"Jenna Drew," I said, nervously. "I wasn’t expecting I’d call you."
"And why is that?"
"You’re a reporter."
"Ah...You don’t trust . But you’re calling now, which ans you finally want answers to those questions I gave you two months ago."
"Yes, I want answers."
"Then let’s see and talk."
"U-Um, can’t you just tell on the phone? I see no reason why that should happen."
"For this to work, we have to see."
This was not what I had in mind. Seeing a reporter while I have the King na was a recipe for disaster.
As my silence prolonged, she added. "That’s the only way I can be sure this is not so social call."
I sighed. "Alright, after the weekend. I’ll think of a way."
"I’m looking forward to it. But I have a quick question for you."
"What?"
"How much do you know about the Underworld?"
"The Underworld?" I squinted my eyes. "What’s this, so Greek mythological analogy?"
She scoffed. "I was right then. Even as a King, you don’t know anything."
"Which is why I made this call," I said, already getting irritated.
"Fair enough. Now, I’m really looking forward to seeing you."
"Because I can’t relate to your analogy?"
"It ans you’re clean."
"Clean? You’re not making any sense."
"I will be soon. Until we et, Mrs. King."
The call ended. I just talked with a reporter, sothing I clearly told myself wasn’t a good idea.
But she knew sothing about the Kings, and I’d get my answers from her.
~☆~
After a quick shower, I walked to the door and yanked it open.
The sound of a flick-snap seized my attention, and I found Nico leaning against the wall, blazing the end of his cigarette.
"Morning, milady. Did you have a good night’s sleep?"
What a way to start my morning.
"Are you here to tell that I can’t leave the room?"
He took a drag from his cigar and released the smoke into the air. "Nope."
"Good!" I pitched, walking, and when I heard him coming, my mood turned foul. "What are you doing?"
"Following you," he replied coolly.
"Why are you following ?"
"Because the boss told not to leave your side. So, where are we going, milady?"
"To see my friend."
"Do you know which way?"
I halted, facing Nico, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Do you mind showing the way?"
"Stay close, milady," he said, leading the way.
I followed with my arms crossed, thinking he would direct to another room door. However, we got to the first floor, and I grew more apprehensive.
"She’s not in her room?"
"She’s having breakfast with Madam."
"Madam?" I slowed down my steps.
Wait, he doesn’t an...!
He pushed open the doors, revealing the dining room. Agatha was sitting at the head table. Tori sat at the side, barely chewing her food, her body locked tightly.
Not good.
"Catherine! How wonderful for you to join us for breakfast," Agatha said the instant she saw .
Tori flickered her gaze to and relaxed, mouthing, ’What took you so long?’
"Morning," I said, walking to sit beside her, but Agatha stopped .
"You sit at the other end of the table." She sipped her wine.
Isn’t it too early for wine?
"When Kings dine with the common, we have a duty to stand out."
Did she just call my best friend common?
I purposely dragged out the chair; the legs made a loud screech against the floor, and Agatha winced at the sharp sound.
Without breaking eye contact, I sat next to Tori.
Agatha scoffed at my actions, dropping her glass on the table.
"I sit where I want, and I don’t recall having rules to do that..." I smirked, grabbing a croissant.
"She doesn’t seem to like you," Tori whispered to . "That’s not good, is it?"
"I’m not ant to make her like ." I bit down on the croissant. "So don’t care."
"Damn girl!"
"I’m sure you’re aware why we’re on a lockdown," Agatha began. "I was just explaining to your friend."
"Security was breached."
"Is that all you know?"
I paused my eating action. Why did it seem like she was trying to figure out what I knew about it?
Does she know Ares killed soone? They didn’t seem like a loving family, given how alien Ares was during the ball, so my best guess was that she probably didn’t know what really happened last night.
"Yes, we can’t leave until the grounds are secured."
She fixed with a pointed stare. I finished mixing my tea and brought it towards my lips.
"That’s odd, I was under the impression soone was killed last night."
"What?!" Tori roared.
I choked on my tea, coughing, and the sound resonated back to . I quickly used the napkin to wipe my mouth.
"Killed? Like a dead body or sothing?" Tori questioned with wide eyes.
"N-No, nothing like that," I said, trying to calm her down.
"That’s what I heard, but I don’t have the details. The n around here like to handle everything by themselves."
She almost sounded displeased at that fact.
"What the fuck is going on here?" Tori mumbled.
"Maybe you heard wrong," I said, forcing a smile.
"Maybe..."
"Where’s Athena?" I asked to change the topic. "She should be here for breakfast."
Agatha’s face twisted in revulsion. "Don’t ntion that thing before again."
Thing?
"Harsh..." Tori murmured. "What’s with this family? First, a dead body, and now Stepmother here can’t bear the ntion of her Stepdaughter. Did we just take a turn on a fairytale?"
"Trust , there’s no fairytale here."
Suddenly, the doors opened with force, and Athena stepped in, her heels click-clacking sharply.
Who wears sunglasses indoors? Only Athena can pull that off.
"Ah! breakfast! I was starving." She walked to the table, pulled out a chair, spread jam on her bread, and took other things to fill her plate.
She ate obliviously to everyone around her.
This. Was. Awkward.
I got the feeling last night that Ares wasn’t close to his parents, and now it was the opposite for Athena, or maybe far more than that?
The door forced open again.
What now?!
I froze when I saw a boy around seven years old running to Agatha. Her expression instantly brightened as he kissed her cheek.
"Awake already? How are you feeling?"
"A little better."
"We have guests. Why don’t you greet them?"
He faced us, and my heart stilled.
A-Ares?
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