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With that, my servant bows once more and departs the room. Glancing at the clock, I have just enough time to get dressed for what’ll undoubtedly be a dreadful meal.
After slipping into more formal attire, I head down to the dining hall, getting a sense of deja vu as I enter the room. As we each get settled into our seats, I pray silently to the gods to grant me the strength I need to get through this.
“Zalith,” calls my future wife from across the table. I peer up at her, watching in confusion as she bats her eyes at me as though completely infatuated with my presence. She’s an even worse actor than me.
“Yes, Vippera?”
“I was thinking about where we may journey for our honeymoon. You know, after we complete the wedding ceremony.”
“You certainly like planning ahead, don’t you?”
Her eyes flicker, seemingly caught off guard by my quick comment.
“Oh, I just like to think things through far ahead in advance,” she says, feigning a giggle.
“Ah, but it’s best to live in the moment.”
“Right,” she mutters, her tone changing to one of mild annoyance. “Well, I guess we’ll save the discussion for another time.”
“Yes.”
She drops her utensil on the plate with a loud clatter, causing everyone to look her way. The glare on her face yesterday, in retrospect, was friendly and welcoming compared to the one she has on right now.
I hide a smirk, seeing that I barely need to even try in order for her to get angry.I wonder if she’ll snap in front of everyone here.
“Zalith,” says my father. “Have you given any thought since yesterday evening as to what you wish to do for the wedding ceremony?”
From the corner of my eye, I spot an eager Vippera waiting for my answer. I glance nonchalantly at my father, ensuring my face shows I couldn’t be any more unenthusiastic about the event.
“No. Just something straight-forward.”
Even if I wanted to feign interest, my mind won’t let me. I’m too occupied with thoughts of Aurora.
“Zalith,” snaps Vippera, a hint of her anger coming through as she speaks through her teeth. She clears her throat and shifts in her seat. “This is going to be a big occasion for us both. Surely you must have something in mind.”
“Hmm,” I mutter. “No, I’ll leave that all up to you.”
Vippera slams her hand down on the table, in the same fashion that she did on my desk earlier. I remain unphased, but everyone else turns in fright toward her, the room suddenly filled with a sickening tension.
“Darling,” says King Tikzorcu. “What seems to be the matter?”
“You know what?” She sighs, her frown turning into a faint smile. “It’s nothing. How about another drink?”
She clicks her thumb, motioning a servant forward who holds in his hand a uniquely shaped bottle. “Come hither and serve my love some wine. Zalith, I brought something special for you to try, it’s a special blend all the way from Jalma.”
Hell, I might as well. I probably need some alcohol to get through the rest of the night.
“How kind of you,” says my mother.
“Yes, it’s the most expensive one Jalma produces, thanks to its vintage quality.”
Big deal, wine is wine.
The servant approaches me and places down an empty glass. He removes the cork and raises the bottle in the air for all to see, as though it’s a special trophy of some kind. He then leans forward, pouring the rich blue liquid into the glass and filling it halfway.
I pull it closer, then look around at everyone, noticing it’s only me having the drink.
“Will no one else indulge with me?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
