Chapter 21

Sebastian's POV

The unpleasantness had subsided from my father when Emily and I were required to join him in the dinning room for dinner the following evening. He sat strongly at the head of the table and I sat on his right with Princess Naomi opposite from me and Emily next to her. In this palace, the King sat at the head of the table and immediate royals and family sat to the right of him. Invited guests and women sat on the left and opposite their companions.

While dinner was being served, my cousin walked in— tall with confident strides and a bright beaming smile displayed on his face that everyone claimed to have somewhat of a close resemblance to mine. He sat down beside me and patted me in a manly manner on my back.

"Ah, my favorite cousin. It's nice to see you again," he greeted.

"What are you doing here?" I knew my father had threatened my position, but I never thought it would be so sudden.

"I was invited," he answered coolly. "Thanks for the invite Uncle," he directed to my father. "It's been too long."

"You're always welcome, David," my father said back and I slowly shook my head before tasting my wine.

"Ohhh, and we have company," David's voice came again and his eyes latched onto Emily, who was now beginning to look flushed and unsettled.

"My company," I said to him so he could take his eyes off her.

David laughed a revolting, sly laugh before gathering himself again and remembering his manners at the table. "Please pardon my outburst."

I wanted to wring his neck off his shoulders, but I was more concerned as to why he laughed after I told him that Emily was my company.

"Am I missing something?" I couldn't shake the odd feeling away, nor save it for later.

"Uncle, what do you usually do with leftovers? Meals that are damaged, distasteful or just upsetting to look at?" David asked my father while ignoring my question.

"That's easy. We get rid of it by giving it to the unfortunates."

David laughed nastily again. "I couldn't agree more," he said without taking his eyes off Emily.

Princess Naomi ate like no one else was in the same room with her and she wasn't partaking in any conversations, but I didn't blame her. Dinner was uncomfortable and it felt like secrets were being hung in the air.

"Emily, how's your dinner?" David asked, and that was the last straw.

My fists hit the table, making everyone leap with fear, including my father. "What the FUCK David?!" I exclaimed.

"SEBASTIAN!" My father tried to match my tone, which he did successfully, but my attention wasn't in his direction. I was locked on David.

"Oh, I'm sorry Sebastian. I honestly meant no disrespect. I was just being friendly to your company," David stuttered.

"Don't," I cautioned him.

I felt pure heat in the palms of my hands. My blood was now running hot and I was eager to knock my cousin off the high horse my father wanted to put him on.

"All this ruckus is very impolite, and as men, the two of you should be ashamed of yourselves. I was expecting this behavior from these two." My father looked over to the ladies.

"Sorry to disappoint, Your Majesty," Emily said back to him and I caught the tiny smile he showed, but as quick as light, it vanished.

Dinner resumed, but when it was time for dessert, David started up again with a load of silly questions that weren't meaningful to my father, who would sigh loudly and rub his temples before answering David.

"Sebastian, what made you walk out on your wedding?" David asked.

"It's none of your business," I answered simply.

"I really hope that you didn't walk out because of her," he motioned to Emily.

"And what if I did?" I locked my eyes onto Emily and I knew something was wrong. I felt it.

"You're not going to tell him, or, I guess, you didn't know I would be here. I'm the last person you were expecting to see, huh?" David asked her and all the blood drained from her face.

She used a napkin to wipe away invisible sweat. "Can I please be excused, I need to use the bathroom." Without waiting for approval, she got up and left.

"I'll be right back," I said shortly after and excused myself as well.

I followed her to the bathroom but waited outside until she did her business.

I gently walked her back into the bathroom when she was through so that we weren't having the conversation in the hallway.

"I want one thing from you right now and that's the truth. What's your relation with my cousin?" I asked her rigidly as my eyes narrowed in on her overwrought posture.

"Seb... I— We... Him and I—"

"Spit. It. Out." I controlled my patience.

"David and I slept together."

Blood came to a boil would be an understatement. I raked my fingers through my hair, strands being ripped from the pull.

"You slept with my cousin?" I didn't have to ask because she'd just confirmed it with her own mouth, but my mind didn't want to comprehend. "How many times?"

"Sebastian, I swear I didn't know that he was your cousin. If I had known then I wouldn't—"

"How Many TIMES?!" I cut in, my voice raising a whole lot.

"Once," she answered and lowered her head with shame.

I left the bathroom and left her there.