131

We had breakfast in silence, it was suffocating.

Not able to take it any longer, I set down my fork rather loudly, to draw their attention before breaking the silence.

“Is no one, absolutely nobody not going to talk about what happened outside?”

Thjis set down his wine glass and looked at me. “What happened outside Clepp?”

I’m baffled. Is he really going to pretend like nothing happened? “You know, the body? The woman who lost her son.”

“Topics like that are not to be discussed on a day like this, especially at the breakfast table. Now stop being rude and be quiet.”

I snort. “I want to know when the killer would be dealt with and you’re calling me rude?”

“Crinka…”, Sia warned.

“No, don’t shush me. All I want to know is how justice would be served!”, I yell, rising.

“Like I said earlier wolf, matters like these are not to be discussed at the breakfast table. Now sit down.”

“No, I’m leaving. I won’t sit here and pretend like there isn’t a woman out there who deserves justice!”

He glared at me. “If you leave here, never come back. Not today, not tomorrow and definitely not ever!”

“Fine!”

I stormed out of the dining room, slamming the door as hard as I can. I walked farther away from the dining room toward the balcony. Eloive joins me later.

“Shouldn’t you be in there having breakfast with your family?”, I ask him, facing him.

“I hate it there. Plus, I lost appetite.”

“Same here. So, what’s Boxing Day for the royal family?”

“It’s quite boring, you see, and a bit strenuous. After breakfast, we usually gather in the drawing room and unwrap our presents, if we have any. Most times, if my grandparents are feeling generous, they usually shower the townsfolk with some gifts and recruit more people for the palace staff.”

“Wow, that’s just great. Do you think I would be allowed in the drawing room?”

“I don’t see why not,” he said, flagging down a maid. She approached us, curtsying when she was close enough to be instructed.

“My prince,” she greeted, smiling at him.

Eloive stared point blank at her. “Am I the only one here?”

“No, my prince.”

“Good. So do what you’re supposed to do,” he sneered. Her smile faltered as she turned to me, curtsying. “Greetings my lady,” she spat out before turning to Eloive.

“Is my family done with breakfast?”, he asked her.

“No, my prince.”

“Very well then. Get us chairs, a bowl of grapes, wine for me, water for the lady. Bring food as well.”

The maid nodded and curtsied before leaving. “Wine?”, I ask him. “You’re not old enough Eloive.”

“If I’m going to get married at this age, then I can drink wine at this age,” he retorted.

The maid returned empty handed.

Eloive raised his brow at this. “I believe I sent you on an errand.”

“Apologies my prince, but the queen had asked that you join her in the drawing room.”

Eloive sighed as he grabbed my hand. Together, we walked to the drawing room.

….

Thjis and his sons were not in the drawing room. Dogara sat on a chair, surrounded by wrapping paper. Waxlyn was gushing over the gifts she had received while Yale looked bored. There were still some gifts by the Christmas tree that was set up and Eloive led me to the tree.

He took the gifts that were for him and I took the ones that were for me, surprised that I even had gifts. Only Ruarc, Elijah, Thane, Eloive and Waxlyn had gifted me something.

Eloive tore open Waxlyn’s gift and I wasn’t surprised to see some books. His countenance changed as he pushed them away.

“Do you like it?”, Waxlyn asked innocently, batting her eyelids.

“I would have, if they weren’t books. You know that I can’t read Waxlyn,” he muttered.

”Ooops! I might have forgotten. Don’t tell me you’re going to return it. It’s hideous to return a gift brother.”

He only sighed and reached for the next gift. He tore it open and scoffed when he saw what it was. “Pencils, really? How many times would I tell you people that I cannot read or write? Crinka, please tell me your gift to me is more reasonable.”

I reached for his gift and handed it to him. He carefully unwrapped it, a chuckle escaping his lips when he beheld the wine goblet adorned with the elegant inscription of the initial letter of his name.

“You don’t know how happy your gift makes me Crinka,” he said, smiling. It was genuine.

“I want!”, Yale announced, eyeing the goblet. “Where’s my gift Crinka?”

Laughed. “You’re too young to own a wine goblet Yale.”

He scowled. “Doesn’t mean I can’t have something else. Where is my gift?”

“I’m sorry but you don’t have any from me.”

He shook his head and left the room. Izal went after him.

“Where’s my gift?”, Waxlyn asked me.

I handed it over and held a breath as she unwrapped it. Please let her like it, please let her like it, please let her…

“You got me a jumpsuit?”, she asked, holding it up.

Yep, she doesn’t like it. “You don’t like it?”

“No...it’s just that, I didn’t expect it. Why a jumpsuit?”

“I was just curious to know what you will look like while wearing it. I’ve only seen you wearing gowns and skirts and I just kind of wanted to know how you will look wearing a jumpsuit.”

She smiled. “I will wear it someday, I promise.”

Then walked in Elijah and some of his brothers. Glad that there was a larger audience, I picked out my gift for Elijah and gave it to him. He seemed surprised.

“I know it’s not grand but it’s what I could afford. Merry Christmas Elijah.”

He smiled and tore open his gift. “A music manuscript? Very original.”

Thane looked at me. “Don’t tell me it’s oly Elijah you got a gift.”

I chuckled. “Of course not. I got one for you, Ruarc and Massa.”

“So, I get nothing?”, Cocci asked.

“I was short on funds and even if I wasn’t, I doubt you’d get anything from me.”

He pouted. “I thought you’ve forgiven me.”

I roll my eyes. “You wish.”

I handed over my gift to Thane. Massa and Ruarc are not here so I took my gifts for them and the ones I collected and exited the drawing room. Then I marched towards the south wing, wondering what the gifts under my armpit were all about.