Chapter 24 – Royal Breakfast Tension
The long dining table was filled with silver trays of steaming food, goblets filled with strange liquids, and the quiet chatter of nobles trying not to speak too loudly.
The Queen sat at the head, regal in a dark crimson gown. Her gaze lingered on Ravena, who had just taken her seat between Solana and Seraphina.
After a few moments of quiet sipping and chewing, the Queen spoke.
"So, Ravena…" she began slowly, her voice like silk over thorns. "I've heard… interesting things about you."
Ravena raised her eyes carefully. "Really?"
The Queen smiled, eyes never leaving hers. "Yes. Word travels, even between kingdoms. I heard your people despised you. That even your own blood rejected you."
Ravena froze for a second, but her face didn't change.
Seraphina shifted uncomfortably. "Mother—"
The Queen held up her hand. "Don't interrupt me, Seraphina."
Solana grinned. "It's true, isn't it? I mean… how does it feel to be so unwanted that even your kingdom threw you away?"
"Solana," said Seraphina sharply.
"Oh come on," Solana said, eyes twinkling cruelly. "We're just trying to understand her better. That's what this breakfast is for, right?"
"I wasn't talking to you," the Queen cut in, not even glancing at Solana. The silence that followed was sharp.
Ravena took a slow breath. "Is there a reason you're saying this to me, Your Highness?"
The Queen tilted her head. "I'm simply curious how someone who carries a curse walks so confidently into our palace."
At that, Ravena's eyes glimmered.
"You speak of curses like your hands are clean," she said calmly.
Gasps whispered across the table.
Solana scoffed, "She's arrogant. Probably part of her curse."
Ravena turned to her. "Better arrogance than ignorance."
Damiar's goblet clinked softly as he placed it down. His voice was quiet but ice cold.
"Enough."
The Queen raised a brow. "Why so defensive, Prince Damiar?"
Damiar's eyes didn't leave Ravena. "Because I've had enough of this charade."
Then the Queen's son — the younger prince — leaned forward with a dark smirk.
"Do you know the feeling of sitting beside your food?" he said, eyes locked on Ravena.
The table went dead silent.
Ravena's heart slammed in her chest, but her expression didn't flinch.
She slowly turned her head toward him.
"And do you know the feeling of being hunted… but still surviving?"
Her voice was soft, but it cut through the room like a blade.
He looked taken aback.
Seraphina bit her lip. Solana looked away, awkward for the first time.
Ravena continued, voice steady. "Because that's what I've done. Over and over. While you sat in comfort, I survived things your kind wouldn't last a day in."
The Queen narrowed her eyes. "So dramatic… for someone so delicate."
"Delicate things survive storms too," Ravena replied.
Damiar sat back, his hand curling into a fist under the table. He looked at the Queen, voice low.
"This breakfast is over."
He stood.
"You can play games, Your Highness," he said coldly, "but next time you use your tongue as a weapon, make sure it's sharp enough to pierce more than pride."
And with that, he walked out.
Ravena stood a few seconds after, her voice softer.
"Thank you for the food."
Then she left.
The Queen stared after them both, her smile vanishing slowly.