4 - DINNER OF THE CENTURY

Song for Chapter: GOD With Us, Terrian

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There is no shadow HIS Light can't permeate...

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THIRD PERSON POV

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"He completed his law degree at a young age," Clarice arranged the family's dinner on a meal cart. Her meals are always top-notch—probably would give Remy in Ratatouille competition.

"So, he often steps in to train Royals into becoming potential leaders and one day, perhaps, King Makers."

Finally set, Clarice got ready to push the cart. She was going to wheel it into the dining area.

"Really?"

"I guess you were allowed into R-AP History because you are related to Prince Tal and live in this house, I guess," she shrugged.

Violet had learned that the R in R-AP History stood for Royal. And she had learned it not soon enough.

"I see," she had wondered why she had been placed there with no one knowing she was the sister of Tal.

"And, the Signora (Madam) asked that you join them for dinner tonight. They might ask you to do so often, but, let's wait and see."

Great, just great.

"Oh, and, Prince Vincenzo often likes his meals delivered in his living quarters. You are assigned that task now," Clarice's voice made no room for argument.

Can things get much worse than this?

She felt her heartbeat speed rapidly beyond normal and her palms become sweaty. But, she took in a deep breath and willed her heart to slow its pace.

It can't be that hard, right?

~~~

After quickly changing out of her apron, Violet changed into a suitable dress—a floral print tan high waist dress. It was not fancy, but at least, it was presentable; after all, she was going to be dining with royals.

Well, they probably wouldn't care if I wore a bean bag. I guess will save that one for later, she mused with a smile.

~~~

Spying the people at the table as she neared the opulent dining hall, she felt like the young David about to face her Goliath, no, that was an exaggeration. But, it came close.

She could not deny—the dining area was exquisite. Clarice had mentioned they had two dining halls, one intimate and the other larger and grandiose.

I presume this is the intimate one, but it sure is fancy.

Feeling the presence of her LORD with her, she once again strengthened her resolve to be brave and cheerful—despite her circumstances.

She gradually inched forward and was met with new faces. One was stern, and the other seemed as hostile as when he had bumped into her earlier that day.

There was also a younger girl who looked at her with earnest curiosity and a twinkle in her beautiful eyes.

"You're late," The stern-faced lady asked, her tone serious and a glass of wine in her hand. "Didn't the maid tell you the rules for eating here?"

"Oh, Uhm..." Violet started, but a voice interrupted her.

"Now, Ginevra," a woman entered through another entry point. She was regal enough to not need a crown on her head before one could tell her status—she was the mother of the younger royals. And she was stunning.

"This is her first day here. And besides, I'm also late, am I not?"

She turned to face Violet, a warmth in her eyes—and something else right underneath that one would easily miss.

"You must be Violet," she went over to greet her, surprising her by shaking her hand and exchanging three kisses on her cheeks.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm sorry I couldn't meet and greet you properly when you arrived. I was out of town attending to certain affairs."

So, this is Queen Giulia Sofia Ferrari.

"No worries, ma'am. It's a pleasure to meet you too," Violet beamed.

The kindness in the woman's eyes and the warmth in her gestures made her feel slightly at ease despite the comment she had been greeted with and what she had felt in her spirit about her environment.

But, she could not help but wonder how hard Queen Giulia had to try to show such warmth.

When Violet had walked in, she had felt the sense of pain and despondency present in their midst. If not for the Presence of her LORD beside her, she knew the forces of darkness at work in the Villa would have swallowed her whole.

"May we eat now?" Alessandro's hostile voice interrupted their introduction.

"Come on now, Alessandro. You talk like you've been starving for ages," Giulia chuckled slightly and gestured Violet to her seat.

"Maybe, I have," he replied with nonchalance, a phone in his hand.

"I think we should introduce ourselves beforehand, don't you think Mom?" The younger girl suggested gleefully whilst her brother, Alessandro sighed and murmured something under his breath tapping away on his phone.

"I'll go first," she grinned eagerly and began by first pointing to herself. "I'm Isabella. This is my Mom, who just greeted you. And this is Ginevra, my older sister."

Isabella turned to face her brother who was seated in between her and Ginevra.

"And this," she paused with a dramatic effect. "Is Alessandro—the grumpy one."

"Hey!" Her brother gave her a side glare.

"Don't mind him," she said teasingly. "He always acts that way."

Violet noticed they had sat in order, according to their ages—from the look of things. She also became aware that one seat at the head of the table was empty.

That has to be Vincenzo's.

Putting a check on her thoughts, she went on to introduce herself.

"It is wonderful to meet you all. I am Violet," she managed a smile.

Alessandro muttered another statement she couldn't decipher.

This is going to be hard.

She decided to put it all away and made sure her smile was still intact.

Be cheerful Violet, as Tal has said.

"Thanks for having me," she concluded.

"Of course!" Isabella exclaimed in her cheerful voice. "I'm glad to have another person around."

"What are the rest of us? Aliens?" Alessandro countered.

"You know I did not mean it that way. I—"

"I think we can start eating now?" Ginevra uttered in a tone of indifference, the glass of wine still in her hand, twirling it around in a circle. She had remained silent after her first comment and looked like she was used to the bickering of younger siblings—and bored.

"Starting early with the wine, Ginevra?," Queen Giulia sighed. "Let's just begin."

As the others readily dug into their meals, Queen Giulia noticed that Violet looked puzzled and hadn't touched her plate.

"Everything alright, dear?"

"Oh, so sorry..." Violet straightened and turned to face her, giving a little smile. "I just thought we would say a word of Prayer before commencing..."

"Oh!" Isabella said dropping her fork, her pretty lips forming a little round 'o'. Her bright eyes filled with an unknown emotion. "We haven't done that since..."

"That's a good idea," her mother interrupted setting her cutlery aside. "Let us pray."

She smiled at Violet, but Violet could detect a slight difference between that smile and her afore welcoming smile.

Ginevra turned her face away, whilst Alessandro stared at her blankly.

What family drama have I walked into?

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Hi, fam!!!

By GOD'S Grace, another chapter is up! Kindly drop your thoughts on it. It will be much appreciated.

And kindly do listen to the song mentioned above... if you want... or not... or... anyway.