Chapter 14: Family Dinner

                                    

                                          
Although, the atmosphere at the Dining hall was a bit awkward. The luxurious food that was all placed on the table didn't fail to amuse me. 17 years had passed since the last time I saw this type of food, let's say that I have a bit of talent in cooking, but I can't really par with this type of delicacies.
                          
Unfortunately, I have to keep up with my manners and etiquette, which only means that I could not just dig in with those delicious foods.
                          
Our sitting arrangement was not really hard to guess. As usual, the head of the manor was sitting on the edge of the table, and since it was a dinner that was only made for the Marquiss and his children, both of me and Gabriel are sitting beside our Father.
                          
I glanced at my brother, I tried to hide my grin when I saw how formal-looking he is right now. In fact, his clothes were kinda similar to our father, which made them looks like a twin. It was an unusual sight, although every type of clothing would fit on my brother, this one was the best for him.
                          
Gabriel noticed that I was looking at him. He only rolled his eyes, since neither of us can't act vulgar in this place. "Sister, your dress looks good on you" my brother suddenly said. Every people in the dining room glanced at my brother. I can sense the mischief in his tone.
                          
I squinted my eyes on him. What are you doing, little twerp?
                          
"It was indeed a lovely sight" Nico replied. "Won't you agree my lord?" 
                          
"Indeed" Father replied to Nico. 
                          
A smirk appeared on Gabriel's face when Nico started to speak again.
                          
"When Lady Gabriella was just a child, she would often wear cute dresses which made her look like a doll." Nico started to speak. "But now, look at the lady. Her beauty can now surpass a goddess, she really looks lovely with her dress"
                          
What the hell? Why are you bringing that up?
                          
"Your statement is exaggerated, Nico" I replied in a calm tone, but deep inside  I wanted to smack his face. Elegant butler? Pwe! Obviously, He was planning a conspiracy with my little brother. 
                          
Father remained silent, but on his face, there was a little smile while he was looking at us.
                          
"Exaggerated? Sister, how could you deny your beauty in front of our father?" Gabriel spoke. "My sister is the prettiest of all. I didn't know that living in the countryside would lessen your confidence in yourself" 
                          
My brother took a glass of water. He elegantly swirls it as if there was wine on it. Gabriel only smiled at me, he surely knows how to annoy me, but bringing up the 'countryside' word made me stop.
                          
Did he just use me to execute his approach?
                          
"Countryside?" Father suddenly asked. Even Nico was surprised.
                          
Gabriel did not bother to speak anymore. He only took a sip on his glass as he slowly puts it on the table. "Sister Gabriella should wear beautiful dresses more often" Little brother glanced at the servants who are present in the dining hall. "Won't you agree?"
                          
Nico bends his body to whisper something in my father's ears. I noticed that the marquis nodded his head while giving a glance at my brother. "Indeed, son. I will ask the best designer in our kingdom to make my daughter a lot of beautiful dresses"
                          
My face became dumbfounded, but as my father and Gabriel continued to converse. Nico on the other hand started to signal the servants to come out of the dining hall. They followed what Nico told them to do. Leaving Me, Gabriel, Our butler, and The Marquis in the dining room.
                          
What's happening?
                          
Silence suddenly covered the room. Although I am kinda oblivious of Gabriel's little approach to our father. I am certain that this is the start of the conversation. Just don't mind that little twerp, he is sometimes like this, I'll just let him carry the conversation and I will just watch.
                          
"What's your agenda?" Father asked Gabriel in a calm tone. The atmosphere of the dining room became serious. 
                          
When Gabriel was about to answer...
                          
GRRRR
                          
A loud growl coming from my stomach suddenly interrupted him. My eyes went wide and my face suddenly flushed in red. I simply covered my face with my right hand, hoping that they won't notice my embarrassment.
                          
"Pffft" I immediately glared my eyes on my brother. I noticed that he was trying to hide his laughter. I suddenly feel the urge to jump on him and choke that peerless neck of him. 
                          
Damn you! Rascal!
                          
Just what the f*ck is this embarrassment?
                          
"Pffft-M-my pfft My Lady" Even Nico was trying to hold his laughter. "My Lord-pfft" Nico tried to calm himself. "My Lord, I guess we should let your children eat first, especially Lady Gabriella"
                          
Nico received a death glare from me. I guess my father is the only normal person in this room. 
                          
That was a lie, of course.
                          
A loud laugh coming from my father echoed in the room. "My daughter's stomach never changed at all" Father suddenly said. My brother was biting his lips when he heard that.
                          
Damn! I want to disappear right now!
                          
Instead of letting them to ridicule me, I just took the spoon on the table as I started to eat. Manners? Etiquette? Are they even doing those things?! Let them laugh! I hope that these three bastard chokes to death!
                          
I glared at the little twerp who is secretly laughing at me. I slowly pointed my finger at him. "I will make sure that Maria will ignore you for a week," I said in my serious tone. Gabriel stopped laughing, his eyes went wide which made him silent.
                          
"Who's Maria?" Father asked me.
                          
I ignored my father as I continued to eat. Gabriel who received my warning was silent like an obedient puppy. I raised my brows at him.
                          
"Cat got your tongue? Little rascal?" I asked as I stabbed the meat on my plate.
                          
"My lady, Your words-"
                          
"Nico, do you still remember when I was around 7 to 8 years old?" A creepy smile appeared on my face. "When I confessed that you're my--"
                          
"My Lady! Was the food to your liking?" Nico suddenly interrupted me.
                          
That's right butler, be obedient, or else father will strangle your neck if he finds out that his daughter confessed to you when she was just a child. You don't want that to happen right? 
                          
"Fortunately, Yes," I said as I wipe my mouth with the table napkin. "Father," I said in a sweet tone. "Do you want to receive a good news from your Gluttony daughter?" I noticed that my father flinched when I called him. 
                          
Serious revelations? Using me as an approach? Formal dinners? What are those? Can I eat that?
                          
F*ck that off, you seriously made me annoyed.
                          
"Congrats you are a grandfather now"