"Well," Ashylnn begin to think about what had been told to her. "I don't really like the idea of my death being wayward over them as a sword. I am not ok with that if that is what brings them along then I am fine with it." She reluctantly agreed.
" We are truly very sorry," Tessa winced and held Ashlynn's hand in hers, " but they are just so guilty about the things that have happened to them they are not ready to think clearly and thinking together is a step very far away."
" Also I would hate to have you watch them fighting all day long." Cassandra added gently. It had been years since she had had Ashley in her family and somehow the girl had managed to become a daughter. So it was natural that it hurt her thinking that there might be a day when she wakes up with the news of Ashlynn passing away.
Ashlynn shook her head. It was frankly over for her already and there was no denying for the news because it was something that happened with everyone. The other half would soon cease to exist and stop communicating with her which would only lead to her downfall.
"I am fine by it," she waved it off, "but how about you tell me this, what makes you think that those two are going to put aside their differences for me?"
Tessa bit her lip and Cassandra had the opportunity to answer the child. "Well, you know since—"
"Since my Alexander died because of them?" Ashylnn laughed, "I'm not the only one who lost someone. There were soldiers that lost a limb and meaning that lost their life. I don't think I get to blame someone for it when we all signed up for this."
"But it hurts," Cassandra whispered while holding her tears back. This topic has certainly become a more taboo topic for them. As long as no one acknowledged in front of her she was fine but as soon as she thought of Alexander to use would immediately come to her eyes at the missing part of her life.
"Of course it does mother I would never deny that." Ashlynn gives her a sad smile of her own, "but the truth is at the end of the day I have to move on until I have it and in the meantime if I can be in use to someone and ready for that as well."
" Oh don't say that!" Tessa shook her head immediately and groaned internally. Is anything they never wanted Ashlynn to think like she was a burden on them or some kind of pawn that they could use as a ploy. They wanted to make sure that Ashlynn would be happy as well. Even though it was expected of her to slightly withdraw from everything for her own sanity they just wanted her to feel better for as long as she was with them.
"I don't think we should talk about it," Cassandra gave up, "it hurts to think about that you will be leaving a soon and no matter what we do about it there can be nothing done so how about we just leave it be and you will enjoy everything that you've ever wanted to do."
"I will mama." Ashylnn stood up and walked to her, kissing her cheek with a loud smooch, and she walked to the door. "Anyway ladies, I better be off. Now that I'm counting my days till the end I will wear every kind of luxurious gown that I can find!" And of she was.
Tessa and Cassandra boat stay at the now closed door.
"I don't know why I think she feels bad." Tessa fidgeted in her seat.
" Well you wanted to tell her," Cassandra scoffed, " what do you expect when you were telling her that you had used her as bait for our children?"
Tessa stood up and walked to the window in the sitting room. "It's so cruel that she knows every day could end with her dropping down at any time of the day. I just felt it would be more cruel if you're using her even though we were thinking of her well being as well . . without her knowledge it just seemed wrong."
Cassandra thought of what to tell. It was not always that the people would never survive after the death of their beloved one but most of the time it was always the children keeping the parent's survival on track. Since Ashlyn and Alexander did not have any children it did not work in the favour and she had now nothing to live by.
" Children are an important factor but they had none." Cassandra shortened it, " it's cruel that happens but it has been happening for centuries and no matter how much we have tried to prevent it, it's . . . Natural." And nature can be very cruel whenever she wants.
*****
The servants walked in their plates where they changed the plates with different courses. The whole room had been quiet the entire time and if anyone was making talk it was Ashlynn, Cassandra and Teresa along with her mate who put in an occasional word of his own.
They all had settled into the main course by now and thankfully everything is alright which is why Cassandra took a step forward.
"Adeline, do you like chicken?" Talking to both of them directly may bring their attention to each other which was certainly wanted to avoid but also had to touch occasionally. "Your aunt informed us that you don't like the chicken dry which is why we make sure that it would be juicy in taste."
"We hunt well my lady," Korr added with a smile, "you would always like the meat served to you. We know the best spices too."
A remark was on the tip of her tongue but she refrained from saying it. Ashylnn was dressed very well and had chosen the theme of the 1920s and for her happiness Adiline decided to hold her tongue back.
"Yes, it's very tasty," she answered out of politeness.
A scoff was heard and every hand in the dining tables stilled, even with the servant it was the same.
"I find it to be quite amusing that you're enjoying the food from a murders house."
Her grip tightened over the silverware that she held in her hands. She practically gritted her teeth against each other to not let a word out and this respect the evening is further than he already had.
"It doesn't matter who made it. It took effort and I appreciate those greatly." She said politely once again.
"Oh?" The young King places cutlery down and repeats in amusement.
"Yes." She hissed out.
"Well—"
"I think the mashed potatoes along with the gravy are great!" Cassandra chriped in, "would anyone like to have some more?"
"Give it to her and let her appreciate all the efforts made for the food. Does it matter if the food was made with the hands bloody?"
A small shudder went down her spine as she immediately imagined a scenario with bloody hands preparing the food. Now everything on her plate seemed inevitable to be eaten even if you wanted to do it out of respect she knew that she could not swallow anything more.
"Do you really have to do this?" She asked and stared at his impassive face.
He shrugged, "you want to appreciate fewer than just giving you more to appreciate. I am sure the cooks would love you to appreciate it."
She didn't comment further and left the chicken alone on a plate and began to eat the mash potatoes with gravy. For now that seemed a more safe option because nothing could turn bloody in making these.
" No chicken?" She stopped the bite midair, "I thought you wanted to appreciate it. You do know my dear that you appreciate it, you must eat it."
She placed the cutlery down forcefully making the sound of a class a ko around the dining room and once again everyone stopped and still completely.
" Are you sure that you are comfortable enough to sit in a chair and eat with a fork and knife?" She spat, " because I'm sure a large metal bowl filled with dog meat can be arranged for you."
His lips pulled back and he snarled at her visibility. "Mind it." He warned.
"It appears that you could have minded a great deal of what was spoken, but did you?" She rebuked back. " You started it while I was enjoying the dinner and told me about blood. Must be something you have fascinated yourself with for a long time!"
" Adeline!" Tessa hissed.
" I suppose three days in jail did not seem enough to you. You wish to spend more and learn more manners?" Xavier grip tightened on his own fork as it bent It into half. "I could very well arrange for you along with the woman that could give you proper etiquette."
" How wonderful a dog wants to talk about etiquettes!"
He growled loudly and immediately every person in the room that belonged to the supernatural community had brought down their heads without a second thought. Submission to someone powerful and dominant came to them naturally and when it was the king there were no second thoughts that there was someone else who might be more powerful than him.
Yet, it was one tiny human that held onto the square of the king and even though he was one of the most dangerous people when angered, she glared back with equal anger in her eyes.
Not once did she back down and not once did she blink. She stared into his eyes with anger of her own as he did and did not bow down as everyone watched in fascination.
In a world where a man and a woman were made for each other, It was not frequent to see the people that led them through hard times and happiness to be at odds. King and queen at odds in front of everyone was a fascinating insight and truly unbelievable and now everyone had had the pleasure to see it.
"If you want then I would like the pressure from us to be removed. Its quite forcefull when someone is it's their dominance on you!" Ashlynn's voice broke it all apart as she shook up.
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