? I was so scared of him."

"Dipak is a good guy princess. He understands you are going through a lot. He's probably not even mad."

"Oh I'm sure he's mad and you didn't think he was such a good guy when you were trying to kill him that day."

She laughs. "Well, I heard some things I wasn't happy about. I should have waited to see what really happened before I tried to hurt him though."

"What did you hear about him?"

"That he was trying to steal you."

I start laughing. "Where would he take me? We both live here."

"All I knew was that my baby was gone and I was scared. I started hearing rumors about him and I was mad."

"I think Tre heard those same rumors. He didn't tell me what they were. He tried to apologize to me for being mad when I was out all night."

"What did you say?"

"I stopped him. I told him I was sorry. I didn't mean to make Tre feel bad or have to hear rumors. I'm sure it was horrible for him."

"Yes child, it probably was. But don't forget, he still came to your rescue that day, before he even knew the truth."

I go into the castle smiling. That is true. He was so mad but he still came and picked me up. He took me to the doctor. I wonder if he was ordered to. He's an acting advisor. They have to keep me safe. Maybe he didn't want to save me that day. But he had to.

4 hours later, I'm all ready for dinner. Mary put me in a princess dress. I like nurse's dresses better but mom wanted me fancy. A fancy dinner in the dining room is what she called it.

I come in last. The men all stand up and Tre pulls a chair out for me. He looks handsome all dressed up.

I sit down and stare at the empty plate. People are talking all around me and all I want to do is cry. I put my hands in my lap and be quiet.

Tre grabs my hands under the table.

Then he stands up and pulls me up. He leads me right back out of the dining room and into the sitting room. "What's wrong baby?"

"Why did you pick me up from the ground?"

"I wasn't going to let you get trampled."

"But that's your job now, right? To make sure I'm safe?"

"Part of it, yes. I don't understand what your asking."

"Mom said something to me today and it made me think. She told me she heard rumors about Dipak when we were out. I told her that I thought maybe you heard the same ones because you were mad when we pulled up."

"Yes."

"She said even though you were mad that day, you still came to my rescue and got me off the ground and to the doctor."

He grabs my hand. "I heard the commotion and came back. They had lost you in the crowd and it scared me. I jumped in. It wasn't because it was my job. It really scared me. I don't want anything to happen to you."

I throw my arms around his shoulders and hug him. "Thank you for coming back for me even when you were mad."

"I always will princess."

"Because it's your job?"

He kind of chuckles. "No. I will always do my best to keep you safe. Job or no job." He puts his hand on my chin and locks eyes with me. "I really do care about you. Even when I'm mad, I still care."

"I love you."

"I love you too baby. Let's go eat."

I throw my arms back around his neck. "Do I have to eat? And I ate all that fish today. I'm not hungry."

"Eat some at least." He kisses me on the forehead.

My mom watches us sit back down. Then she stands up. "Thank you for coming everyone. I was talking to Nadine earlier and I realized there is a lot of love in this room. Nadine, where there is a lot of love there are also a lot of issues. We all live together and no one has space. People say and do things they wish they wouldn't and we all have to keep going. But we do keep going because of all the love between us. It's not just a job child. People can quit a job. It's love that keeps it together. Me and Dipak for example. He is a great advisor. He's always been protective of you. I know that he will die before he lets anything happen to you. However, there were some rumors that flew around recently and I reacted horribly. The man that I trust with my daughters life, I was ready to kill. So Dipak, I do apologize for that. I should have got the whole story before I made up my mind to kill you." Everyone laughs. "Tre when you... No I don't regret that one." Everyone laughs even harder. "My point is, next time rumors start flying about someone. Let's give them the benefit of the doubt until we get the real story, ok? Let's try a bit more communication before the swords come out. No talking of murder or castration or breaking bonding contracts or anything. Let's try communication."

I am out of the royal hall on the last communication. I don't know if there was anymore to that speech.

I'm going where they'll never find me. I need some alone time and I'll let him break the contract when I get back.

I hear my dad yell, "AURELIA!" before I get the door shut.