The clatter of silverware to plates rings throughout the banquet hall. The light filters through the stain glassed windows, lighting up the hall with the evening glow of the sun.
"Eldest." Her excellency sits at the head of the table, eating the fine meal prepared for the royal family. She hisses her s's as she calls out to her eldest son.
"Yes your highness." Judas Derose immediately sets down his fork, looking up at his mother.
"Fetch me the evening reports." She waves her hand in the directions of the communication offices and corridors. Judas stands up out of his chair bowing.
"Right away your excellency." He walks out of the hall at a respectable pace so not to disturb the rest of his family with the clopping or tapping of his shoes.
The entire dining hall sits in eerie silence as it usually does. The heirs are all sitting to the left of their guardian and the headmistress at the head of the table with the master at the opposing end. They all resume their silent dinner festivities.
"Your grace?" Claude, the second eldest son and guardian of Athena Derose, sits up in his chair. He looks to the head of the table to meet his mothers eyes so he can hold conversation.
"Speak." She doesn't even look up from her food.
"There are rumors of an uprising." Everyone suddenly finds this conversation much more intriguing, all focusing less on the meal in front of them and more on the information he is to be revealing.
"Go on." Headmistress Fiona, head of the Derose House, clears her throat. This conversation has now even peaked her interest.
"A thousand men in southern Drukarus in a small town are rioting in the streets." He is quickly interrupted by his overly snappy younger sister.
"And what is their reason for rioting? Haven't they got food in their stomachs and a roof over their heads." Claude can't help but be disgusted with her, she is saying all of this while living in a palace. She is a royal, the second heir to the throne, how dare she speak down to her people. Of course he can't say exactly what is on his mind.
"They believe the monarchy we have built is unfair to the people."
"Well how do we silence them?" Her highness speaks up. Claude looks over at her confused.
"Silence them? The people are expressing their need for change." Claude is quickly interrupted again by Athena.
"Oh hush. This is not a matter of opinion." Her tone is more cold and this time Claude doesn't bark back.
"Yes madam." He looks back down at his plate, exiting himself out of the conversation.
"We will cross that bridge when we get there your highness." Eleanor, first heir to the throne, leans over her plate.
"She is right your grace, there are not people banging on our doors yet so it isn't our problem." Edmund at the opposite end of the table nods agreeing. Fiona just lets out a simple sigh and goes back to eating her meal. The short conversation ends and they go back to their temporary silence. T
The echo of tapping footsteps fills the dining hall as Judas renters, a small paper in his hand.
"Straight from the department of communications your majesty." He bows upon entering. When Fiona waves her eldest son over he hands her the paper, a small piece of parchment that can be read over swiftly. He pulls back his chair and sits down to continue his meal.
"Well would you look at that." Fiona has a grin on her face, leaning back in her chair slightly. Everyone drops their utensils to the table and looks up at her.
"The Min'oTaar house is offering an alliance." She sets the paper down on the table, pressing the tips of her fingers together. Nearly everyone at the table looks to each other before bursting out in deep hearty laughter.
"We have our hands full already." Caspian, guardian of Ruby Derose, hisses while howling with laughter.
"So foolish." Atlas, guardian of Scarlett Derose, blurts out beside him.
There is only one person, not laughing. Claude.
"We should consider their offer your majesty." He says, looking absolutely disgusted by his family's horrible behavior. This could truly be useful for in the future.
"You really think we should consider this Claude?" She gives him a toothy smile, her fanged teeth poking out over her lip slightly. It is both full of amusement and danger.
"Yes, I do." He stands firm this time despite the dirty looks Athena is shooting him.
"Then how about we take it up with House Ancasia, your eminence. They are sure to be arriving shortly." Eleanor surprisingly sides with him, but it was not out of agreement as much it was pity. Claude angrily stands up out of his chair.
"May I be excused?" His tone is bitter even when speaking to the Headmistress herself.
"You may not." She states clearly, the whole rooms laughter dying down. Athena tries to tug him down by his arm.
"Then I will excuse myself. Good night." He pushes away from his chair and storms out of the banquet hall. This was no laughing matter. No Derose son should just be able to barge out of a family dinner like that. It was so disrespectful that the entire family quiets down, staying silent once again.
"Dinner is dismissed. We will review the offer with care when House Ancasia arrives." Fiona stands up out of her chair, everyone following and all bowing at once before exiting the dining hall.