Chapter 19: Chapter 1.18: The Feast Begins Part 2

Chapter 1.18: The Feast Begins Part 2

The two sat down and spoke some more as the rest arrived. She was impressed by the sheer amount of people that came. Eventually, Charmaine quieted down when the tenth guest came and sat beside her. He was a tall man with warm hazel eyes and burn marks covering his face. He donned a silk shirt and black formal pants. From how similar they looked Leila figured he was her brother. Most of the guests looked like they came in trios or pairs. 

Cleo's parents had gathered a diverse crowd. One trio wore attire that reminded the teenager of characters she'd read about in comics. Their nails were long and their pupils were that of a cat. The pair across from them sat silently and gave off a mature, scholarly vibe. They carried briefcases with them when they came in wearing matching suits. And the strangest of all was a pair of twins, who wore a fur and leather ensemble. She could see that they were sweating heavily under the layers. 

Some of the kitchen staff served drinks and appetizers. Leila, who knew the staff well, thanked them for their hard work and effort. They took the teenager's compliments happily and moved on to the guest. From the top of the table, the teen started to frown as she watched them. The trio of feline-like nobles acted as if they didn't hear the servers speak to them. The professional-looking pair gave them glares that screamed 'get out of my face'. The next pair rudely groaned about how long it was taking.

'They're a bunch of privileged brats,' Leila shoved a cracker with cheese in her mouth. She chewed angrily as she watched the servants finish up. 'Only a third of the people here even looked at them.'  

From across the table, Charmaine glanced at her. She had a look of understanding in her gaze. The buff woman had eagerly accepted the food and asked about what was in it. This calmed the teenager down and she ate more calmly. She was relieved someone had sense in this room. The teenager smiled at the taller woman who blushed. Leila wondered if she had time to tease her for a bit. Sadly, she wasn't able to try as the woman's brother noticed their exchange. He squeezed his sister’s shoulder and she looked away, panicked. 

The two met one another's eyes and Leila was pleasantly surprised by the anger in his. The man must have heard the rumors of her evil ways. He probably thought she was plotting to defile his baby sister. That would be fun but Leila had to make genuine allies soon. Openly manipulating the woman would be pointless. Instead, she decided to fuck with him. She blew a kiss with a little wink following before he could react. The way his face contorted made a vein bulge to the surface. The teenager crossed her arms over her chest, daring him to do something. But they both knew he couldn't or else face her parents' wrath. 

Leila ignored his rage and accepted a cool glass from an eager server. She sipped it and grimaced, it was alcohol. Even in this adult body, she hated the taste of it. She had never been much of a drinker and pushed it to the side. From what she could see everyone but Cleo's parents were seated. She wondered if they were with Alek. The man had been refusing to eat for days. Anytime a maid tried to enter his room he'd scream at them to leave. She knew he had to be filthy and dehydrated by now. Her stomach twisted at the thought and she sighed. 

It was difficult to decipher her guilt towards him. She was fine with him being broken down mentally, spiritually, and physically. To know he submitted to her will was thrilling. But she hated the idea that he was lying in his filth half dead. It left her no satisfaction. She had thought she'd be overjoyed seeing him that way. It instead left her with an unsettling feeling in her stomach. Leila knew that she'd have to see Alek again. And she needed those doubts sorted out by then. 

A guard she recognized cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. He stood tall and proud as he began to speak. "I would like to introduce everyone to this meeting's leaders. Please stand." 

Everyone stood up, pushed their seats back, and stared at the room's entrance. The guard one door opened with a female guard opening the other. Once they moved out of the way, Leila was able to see her parents. And their appearance took the teenager's breath away. They walked arm in arm with confidence radiating off of them. Her mother wore a seaweed green v-neck gown with tall stilettos. The outfit complimented her father's golden suit and powerful gaze that drilled into her. Both greeted their guests with a nod and a smile. They stopped in front of her. Her father told everyone to be seated beside her. 

The teenager was enveloped in a warm, tight hug by the man. She could feel everyone's eyes on her as his arms wrapped around her body. They had all heard of how Cleo ran away to find herself years prior. This display of open affection showed there were no hard feelings. The man let go and patted her shoulder softly. When he left to sit her mother stood before her. They faced one another silently with the air tense. A small smile appeared on the woman's face as she grabbed one of Leila's hands. She just held it, her touch unwelcome compared to the man's hug. Leila could see Charmaine's brother gazing at them. She glared. 

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"Thank you for coming everyone," Her mother spoke with a voice that demanded respect. The teenager simmered while the woman continued. "I hope you've taken the time to meet my daughter."

"She hasn't attended an event like this before. So I ask you to keep that in mind when speaking of her." The venom that slipped from her tongue sent Chills down Leila’s spine. The woman looked pleased with the noticeably pale guests who hurried to look away.

The matriarch was pleased as she let her hand go. She walked away to sit beside her husband with her threat lingering in the air. The display of authority put everyone, scared or not, in their place. Leila sat down and tried to calm her beating heart. It was like the woman's touch had sent electric shocks through her body. She didn't know if this feeling was from amazement or anxiety. She bit her lip and decided that it was a mixture of both. From the corner of her eye could see everyone's faces. The teenager pitied the guests who looked terrified and confused. They had gotten involved with a woman who had no qualms with murder and destruction. 

Her father put his hand over his wife's and interrupted the tense environment. The low timber of his voice echoed throughout the room, consuming it. "My daughter will not be an active participant in today's banquet. She's here to simply observe while she helps from her recent mistreatment." 

A woman with kinky golden brown hair raised her hand. She was the only one who came alone. The woman had sat in the middle of the table and played with her food. Only now she appeared to engage with the other occupants of the room. Once she saw she had permission to speak, she sat up straighter and spoke. 

"Sir, I am a representative of the Fontaine household. We work with young women who seek higher education and shelter from abusive partners," The woman looked worried she offended the man. His warm gaze made her let out a breath she had been holding in. "I want to pledge my family’s aid to your daughter."

Her attention was directed at Leila who was listening eagerly. She wanted to know what exactly the woman thought of her. "We have heard about your abuse from the crown prince and we do not support it.  Ma'am, my mother and I wish to pledge our allegiance to your side if you ever wish to seek help." 

"Why?" The teenager didn't think anyone would be so bold. What the woman just said could be construed as an act of rebellion against the royal family. Her entire household could face imprisonment if a loyalist told the king. 

The woman's hand clenched into a fist as she continued. Her voice which had previously been submissive became inflamed with raw emotion. "You served the crown prince and he abused you like a slave. The royal family has no respect for the women who built their kingdom from the ground up. It sickens me." 

"I have to agree," Leila said and looked over to her father who had been silent. "If my father allows it, I will accept your allegiance gratefully."

She needed the noble on her side. An alliance with the Fontaines could broaden her outreach. People would see her as a helpless victim. It was going to be difficult to forgo her cruel persona but it was a sacrifice she had to make. Sure she could intimate enemies with ease and gain power with her ruthlessness. But if she wanted to have power and influence long term she needed to be sympathetic. Women around the country had to feel bad for her and see themselves in her past. They had to want justice for how she was treated. Only then would she get genuine respect from the masses, not fear. 

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