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Marjorie assured me this was a casual breakfast, but I still felt out of place as she led me to the multi-tier balcony jutting out over the sea. The view was stunning as I walked a few stairs to the upper level. It was absolutely breathtaking; the way the morning sun hit the water. In the distance, I could see a fleet of boats, their sails marked with the royal insignia of Osavian—a black dragon silhouette over a white moon. The sound of seagulls and waves crashing created the most bewitching melody.
At the top of the steps, a table had already been set for breakfast, and seated around the table were my parents, Cyrus and Sophia. I ignored the feeling of relief that Ladon wasn’t present, and we wouldn’t have to talk about my eavesdropping the previous night.
It only took one look from my mother to know she was judging my attire. I couldn’t find it in me to care. Tomorrow she would return home and I’d finally be free of her criticism.
“Good morning, Emilie.” Cyrus pulled a chair out for me to sit beside him. “Hope you’re hungry. The chefs outdid themselves with this feast.”
It was a feast like I’d never seen before. Trays of fruit, toast, meats, muffins, and other items accompanied a centerpiece of fresh flowers from the gardens. I even spotted the jam-filled pastries that Marjorie had brought to my room that morning.
“How did you sleep?” Sophia asked politely.
“Very well, didn’t we, dear?” my mother responded, patting my father’s forearm. Sophia was likely asking me, but my mother, as usual, was so eager to be the center of attention. It was too early to fight with her, so I allowed her to engage in all the small talk while I filled my plate with fruit and more of those flaky pastries.
Sophia sipped from a glass flute, and I was curious about what she had inside it. She caught me eyeing it and waved over at the server. “How rude of me. Could you bring Miss Emilie a drink as well?”
The server placed a glass in front of me, and I tasted the bubbly beverage. It was fruity with a little bite.
“Do you like it?” Sophia asked. “It’s pomegranate and sparkling wine.”
“I love it,” I answered truthfully. I liked Osavian more and more. And I could tell Sophia was going to be a more tolerable mother than my own ever was.
“It's a little early to be drinking, isn’t it?”
I rolled my eyes at my mother’s tone, but thankfully she was looking toward Cyrus. His approval was the only one that mattered to her.
He shook his head gently. “I find that sparkling wine is appropriate for all hours of the day.”
“And he wouldn’t dare tell his mother what she can or cannot do,” Sophia added.
Cyrus smiled, and I liked the sight of it. It was warm and friendly, and although we hardly knew each other, somehow it felt familiar. A server placed a glass in front of him as well, and the three of us raised our glasses in a toast.
I knew my mother had to be reeling next to me, but she bit her tongue.
We passed around trays and loaded our plates with a second serving of all the Osavian delicacies. I couldn’t tell if this was a normal breakfast here in Renoa or if they’d brought out the best just to impress us.
Either way, I was impressed.
A servant filled my glass a second time while I listened to Cyrus and my father discuss politics. Meanwhile, my mother and Sophia talked about the upcoming wedding and I couldn’t decide which conversation was the least appealing. All I wanted to do was get out and explore the city. Just as a servant was about to fill my glass for a third time, I heard someone climbing the steps to join us.
“Sorry I’m late. There was a bit of a situation with the northern outpost that I had to take care of,” Ladon said.
He glanced right over me without making eye contact. I didn’t know if I was mad at his indifference or relieved. As he stepped closer, I realized I’d been holding my breath from the moment I’d first caught sight of him.
“Is everything okay?” Cyrus asked.
“Nothing to worry about. We can catch up later.” Ladon surveyed the remaining food. “Right now it’s time to eat and enjoy each other’s company.”
He smiled, but it was unlike Cyrus’s. There was an echo of arrogance there. A dangerous coolness that had me sipping from my glass once again just to feel some relief over my heated body.
“I’m afraid I’ll have to leave you. I have errands to run in town, and I’ve got an appointment with the seamstress in an hour. How did it get to be so late?” Sophia carried on as she stood from her chair. “Here, you can have my seat, Ladon.”
Sophia placed a soft kiss on her youngest son’s cheek and he accepted it politely before sitting down in her now unoccupied seat.
It took all my effort to avoid his gaze now that he sat directly across from me. I started to sip from my glass before realizing I'd drained it. Three glasses of wine before noon. My mother would be so proud.
Speaking of my mother, she stood and grabbed my father by the arm. “We need to be going too, Misha. I planned a full day of activities while we’re in town. We’ll see you later tonight, honey.”
They walked away and I could still hear her going on about dresses, shoes, and bags. All the finer things in life that she could never get her hands on in Dreslen.
