Lady Morgan took a sip of her coffee before fully facing her, ready to explain to her about the 'love festival' she could only smile and pray inwardly for it not to be something weird or than out of her hands or ability. "So, my lovely…love festival is also one amongst our costumes here in Ximpton. It's a way that a woman would show their love to their man through kitchen!" She was grinning from ear to ear but Audrey was dumbstruck, she looked at Acine, the lady was smiling at her mockingly. What would the kitchen have anything to do with expression of one's love?. "Kitchen?" She repeated the word not able to understand, this all was weird to her. "Well a woman has to cook for their man and not just cook but put all their affections to it and hope that their man would like the food prepared for them" Lady Morgan explained further. Veronica chuckled amused by the topic and her naivety.
"Aah" said Audrey as if she truly understood what she was told. So it's cooking? Good heaven! Why cooking? She knew everything about Ximpton is weird to her and all she needed to do was to accept it, she didn't have to raise her hopes for this one too. "But why food? I mean…can't it show already when two people love each other?" She wanted to take Levy and Acine as an example because she was absolutely not a part of this love triangle but she swallowed it. Love through food? She have never heard of such absurd before. "Good question ma lovely, I see it's not just about your beauty, you are smart too" Finally admitted Lady Morgan, Audrey bit the inside of her cheeks smiling awkwardly. Looks like she was the center of the attention today, she liked it as much as she wanted them to stop already. While Acine scoffed inwardly 'Smart my foot!' These parrots have been talking about Audrey since they arrived, ignoring her existence completely, she felt like ripping their big mouths. And Levyndrion was enjoying it silently, making her even angrier.
"Why food? Mmm, because food is what make a man. A man without food is like a walking dead and that's why even when they are back from their work they need a plate to fill their stomach so as to survive another day. Do you know that a woman can tolerate hunger more than a man could? At least that's what our ancestors told us and having food cooked by the woman you love would only increase their appetite. We're not just filling their stomachs but also with our love to their hearts. Love festival is going to straighten relationships to keep it clear" she squeezed her hand at her last words, now at least Audrey got the picture of what they meant, the theory wasn't bad but still she would've preferred a battlefield more than the kitchen. "Don't worry dear, I will guide you" she volunteered after seeing her worrisome face. Adrey gave her a genuine smile, looking at her lively eyes, she must be a very good mother.
But then what? Love festival straighten their relationship? She scoffed inwardly, she doesn't even have that relationship with her husband. She eyed Levy feeling like getting him strangled after recalling what he did last day, he almost choked her to death. Love festival my foot!. She was having a silent debate with herself while putting on a smile for everyone to see. What is there to straighten if there isn't love to start with? Heaven are you mocking me? And another case was cooking! I mean, she was taught how to cook some few dishes before she got married by her mother and Zara, but then there isn't much she knew about cooking because she was never fond of staying in the kitchen her whole life. She was either sneaking out of the castle for a new adventure, having her sword training or then reading her romantic books, aagh! She screamed blaming herself for not giving herself some spare time for the kitchen as well and learn how to cook more.
She can't lose to Acine, never! Just not with her mocking face that she have been giving her this whole time, ever since the topic was brought to the table. Acine's look made her feel like they were about to go on a competition and that she would lose to her. After breakfast, Edward and Veronica never gave her a break, they followed her everywhere asking her millions of questions each. Like how she fought the beasts and survived? How was the days when Levyndrion went to Dillonia in the past? She almost choke and passed out when they asked when did she start falling for their brother. Goodness these two! I've got to be wary of them. Are they spying on me? She held her chest not replying to that question. She has been in love with him since forever, since they were younger. The moment she set her green eyes on those amber eyes of his, she let down all of her walls and raised her hands at him. You might call it love at first sight but then she would never tell them that.
She has never even once disclose her feeling for him or even let it show because she knew it was meaningless. One-sided since they they were younger, and one-sided feelings were always meaningless even for those who are confident enough to approach their crushes only to get rejected. At least they have lifted the heavy loads from their hearts and they were free but for her…she had to ignore them because Levyndrion didn't show any of that kind of affection for her. It was even more meaningless when she heard that he had a woman in his life, she had to bury her feelings for good because Levyndrion was always acting brotherly to her as he claims. Although he acts differently mostly, she knows it isn't love that he felt for her, it could be lust or then he was just fulfilling his duties.
"You two are twins?" She changed the topic, she was curious since this whole time, they both look so much older than her, in fact they could be of her age. "Oh yes…but she came out second so she is my little sister" said Edward to have Veronica roll her eyes, "Oh come on Ed, mama said it was only some few minutes later stop acting so big" she retorted to his brother who was exaggerating whenever this question popped up. Audrey chuckled "Still, a minute later means I'm much older than you" he stuck out his tongue at her. "Oh please drama Queen, spare us from your drama and just go!" Vero was getting pisses by his words, it's weird but he always does. Edward would always brag about coming to the world first and belittle her.
"I was going to" he paused and took Audrey's hand, he kissed her knuckles "I shall take my leave my great Queen" he showed his courtesy. "Oh please go!" Urged Veronica feeling like she was about to vomit. Audrey couldn't hold in her laughter, these two together were so funny "Just Audrey, please" she smiled at him. "I dare not! Maybe lady Audrey, an important person like yourself can't be addressed casually my Queen" he turned and bowed to leave, his long brown hair dancing behind his back. Audrey shook her head, Edward was indeed a drama Queen but she likes him like that. "Please pardon my stupid brother your highness, he is such an annoying being agh!" She gritted her teeth staring at his disappearing back at the end of the corridors.
"It's alright Veronica, I think he is charming and…" "Too dramatic?" Veronica cut her off and they both laughed when Audrey nodded, they walked around the castle. Veronica told her more about the love festival, how it happens, how fun it was. "Back in the days it was only lady Acine who prepared for the festival, she cooked for big brother and believe me, she is a good cook but" she paused, Audrey saw her facial expression changing and became curious "But what?" Veronica sighed "It wasn't fun at all with her, nothing is fun with her. She is just so full of herself and rude, we even had a brawl before can you believe it? I don't know why but I think she is a liar, that sneaky mouse" she said the last sentence in a whisper so that nobody could hear her. Then they both looked around, there was nobody and they ended up laughing again.
Turns out it wasn't just her who despises Acine, she could make a fan club of haters within a castle for Acine at this rate. "But now that you are here. Do you know what doeas that mean?" She asked, her red eyes twinkling. "What?" Audrey shrugged her shoulders "It's a competition Lady Audrey! And a competition means fun! Oh how much fun it is going to be this year! You and lady Acine, oh I can't wait!" She squealed as if it was the most amazing thing, it might be to her but not to Audrey, she forced a smile while cursing inwardly. 'A competition? With that hyena? Great! One more reason to give her a headache. But she doesn't even know much about cooking! Aaah! "To hell with this love festival, I'm not doing it!" She screamed out loud startling Veronica.
Levyndrion was later informed by Fene of a new murder that took place, he came with a report. A female teenager called Ree was brutally killed and was then found in the forest, her body was dry and pale purple, it was like all of her blood was sucked from her body. He was raged about the news, the fact that they can't get their hands on the enemy was making him even more angered and confused. Just who the hell would dare to go against him and kill his people? In his own Kingdom? It is definitely not a normal person who was doing all of this. Not blood sucking vampires either because the victims had no marks left. So then who? Who the hell could it be?.
He would definitely slit their throat if he ever gets his hands on them and hang their heads at the market square for everyone to curse and spit on. How dare they test him like this?. He glared at the golden glass in his hand, his eyes glowed and soon the glass was crushed. His anger could crush anything if he ever runs out of control. Thought Fene, putting the report down after reading it to him.