Fredrick and the so-called King of Sevar looked to one another in a deep staring contest, while seated for breakfast.
It made Fredrick a tad bit uncomfortable to see a full-grown man with twinkly eyes obsessed over a full-grown daughter. He clapped his hands once, and the attendants and maids in the room took it as a warning, scurried away one by one to allow for Fredrick to be alone with the king.
“Aveline, how do you like your meal?”
“It is...lovely father.” Fredrick mumbled, while his pair of eyes were more preoccupied with figuring out how to hold the fork, and knife correctly. A lady's touch and grip were slightly smoother, and more balanced Fredrick thought. He adjusted his second finger slightly higher, and then tightened his grip on the knife more towards the middle. The more he fiddled, the more frustrated he got till he lost hold of the knife, and it fell to the floor. Fredrick felt sweat forming on the crease of his forehead. Would he notice?
“It seems your strength has not returned.” He said, while he put his hand under the table, and pulled out a golden bell and rung it.
A few moments pass, before the door opened and two maids gracefully walked in. They carried a few trays with what looked to be more food, with that nonchalant bored expression on their faces.
“Your majesty and your highness.” they both said, as they placed the trays onto the table.
“Get the princess some new silverware, perhaps something a bit lighter.” He ordered, and just like that a new knife, fork and spoon was placed in front of Fredrick.
Fredrick was ashamed.
He didn’t have to worry so much while he was in his room, but now that he’s going to be dining more often with Aveline’s father he had to be more wary about feminine etiquette.
“Have you always held your fork in that manner?” He asked, somewhat amused.
“I must have forgotten father. It has been some time since we have dined like this.” Fredrick explained, to avoid any suspicion.
“If that is the case, we might have to punish your etiquette teacher. It is not presentable.” He stated.
“There is no need. I just need time to readjust myself father. Putting that aside, I would like to discuss the matter of Duke Williams.” Fredrick wanted to clear this matter as soon as possible.
“Have you made up your mind on what punishment you want to give him?”
“Father, I have considered this deeply and think that we should reconsider...” Fredrick did not have the chance to finish his sentence before the door behind him had slammed open and Lucas had forcefully stormed in.
Fredrick had just noticed when he looked at both ends of the table, there was no other utensils set on the table as if he was not welcomed here.
“I did not expect to see you here Lucas. I thought you had business to take care of.” The king said, while he wiped his mouth.
“I had finished early, so I decided to stop by for a quick meal.” he snapped, and the king placed his napkin onto the table. “Do not worry father, I will be out of your way shortly.”
“Father, I think it is quite nice to have Lucas here with us.” Fredrick stated to ease the tension.
“How strange sister, you used to always hate my presence, so when did you start caring about family?”
“LUCAS! Watch that mouth of yours.” The king’s voice had escalated.
“There is no need to be angry father.” Fredrick had put his hands up to quell the tension in the air.
“As sister has stated why don’t we enjoy a meal together.”
“If you continue your tone, I will have you stripped of your title.” The king threatened.
“Father, will you continue to threaten me!” His voice also rose just enough that the room became quiet.
A part of the table that seemed to be segmented in the center was instantly thrown by Aveline’s father. Fredrick had his hands up, as his eyes widened and mouth opened as the table went flying towards the back corner of the room. Fredrick awkwardly still held onto a fork and knife, which he simply dropped.
“You have gotten too bold. Your brother Oliver can take your place.”
Lucas now feeling threatened, “Oliver is too young.”
Who was Oliver? Fredrick was not aware that there was a younger brother within the family.
“Father and brother enough! I have chosen to let there be no punishment for Duke Williams.” Fredrick had raised his voice just enough that both Lucas and the king had turned to face her.
Lucas questioned, “Are you not going to punish Duke Williams?”.
“I feel there is no need to punish him for my childish behavior.”
He looked confused, “What has gotten into you sister?”
“Now that has been solved, I would like to ask to be excused.” Fredrick clumsily curtsied, and walked out of the room, as he watched more items flying in the air as the door closed behind him.
His room looked to have been reorganized, as he slammed the door behind him. He took a few deep breathes, as he had his back to it, and began hyperventilating. He was not sure of what to do with such a dysfunctional family.
He attempted to relax, as he threw one foot in the air and the other as his heels went flying off his foot till he stumbled to the couch in the middle of the room. He then opened his legs and spread his arms wide on the couch.
“Your highness, would you like your snacks now?”
The familiar voice that Fredrick had now gotten used to, was from one of the few maids that were close to Fredrick after he became the princess.
“You can bring them in Libby.”
Fredrick hastily closed his legs and placed his arms to the side. He had to look presentable, as the door swished open and a cart with several trays came around the corner. Pushed by a fine braided brown pig tailed girl whose freckles covered her cheeks and her smile was overexaggerated. She stopped just short of the coffee table, and began setting the trays one by one onto the wooden coffee table in an orderly fashion.
“Your highness, I shall open up the windows.” She motioned, once she had completed setting the table. She turned towards the window where the curtains remained closed.
Fredrick who had been observing Libby, loomed silently, as he scanned the varieties that were laid out before him. Different flavors of chocolate, and grape that he had never tried before made it difficult to choose. Purple, red, green and even blue.
“Your highness, are you still unable to choose? "Libby, moved the curtains to the side before she tied them.
“There is quite a bit of a variety.” Fredrick replied, with his fingers pointing to each treat laid out before him.
“Then try the red velvet cupcakes. I heard from the baker that they are the most favorable, so why not try those.”
“You mean the red ones?”
“Yes, your highness.”
Fredrick picked up the fork and then without hesitation, he found the red cupcake on the left tray. He had prepared himself for this moment, as he lifted his arm up before, he fully thrusted down at them, stabbing them right through the middle.
Libby who had been observing this from behind him, dropped what she was holding.
“YOUR HIGHNESS! How could you do that? That is not lady like.”, as she came running towards Fredrick to pull out the fork with a simple statement, “What happened to your etiquette classes all those years?”
Fredrick in return, silent. His forehead creased inward, as he fiddled with his fingers. Whoops.
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