The Hawthorne family dinner ca sooner than expected. Just as Matteo promised, he had taken care of the logistics. Sohow, he had managed to procure yet another stunning evening gown in Alia’s size, this ti in a gentle shade of rose quartz, along with complintary earrings to match her mother’s necklace.
"You look stunning," Matteo said, barely able to keep the smile off his face as he held out an arm for Alia to take.
He had spent the entire car ride over trying to work up the courage to complint her, and now that it had left his lips, his shoulders finally relaxed seeing Alia smile.
"Thank you," she said. A small blush blood across her cheeks, barely covered by the thin layer of makeup she wore.
Alia took his arm, and they stepped into the Hawthorne estate. This ti, there was no one who dared to stop her. The servants erged and bowed low to Matteo, and bowed even lower to Alia.
The true princess was back, after all, and Horace Hawthorne had made sure that everyone present had been briefed on this.
"Alia!"
Horace was the first to greet them, coming down from the winding staircase of the large estate. He had a walking stick in hand, but by the speed at which he quickly descended the stairs, it was evident that the stick was more for an accessory than for support.
He made his way over just as Alia did, and when they t halfway, Horace warmly embraced her. Alia’s entire body stiffened, but she allowed herself to be hugged, patting the old man’s back softly just so that it wouldn’t be too one-sided.
When Horace finally pulled away, he still smiled at her, gently holding onto her arms.
"I hope we’re not too late, Ho― Grandpa," Alia said, catching herself before the slip of tongue could fully erge.
She was never going to get used to this.
For the longest ti, all the family she had was her father and mother. Then, she had a husband, but Caleb Walton didn’t stay for long. Now that he was gone, she had an entire family and a new husband-to-be. If soone had told this to Alia just years prior, she would’ve laughed straight in their faces.
"Not at all," Horace said. "Dinner has just been prepared. I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I had to ask Matteo here about your preferences. Hopefully, it’s to your liking." There was a knowing glint in Horace’s eyes, and when he turned to greet Matteo, he simply nodded.
"Good evening, Mr. Hawthorne," Matteo said, nodding his head as well.
Horace waved it off. "You will be family soon," he said. "You may call ’Grandfather’ as well."
"Very well, then, Grandfather," Matteo said. Contrary to Alia, he made the switch fairly easily.
"Isn’t it sweet?" Horace cooed to Alia, turning to lead her to the dining hall while Matteo trailed behind them like a house pet. "Young Matteo here refused to call ’Grandfather’ for the longest ti while he was engaged to Emline," he said. "I finally understand why. It is good that he is so dedicated to you, Alia."
His gaze then darkened as he stared ahead for a short mont.
"Unlike that Walton boy."
Alia stilled at the ntion of Caleb. She looked at Horace, but instead of the stormy gaze, he had already rectified his expression. He gestured to the seat right next to him at the head of the table. No one else was present yet, and the maids were still setting the dinner plates.
"Please have a seat," Horace said, gesturing to his left. "Your aunt and uncle will be down shortly."
Alia nodded and made her way to the seat that Horace had gestured to. Matteo went ahead, helping to pull out her seat before sitting down himself. It didn’t take long before the rest of the Hawthornes arrived.
For the first ti since the engagent party, Alia’s gaze collided with that of Emline Hawthorne’s, her supposed younger cousin. She had arrived at the dining room hand-in-hand with her mother, dressed in a beautiful pale yellow knee-length dress. As she spoke with her mother, Emline wore a bright smile, and when she saw Matteo, that smile rely brightened.
"Matteo!" Emline gasped in surprise, quickening her steps to the dinner table, but the mont she turned her head and realized that Alia was there, that smile instantly vanished.
"You are late," Horace sternly said, his tone no longer as soft as when he was greeting Alia and Matteo earlier.
"It’s just a family dinner, Dad," Annalise said, waving the matter off with a shrug. Her eyes then fell onto Alia. It was hard not to notice the way they scanned her up and down with contempt.
"It is Alia’s first dinner with us," Horace corrected. He then turned to Alia and gestured to the three of them. "I believe you have already t. That is Annalise, Emline’s mother. Behind her is your uncle, Benjamin Hawthorne, Emline’s father." His smile then turned a little sad. "My son, Elaine’s younger brother."
Benjamin Hawthorne had an icy-cold look. He glanced silently at Alia and briefly nodded his head, offering her no other form of acknowledgnt. If it weren’t for the fact that Horace was here, Alia doubted he would even give her the ti of day.
Not that she cared.
However, just to be polite, she still nodded at the three people who looked like they would rather be anywhere but here.
"Co sit," Horace instructed, clapping his hands together once before gesturing to the chairs. Benjamin dutifully followed his father’s instructions.
"Sit?" Annalise suddenly said as Benjamin took his usual seat at Horace’s right. "Where are we supposed to sit?"
She then made her way over to Alia, tapping on the backrest of her chair callously.
"Get up," she barked. "You’ve just returned to the Hawthorne family so there are rules that you might not know, but every mber of the family has a designated spot. You, young miss, are in the wrong seat."
With that said, she tugged hard, causing the legs of the chair to scrape against the polished wooden floors. Alia lurched, her hand slamming hard on the table due to the sudden montum, trying to steady herself while Matteo reached forward to hold her steady. Annalise, however, didn’t care.
"This is Emline’s seat," Annalise continued, hissing. "Move."
Reviews
All reviews (0)