The longer Belle interacted with Penny, the more uncertain she felt about whether she was glad to et Penny here. On one hand, Belle was thankful to have t Penny and genuinely liked her; Penny was easy to talk to, and she seed like soone who wore her heart on her sleeve. But on the other hand, Belle worried that if Penny was here, it might only be a matter of ti before Penny saw just what kind of family she had married into.
’But I guess if she listens, she’ll be fine,’Belle told herself. ’If she’s from a distant branch of the family, then she won’t be affected too much by all the family conflicts.’
That thought eased Belle’s heart a little. After all, all she could do for Penny was to tell her what she needed to know and give her so warnings. Just as Penny couldn’t help Belle’s situation, Belle couldn’t do more than this for Penny.
"I’m heading in," Belle announced, smiling broadly as if all her initial worries had faded. "Are you coming with ?"
"Uhm... can I?"
"Why are you asking that?"
"I thought, since I was helping in the kitchen, I should also help with serving the food." Penny gazed down at her dress bitterly, almost on the verge of tears. "Lily’s gonna kill if she hears this is what I’m doing here."
Belle raised an eyebrow. "Who’s Lily?"
"My friend." Penny sighed. "I asked her to help with my dress and makeup because I wanted to put in so effort tonight. She really believes in ."
"Oh." Belle chuckled, nodding in understanding. "You’ll get used to it."
Penny’s expression soured. "Sister Belle, aren’t you going to tell why I should help in the kitchen? I’m part of this family!"
"So is everyone in the kitchen," Belle chuckled, gripping the armrest to push herself up. "I understand that it’s a little surprising, but it’s part of the family tradition. During gatherings or any family events, mbers from the lower branches help in the kitchen as a display of their subservience."
Once back on her feet, Belle cast Penny a sympathetic smile. "I know it’s strange, but it’s been part of the family tradition for generations. Most people who marry into the family end up doing this."
"Every ti?"
"Yes, every ti."
"Ohhh."
Belle chuckled, watching Penny’s expression shift as she processed the situation. "I’m sorry."
"Why are you sorry? It’s not like you’re the one who started this weird tradition." Penny smiled, standing up as well. "Co on, let help you get inside."
"It’s okay. I should be the one helping you back to the kitchen. Co on, I’ll walk you there."
"No, no, it’s okay!" Penny waved her hands frantically. "How can I let you do that? That baby shouldn’t be doing that."
"My pregnancy isn’t sensitive."
"Even so, I can’t let you do that," Penny said firmly, smiling. "Don’t worry about . I’ll walk you back in case those cousins try to ambush you again."
’Those witches,’Penny thought to herself, annoyed at the thought of those won who would ruthlessly throw a stiletto at a pregnant lady.
Belle’s eyes shone with appreciation, and she smiled gratefully at Penny. "Okay, then. I won’t insist. Thank you."
"Hehe. Just thank once," Penny teased as she offered her arm for Belle to hold on to.
Belle laughed at Penny’s remark, holding back from thanking her again so as not to make her uncomfortable. With that, Belle took Penny’s arm, and they walked back toward where Belle had co from.
Once they stepped into the open hallway, Belle noticed that most people who had been there earlier had gone inside, likely to the event. This left the hallway mostly empty, giving Penny and Belle more freedom and space.
"Is it starting now?" Penny wondered aloud. "There were a lot of people here earlier."
Belle smiled. "The head of the family probably arrived. If not him, then soone else important must have, and everyone went to curry favor."
"Our relatives only pay attention to the head of the family?"
"If only that were the case, it would be nice."
"Huh?"
"Well, the head of the family has authority, but he’s not the only one who holds significant power," Belle explained as simply as she could. "As I ntioned before, the family gathering is just a way to weigh everyone’s power and see the standing of those involved in the power play."
She glanced at Penny, who scratched her head in mild confusion. "I know it sounds complicated, and it might make you scratch your head. But if you stay out of their radar, living as a Pierson could be quite pleasant—a privileged life you’d enjoy."
"Hehe." Penny chuckled awkwardly. "Is that so?"
No wonder Zoren didn’t want Penny to get involved with the Pierson family affairs. Then again, Penny didn’t need the Pierson na to live well. But as if Belle could read her thoughts, she added,
"I know you already had a good life before marrying into the family, but carrying the Pierson na could bring a lot more benefits." Belle gave Penny a knowing smile. "You’ll eventually understand. For example, so family mbers don’t have to deal with any hassle if they need to renew their licenses. They just say their na—not even their last na—and they take care of it on the spot."
"Think of it as having a priority card everywhere in Anteca—internationally, too," she added. "Now that I ntion it, you should also be cautious about how you address people."
"Address people?"
Belle smiled at Penny, treading carefully, as she recalled Penny’s casual way of addressing Karina. "If you encounter any of the three primary branches, be respectful. The head of the family may be young, but don’t ever call him ’big brother.’"
Penny nodded, absorbing everything Belle was telling her. "Sure thing, Sister Belle. I’m learning a lot from you. Good thing I t you before anything else!"
"It’s the least I could do for you." Belle smiled appreciatively. "I hope this helps you in so way. I really hope, Penny."
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