CHAPTER 542: CHAPTER 542 - A LOVE SQUARE? (PART 1)

Though I looked back down to my food and continued eating, I did this after a heavy sigh. I know for a fact that Marius is not the type of guy that would swallow such a direct provocation from another man so I can only concentrate in finishing my meal at least before everything goes crazier than it is now.

Marius and Lir knew how a big deal it is for me to keep my meals on time and in peace so none of them spoke even after the silent provocation earlier. Marius and Levi also sat under the shade of the tree though there is quite a noticeable space in between them as if they do not want to be anywhere near each other.

They ate silently as they also waited patiently for me to finish my meal. Nobody was brave enough to speak since I did not say a word even after how awkward and seemingly heated everything is now between the three of them.

I purposely ate in a leisurely manner amidst the glares that Marius is sending my way. It doesn’t help the fact that I constantly here Levi’s heavy sighs and Lir’s not so helpful scoffs and chuckles once in a while during the meal.

As I finished eating, I hurriedly stood up and walked back to the plaza even before Marius can say anything. I went to the washing area to get my bowl and cup cleaned which is currently filled with the other sanctuary dwellers. This has successfully stopped Marius from saying anything as of the moment, extending my moment of peace and silence.

The trio followed close behind me as they have finished their meals several minutes before I did. I chuckled as I looked like a mother duck with three handsome ducklings behind me. I heard Marius click his tongue as he maybe thinking that I am making fun of the whole situation. Well, it was more of "funny" than fun, if you ask me.

On the contrary, just change that comparison to a fish instead. I forgot that they were all merfolk and ducks kind of eat fish so that may be an inappropriate animal to use.

After having my bowls and cups cleaned up, I turned around and stared at the trio who were following me around. They were so surprised with what I did that the one behind me which was Marius actually suddenly stopped walking, causing Lir and Levi to bump on to the person in front of them like dominoes. I reached for Marius shoulder to stop the three of them from tumbling together towards me.

Marius was about to open his mouth when the light of the transportation circle I silently made beneath out feet lighted up. In a blink of an eye, we are standing inside the living room of my villa in the north. It was the first time that any of them was able to come inside this place so they couldn’t help but gawk and look around my home.

I walked straight to the kitchen and looked for something sweet to eat since the tomato only did a little to remove the fishiness of the stew. I need something else to clear my palate so I started rummaging in my food inventory. While doing so, my mind started to wander on to setting up a dessert shop in this world since I haven’t found a store that has such specialization from all the travelling I did so far. Sure, they have bake shops and diners but nothing that solely sells cakes, pies and other types of desserts.

While I was brainstorming and rummaging for sweets at the same time, I failed to notice that the trio in the living room has started another silent staring fight. They all took a seat where two were seated on the opposite ends of my long sofa and the other one sat on the single cushioned seat across them. They were scarily quiet as they patiently waited for me to return to the living room.

I returned to the living room with my two layered tray cart filled with three bottles of assorted fruit juice (apple, grape and pineapple), plates of chocolate brownies and two big jars of cookies, one being butter and the other being strawberry jam-filled. I also took out my whole egg custard pie, looking like I am hosting a dessert buffet. I also made sure to bring over glasses, saucers and forks showing that I am willing to share my sweets which is a rare feat by the way.

I am only ever generous of my desserts with my husbands and who I consider my close people, none of these three fit that category just yet. I hope with all this sugar involved, we can speak with a bit more calm later.

As they saw me hauling a tray full of beautiful crafted food, their eyes widened as the air was filled with the smell of butter, sugar and fresh fruit. Levi was the first one to react as he stood up and helped me push the cart and place the glasses, fork, saucers, sweets and the bottles of juice on the low table in the middle of the living room.

I sat comfortably on the huge space on the long sofa, right in between where Marius and Lir were seated. After sitting, I broke the silence by setting rules immediately as I said, "We are here to talk calmly. No shouting, fighting and cutting off someone who is already speaking. If you dare to fight in front of me, I will never speak to you again."

Marius’ eyes widened as I heard him gasp and swallow hard. Whatever he was about to say, it seemed like he had to think about how to say it in a much calmer manner. I heard Lir chuckle a bit but he answered, "Sure. I am fine with that."

Levi was the next one to speak as he said, "I don’t even know what the issue is. I just arrived earlier and I was pulled towards the meeting hall by Marius together with Lir. For one, I am not angry about anything so I do not have any reason to not be calm."

Lir chuckled again and murmured, "Only one person is angry from the start. I guess he’s jealous or something."

I did not confirm nor deny the reason why Marius was angry. I simply started putting sweets on my plate and started munching on my goodies. Lir and Levi also started sampling the variety of items I brought out and I can see the happiness on their faces due to eating desserts for the first time.

Seeing the blissful faces of the three of us while eating, Marius eventually reached for some of the desserts on the table and started eating as well. I saw the moment when his eyes widened in surprise upon tasting the strawberry jam-filled cookie then his hands started going around the plates trying each one in succession.

We did not speak and just had our fill for sweets for about half an hour. After all the items have been eaten and the mood was a bit lifted, it was finally time to really talk. I leaned back on the sofa and nonchalantly asked, "So what is with this silent staring fight that I heard was happening from one of the elders? Care to explain what is happening?"

Just like how he commented in the beginning, Levi stepped back from the whole issue. He was the first to speak to clarify his side. He said bluntly, "Marius seemed to have two issues with me from the look of things. The first one was that I wasn’t part of the list of people that should have been invited here. The second one was that I was part of the first batch that was teleported here in Marahuyo."

I can see Marius’ face change in my peripheral vision as Levi bluntly stated the reason why he is being included in all of this. He straightened his sitting position and opened his mouth as if about to rebut but Lir was quicker to state his case so he had to swallow what he was about to say.

Lir immediately spoke as blunt as how Levi did, taking advantage of the time when Marius was trying to compose himself before speaking. He spoke in a nonchalant manner as he said, "This guy had two issues with me too. The first one was quite similar to Levi’s second which is that I arrived as part of the second batch of merfolks teleported here way before him. The second was, with gritted teeth, he asked me why I smelled like you. I answered honestly that I was with you before I teleported which is the truth. I don’t know where his thoughts wandered afterwards."

This time, Marius couldn’t help it anymore as he stood up from his seat and pointed at Lir, he made a face that says that everything he just heard was incredulous but he just couldn’t say a word of it. I looked at Marius and motioned for him to sit back down. He reluctantly followed my instruction but with a bratty pout on his face.