CHAPTER 55: _THE DINNER TABLE IS THE BEST PLACE FOR DRAMA

Elian’s POV

*****

[So, what are your theories of this... ’Ominous presence’? A ghost?]

Now, wouldn’t that be interesting?

"Anyway, Baron Magnus." Alpha King Arian cleared his throat just then as the maids cleaning off the glass on the floor walked out of the dining room.

Elian followed the footsteps of the maids for a bit... Until Axel grabbed his leg gently underneath the table, causing his breath to hitch in his throat.

"Hey..." Axel whispered, his golden eyes scanning Elian with concern. "You seem jumpy. Even before that glass fell. Is something up?"

Elian’s lips parted as he struggled to think of what to say.

Was he really making it that obvious?

But then... Lucian sniggered at his right, causing Elian to turn his gaze to him.

The Alpha Prince held a glass of wine, taking a sip and dropping it before he turned his silver eyes to the two of them with a shrug.

"Oh, don’t mind me. I’m just... Impressed." He smirked, shaking his head.

Axel furrowed his eyebrows and Elian instantly felt like he was in between two bombs waiting to explode.

Until...

"Alpha Prince Lucian. Beta Axel." The Alpha King’s voice was calm, but it boomed, causing everyone at the table to fall silent. "That’s enough. Don’t forget what we discussed earlier in my throne room."

Lucian scoffed, grabbing a fork and stabbing a steak like it owed him fifty golden tickets. "Oh, right. How could I forget, Father? You mean the one where you told me I’m a disappointment?"

Silence.

Everyone at the table exchanged awkward glances, and Elian couldn’t help but stare at Baron Magnus.

The poor man placed his attention on his food while Aurora rubbed her forehead with barely contained frustration.

"Honey?" The Luna Queen fixed her gaze on her husband beside her, causing the latter to raise an eyebrow. "Is that true? Why would you—"

"I didn’t word it that way." Arian raised a hand, interrupting her. The Luna Queen blinked back with confusion in her eyes.

They stared at each other for a few seconds before the Alpha King sighed. "Let’s just continue eating. The dinner table is no place for drama."

Fortunately, everyone complied and continued eating.

[Everyone knows the dinner table IS the best place for drama. Everyone can offload their emotional grudges over some drinks and food.]

Elian ignored the system while Axel went back to focusing on him like he was a special needs child.

The Beta poured him a glass of moon dew — that special alcohol brand they’d taken at the restaurant earlier today.

Elian smiled at him warmly, grabbing the glass. Their fingers brushed subtly, causing him to raise his head and stare into the Beta’s golden eyes.

But then he felt someone glaring at him on his right side. He didn’t even need to look to know who it was.

That look radiated need and a possessiveness that was all shades intoxicating.

Lucian.

"I heard of the attack on the restaurant close to the palace." Estella’s voice broke through the tension before it could get any hotter.

All eyes flicked to her, except Elian who tightened his grip slightly on the crystal glass cup, taking a sip from the moon dew.

"Pretty sure everyone in the empire has heard of it at this point, Estella." Aurora chimed with a flat tone, sounding disinterested.

But Estella continued, seemingly not catching on.

"It’s a serious situation though. Moonhaven hasn’t had such an attack in... Well, ever." She remarked sharply and this time, Elian was forced to raise his head, his eyes locked on her.

The two of them exchanged eye contact and Elian could’ve sworn he saw her eyes glint with an actual cold light. One that translated to: "I’ll bring you down one way or the other".

Elian smirked subtly, giving her a: "bring it on, bitch" look.

"Estella, I think I discussed this with you earlier. No?" Axel turned his eyes to his sister, asking calmly. "Lucian and I are in the process of organising a committee to investigate both attack cases."

Estella nodded. "Yeah, yeah... Of course. But I’m just trying to cite the obvious connection both cases have."

Elian felt a few people glancing at him and stiffened subconsciously.

What was she driving at?

"Yes, they were both targeting Elian and we know this already." Axel blurted, sounding like he was about to change the topic. And he did. "Anyway, the masquerade ball is a part of the full moon festival next month as well as the Rogue King’s—"

"I’m curious, Estella." Elian couldn’t hold it back anymore and clasped his hands, raising an eyebrow. "What were you hoping to drive at just now? That I... Orchestrated my own assassination?"

The Luna Queen nearly choked on her food, grabbing a glass of wine and quickly drinking it to calm herself.

Estella’s face darkened, seeming like all the makeup was about to melt away.

[Ou, you went straight for the throat without dragging her directly.]

’I’m not even done yet.’ Elian responded as Estella spoke with well-practised calm.

"That would be a wild accusation from me, Elian." She began, parting aside strands of her blonde hair. "I was just trying to point out that you’re in danger and that might affect people around you more than you think."

A shiver crawled down Elian’s spine as the sound of clinking against silverware seemed to heighten with the tension.

That last line as well as the unreadable glint in her eyes...

She wasn’t just talking for drama’s sake. She was giving him a threat. A warning.

[Ding! Loading new Mission... Host standby.]

Elian smirked when he heard that, tilting his head at Estella who blinked with confusion.

"Oh, thank you for your concern, Estella. But I believe a toddler would know that." He said casually, grabbing his glass of moon dew. "Also, you seem to show so much... Interest in my safety for someone who attacked me at the mating ball last night."

Estella’s smile faltered, turning into a scowl. "Attack you? I—"

"Oh, you’ve forgotten so soon?" Elian sniggered, twirling his drink. "After the revelation that I’m mated to dear Lucian. He pushed me to the ground in front of everyone and you followed it with a kick to my stomach."

Lucian scraped his eating knife beside him but Elian ignored his existence. Or, at least he tried to.

That was nigh impossible when the Alpha Prince’s gaze and musky scent threatened to sweep him off his feet.

"I... I was only upset because I..." Estella stuttered, her cheeks reddening. "I mean, I didn’t mean to..."

She glanced over at the Alpha King and Luna Queen who both seemed to remove all attention from the conversation.

[Ding! New mission updated.]

Elian tore his gaze from Estella, focusing on the system now.

[Spy on Estella and gather enough evidence to prove she’s after the host’s life.

Deadline: Two days. Reward: Charm aura.]

Elian’s eyes lit up when he heard the notification in his head, an invisible screen appearing in front of his face.

Charm Aura?

Well, this should be fun...