Chapter 6 - A Taste of Revenge

Ally placed the bottle on the table by her side. The yellowish contents swirled slowly. "Take this bottle and do what you have to do. If you fail in your duty, I will not spare you," Ally threatened.

John grabbed the bottle with trembling hands. "But, if the Lord loses his son, he will kill me. My head will still roll."

Ally smiled confidently. "Do not worry. I have more influence than my husband. I will protect you. Nothing will happen to you. The only person you should really be scared of is me. If you do not do as you are told... I will kill you." Ally turned and walked away. John bowed behind her.

***

By lunchtime, Darian had changed into yellow and red robes. His leather shoes glistened with a heavy polish. These shoes were even better than the ones he wore during his time with his mother.

Alfred, his servant, watched with a warm expression on his face—not a smile. "Young master, you seem to be delighted."

Darian was standing in front of the large mirror. He turned to face Alfred. "I love the new treatment. I can't wait to try on all my new clothes. And my stomach is rumbling."

Alfred sighed. "Then you should hurry to the lunch table now. Everyone will soon be seated. You can't afford to be late."

Darian hurried toward the door. His smile showed his excitement. As he walked through the hallway, he was almost running. Alfred had to pick up speed. When Darian reached the doors to the dining room, the servants at the door bowed to him and opened the giant doors. Darian and Alfred entered.

Darian's eyes swept through the lavish walls and grand decorations. He had not been here before. The walls were bright and shiny, with cream-colored paintings and patterns with gold flakes. The tiles were made of clear marble. Darian could see his face in the marble. "Wow!" Darian exclaimed.

He saw a pillar on the side. On it was a small ship. It was so lifelike. Darian walked toward it, his curiosity piqued. He stretched out his hand to touch it.

"Don't do that. You might destroy it," a voice behind him said.

Darian turned. It was Jules.

"My mother said that you are the child of a peasant, and you can do nothing right. You can never match up to me and my brother," Jules said.

" Hey, watch it!" He said then he bowed his head. Alfred came closer to him. "Remember all you were taught. Hold your head up high."

Darian walked deeper into the large room. The large room resembled a mini hall. There was a large table at the center of the room. Darian could see the servers putting finishing touches on the table. Their arrangements were done.

The aroma coming from the table made Darian feel at ease. He planted himself in a chair, and even when Jules said, "You have no right to sit there," Darian did not respond. The chair Darian sat in was the first chair that faced the entire table.

From this spot, Darian could see all the mouth-watering dishes.

He heard the clearing of a throat behind him. Darian turned. Lucas Featherington, his father, was staring down at him. "That is my chair," Lucas said. He was wearing blue and black woven with gold threads.

Darian swallowed the lump in his throat. "I am sorry."

For the first time, Lucas flashed a smile at him. "It is fine. This is your first time dining with the family. I can tolerate this. In fact, I will sit by your side today."

Lucas Featherington sat on the chair by Darian's side after rubbing his blonde hair. Darian smiled. He felt warm inside. This was the first time his father had treated him like he really mattered.

Lucas turned to a servant standing on the side. "Serve my son, Darian, at once." The servants moved briskly and served Darian all the food he pointed to. Darian ate hurriedly.

Lucas smiled again. "I guess you have been starving."

Darian drank some water. "I have not tasted food this good in a long time."

"Well, you can eat as much as you want, my dear boy," Lucas said.

The giant doors opened again. Ally and Jordan stepped in. The moment Ally saw Darian sitting where Lucas should, she froze at the door. She reasoned the implications. Only the head of the home could sit there. Why was Darian, who was the son of another woman, seated in that spot?

Lucas could see the surprise on Ally's face from where he stood. He could guess what Ally was thinking.

Jordan wondered why his mother froze by the door. He tugged at her dress. "Mother, I am starving. Let's go in."

Ally composed herself. She walked slowly to the table. She bowed, "My Lord."

"Have a seat, my lady," Lucas said without looking at her.

Ally took her seat at the opposite end of the table. Jordan was beside her.

Ally's fist tightened. As much as she was trying to be composed, she could not help showing her displeasure. "I wonder why a boy is sitting in your chair. Am I supposed to look at his face while I eat lunch?"

"You can look at other places," Lucas replied.

"Only the head of the house is meant to sit in that chair. Why is the son of a concubine there?" Ally raised her voice slightly.

"He is the oldest child. Darian will be nine years old next month. He can sit here," Lucas argued. He finally looked Ally in the eye.

There was silence for a moment. Lucas and Ally maintained their eye contact for a brief while. "Very well," Ally gave in. "If that is what you want, my Lord." She got right into eating her meal. This circus will be over soon, and once and for all, she would be rid of Darian. She just had to wait for a few more minutes.

John, the head chef, walked in with other servers. It was dessert time. Other servers were behind him, carrying bowls of gelato and fruits.

Ally's hand shook in anticipation. Lucas noticed it as he stared at her. He thought something was up.

When a big bowl of gelato was served to Darian, he was really excited. His eyes widened, and he rubbed both hands together. He grabbed the spoon.

"Wait," Lucas said. "I noticed that Darian's bowl looks different from Jules's and Jordan's bowls. I do not want any of my children to think they are treated unfairly. Jordan, why don't you exchange your bowl of gelato with Darian? He has a bigger bowl than yours. You deserve that, right?"