Adea
For a second, I didn’t utter a word. I just stared at Ava, amused by her cheeks flushed from a mixture of anger, jealousy, and embarrassment. The sun had the same effect on her, sweat dripped down the side of her face and fell to the ground. Everything she’d ever done to me had me sitting back and enjoying every second of her fit. I could see her anger rising with my lack of response and it only made this moment sweeter.
“What’s the rush? Our guest of honor has arrived. We have more than enough time,” I said. “What do we even have to do?” I asked.
“We’re going to be judging the others from higher ground,” Ava said.
“You can’t be serious?” I laughed. When I looked at my sister, the expression on her face answered that. She was dead serious. “Why would we do that?” I asked.
“It’s what anyone of high nobility does. Our guests have arrived, and now we’ll go and judge them,” Ava said. She said it as if this explanation was enough to make me understand.
“Skipping breakfast to greet guests is one thing. Continuing not to eat because we’re judging makes no sense to me,” I rolled my eyes. This was such nonsense.
“You’re not eating because you’ll bloat. I would like for you to fit it in your dress,” Ava said. Her words were meant to taunt me. As if I cared about fitting in my dress. “We need to keep your waist thin. If I’m being honest with you, you look like you’ve gained a few pounds,” she whispered with mock sincerity. Again, he words were meant to hurt me, but I already knew that was a lie. If anything, I had lost.
“I’m so happy you’re concerned with my weight and my looks, but I’ve got that under control. Besides,” I said as I took a step toward her. “Men like a little something to hold onto. Not everyone finds a thin waist appealing.”
Her cheeks flushed further, and I knew she got what I insinuated. It was petty, but I’d had enough of her consistent prattle. It was time I put her in her place. If I stopped now, she would only get worse. I’d been proving to her that I wouldn’t be taking any more of it.
I turned on my heel and headed inside the packhouse. I needed to find that kitchen boy. I didn’t care what he made me. Anything would be better than this bottomless pit I felt in my belly.
I didn’t bother checking to see if my sister was following me. I already knew she would follow even if she wasn’t right on my tail. It was my day after all, and if this was my celebration day, I could at least have a bite to eat.
When we grow near the dining room, the guards there open the doors for us. I walked through the large room and pushed open the servants’ door. There weren’t any meals being prepped here today, but there were a couple of servants cleaning in here. I spotted the boy right away and nodded at him as he dipped his head respectfully.
“You’ve found me again,” the boy said cheerfully.
“I have,” I smile.
“What would you like?” He asked.
“I would appreciate anything. Thank you,” I said.
Taking my leave, I turned from him and walked back through the door to find my sister glaring at me. I ignored her and walked to the table. Taking a seat, I closed my eyes and waited. I heard her shuffle on her feet before walking toward me and taking a seat.
“You shouldn’t show how comfortable you are going into the servant area,” Ava said.
I decided to ignore her and didn’t open my eyes. Maybe if I blocked her out she’d leave me alone.
“It’s unbecoming of an heir,” Ava continued.
I couldn’t help but groan.“Don’t you ever get tired of being better than everyone else?” I asked. Opening my eyes, I found my sister sitting across the table from me in her usual spot near father’s chair. If she wasn’t already sitting up straight, I know she would have straightened her back. “Isn’t it exhausting looking down your nose at everyone?”
“Why would I tire of my place?” Ava asked.
“Your place? Have you ever been honest with yourself about your place?” I asked. I shook my head. I needed to stop. Arguing with her was pointless. I could already feel a headache coming on and the last thing I needed was to engage in a useless argument.
“I know my place,” Ava said. “Do you know yours?” She doesn’t even give me time to respond. “How could you know your place? You’re sneaking around with a servant, a wanna-be alpha that will never move higher than his station. You are an heir, Adealine. Why don’t you act like one? Walking through the servant’s quarters as if you belong there,” Ava scoffed. She didn’t bother hiding the disgust from her voice.
“Why do any of these things matter? Is his station of any importance when he was made for me? Why do you confine yourself within the limitations that others have given us? I don’t care what his station is. What he does shouldn’t be the deciding factor in a relationship. Why does his station define his worth? Aren’t you curious about who your mate is? Are you someone who can judge me? Look at yourself. You’ve given yourself to someone who isn’t destined for you!”I slammed my hands on the table and I realized I’d been yelling. I cleared my throat and leaned back in my seat. Removing my hands from the table I sat back and cooled my features.
My sister stared back at me with a snarl on her face.
“You think of things that aren’t possible. We are not people who make the laws of this world. We’re women, we’re destined to obey orders and follow what our father’s plans are for us. We don’t get to run after the fairy tale you’ve told yourself. I don’t have thoughts about my mate. I’m loyal to another. I won’t bother trying to explain loyalty to you. You’ve never had it,” Ava snapped.
The door opened and our conversation ended as the two servants from the kitchen walked out. The boy walked up to me and the girl walked up to Ava with their platters in hand. My food was placed in front of me and I turned and thanked him before they dismissed themselves.
I didn’t bother speaking to my sister. I picked up my fork and dug in, determined to enjoy one thing about this Goddess-forsaken day.