The Adopted Princess Hopes to Escape the Genre - Chapter 41
I glanced around as I took my seat, subtly checking the expressions of those present.
Duke Delphinium remained as expressionless as ever. Theodore, Lucian, and Kaiden also seemed their usual selves. Although, on second thought, they all looked slightly more displeased than usual.
In contrast, Rashid was beaming, clearly pleased with himself.
And then there was Lucian… the way he looked at Rashid was downright terrifying.
When our eyes met, it felt like he was trying to convey something, but I couldn’t decipher what. The only thing I understood was that his sharp, piercing gaze was too intimidating, so I quickly looked away.
My gaze landed on Duke Baccharis.
He alternated glances between Rashid and me before narrowing his brows in thought. Then, after a brief moment, he gave a small nod as if he had made some sort of decision.
Maybe it was because we had only just met, or maybe it was because his expression barely changed, but it was impossible to tell what he was thinking.
As my eyes continued scanning the table, I noticed something odd.
Despite the delicious feast spread before us, no one was making a move to start eating. Each person seemed lost in their own thoughts, forgetting the meal entirely.
‘What is this? Are we holding a memorial service or something?’
No one in the dining hall seemed inclined to pick up their utensils. My older brothers, for some reason, were keeping a wary eye on Rashid.
After gauging the atmosphere, I eventually decided to break the silence.
“How about we start eating before the food gets cold?”
At my words, the tension in the room visibly eased.
“If everyone is hungry, go ahead and eat,” Duke Delphinium said.
With that, the uncomfortable and awkward dinner began.
Since meat is always the best way to start, I aimed for the steak piled in the center of the table. But my arms were too short, and my fork couldn’t even reach the meat.
Noticing my struggle, Rashid picked up a piece and placed it on my plate.
“Oh, thanks.”
Wasting no time, I speared the steak with my fork and popped it into my mouth. As expected, the meat was incredibly tender, melting effortlessly on my tongue.
After swallowing, I set my sights on my next target: the shrimp.
I reached out again, only for a neatly peeled shrimp to be placed on my plate before my fork even made contact.
Turning my head, I saw it was, of course, Rashid.
His excessive consideration caught me off guard. I silently questioned him with my eyes, but he only returned an innocent gaze.
Once or twice, I could understand. Maybe this was some noble dining etiquette I wasn’t aware of. I brushed it off, assuming there was no deeper meaning.
But my assumption was wrong.
Every time I reached for something, Rashid was faster, filling my plate with food before I could serve myself.
‘Why is he going so overboard?’
“…Thanks.”
Of course, I couldn’t say what I was really thinking.
And then it happened.
Crunch-, screech-, crack-.
At the strange sounds, I lifted my head and found myself staring at a bizarre scene.
The fork Theodore was holding had bent into three jagged prongs, Lucian’s knife was bent at an odd angle, and the plate in Kaiden’s hand had cracked.
The three men before me had suddenly decided to show off their strength.
‘What the…?’
My pupils practically danced in disbelief at the unexpected spectacle.
A brief silence followed as the atmosphere grew cold.
Soon, the maids rushed in to replace the broken dishes and utensils, and I quickly averted my gaze, fearing I might get dragged into whatever was happening.
Determined not to make eye contact with anyone, I fixed my stare on my plate and continued eating.
The head chef must be quite skilled. Everything I ate melted in my mouth.
After eating nothing but dry sandwiches for so long, getting to enjoy so much meat put me in a fantastic mood.
Swinging my legs beneath the table, I happily chewed on my food. That is until I suddenly realized that everyone was staring at me.
Duke Delphinium, in particular, had an expression so strange that I couldn’t tell whether he was smiling or on the verge of tears.
Did I do something wrong?
I rolled my eyes around in confusion, trying to figure out the answer.
Finding none, I finally set my fork down and asked,
“Is there something on my face?”
It was my way of saying, ‘Why are you all staring at me instead of eating?’
“It’s nothing. There’s plenty of food, so eat as much as you’d like. It’s good to see you enjoying your meal.”
With that, Duke Delphinium ordered the butler to bring out more food.
“Yes.”
I replied absentmindedly and was about to resume eating when Duke Baccharis suddenly spoke.
“Do you remember the agreement our wives made? The prenatal betrothal.”
For someone who had kept his mouth shut until now, it was quite a shocking topic to bring up.
And the moment he finished speaking, my brothers’ faces hardened.
