Rolan's warm hand tries to hold my hand but I'm content with my nails digging into my own skin. He eventually holds my hand and pulls it to his lap. He moves forward, his lips brushes my skin as he whispers into my ear. "You're frowning, Mika. Everyone is watching. Your lips look so edible in that pout" He teases.

A laugh unknowingly breaks out of me and I stop myself immediately but it's too late. Everyone breaks into a fit of laughter. I feel my body get hot. "Relax, Mika" He says before pulling away. I watch him from the corner of my eye. A smirk plays on his lips as he takes his cup of wine and nudges it to Uncle's direction.

I can feel mother's hot gaze one but I chose to ignore it. Uncle continues. "We celebrate the engagement between Rolan Niklavo Dimitri, the king of the Russian empire and Davinia Jewels Lucchese, the Queen of the Italian empire. She's all yours Rolan, take good care of her" his voice turns deep at his last sentence. Rolan nods firmly before sipping his wine with elegance.

"I plan on doing just that" He mutters but I heard it and I continue to blush.

"Let's enjoy tonight's meal. Don't forget to congratulate them after the meal" Uncle says before returning to his seat.

Servers walk in with different plates of mouthwatering meals on their hands and begin to serve us. A maid serves us the same meal. One of my favorite meals. Roasted peppers pasta.

I watch Rolan from the corner of my eye. He's eyeing the meal with no expression on his face but I can see the confusion in his eyes. I chuckle inwardly.

"Watch me" I say to him as I cut into my pasta, twirl it and dip it in the sauce. He copies my action and takes it to his lips. He hesitates whereas I don't. The pasta melts in my buds which makes me close my eyes for a second as I savour the taste and swallow.

He finally decides to eat and I carefully watch the deadpan expression on his face twist into amazement. He takes his time in chewing it before he swallows it, his Adam's apple moves up and down in a sensual way.

What is wrong with me?

Everyone continues to eat while some chatter amongst themselves. I feel eyes on me and I don't have to look up to know who it is. All I want to do right now is, enjoy this meal and go back to my room. My plan tonight was to rub my engagement in the faces of my cousins but now I don't think I have the confidence to do that. Not when she's glaring holes through my skull.

Clatter and chatters of people chatting as their utensils makes contact with their plates fills the evening air. The dinner is going well at least for now but as everyone is busy enjoying their meals and making small talks my eyes keep flickering over to Mother. She eats like a dignified princess but we both know that it's a facade. She looks calm and collected but then my eyes move to see her wrist shake from time to time. It becomes clear to me, she almost fooled me.

My eyes move away from her shaky eyes to meet her light green eyes staring right at me. I freeze for a second then I continue with my meal. Her hot gaze still stays on me and it makes me itch, I can sense that she wants to do something and I don't think I will like it one bit.

"Rolan, is it?" She begins, her voice sounds croak but soft. I don't bother to look up. Rolan can speak for himself.

"Yes" Rolan's answers her with a spice in his voice. Well, he is eating roasted pasta. I slowly slice the piece of meat in front of me as I listen to them speak.

"I've never heard about you"

"It's possible"

"Is it?"

Her question dangles in the air with him or no one attempting to answer. Someone clears his throat and everything falls to silence.

"My own daughter is engaged and I don't know about it" she says after which she chuckles dryly followed by fits of cough. A maid immediately appears beside her and hands a cup of water. A few seconds passes before she is able to breathe well again.

"Who invited her to dinner? She can't stay in such an atmosphere like this. It's cold outside" I say to the maid beside. She opens her mouth to speak but my mum beat her to it.

"Why? Afraid I'll let out your secret?"

I scoff.

"Still mannerless, I see"

I chose to ignore her and go on with my food but Mother has other things in mind.

"He doesn't know, does he?" she questions coyly. I drop my fork gently and wipe my lips with the handkerchief. "Say, Rolan. Would you like to know a fun thing about my daughter? the woman you're about to marry"

My hands go below the table to fist my dress. The chattering dies down a little as some pause to watch me and my mother. Sher receives no response from Rolan but she continues either way.

"I'll tell you"

My head shoots up to glare hard at her face shaped into a sly smile. She holds my glare with dare playing in her eyes. I don't know if it's something in my eyes or the way I stare at her that makes her tilt her head a little to the left and a fake look of worry marks her face.

"What's with that look dear? Scarred? I bet those heels are very tight on your dainty feet" She says with a sick sweet voice.

I smile dauntinly at her. "Indeed they do Mother"

"Must be nice"

"It is"

We have a stare off. My smile didn't waver neither did hers. I leave my dress to dig my nails in palm and press down on my heels feeling it snag on my flesh.

Mother looks away from me and sends a bright smile towards the man next to me, Rolan. "My daughter isn't so hard to please. You see, just a little pain makes her go on a high. Isn't that right Davi? " her eyes flicker to mine and I catch a glimpse of remorse in her eyes before it disappears.

A cackle breaks the tension between us and it's no one other than, Gracie. Only she has the ability to cackle like a medieval witch. I lazily turn my head to her direction. I watch with disinterest as she wipes the non existent tears from her eyes. "That's a good one aunt" her eyes meet mine for a second before it shifts to Rolan.

"My cousin loves it hard, rough and very painful" she mocks and her sister Gloria joins her in laughing.

"Take her to her quarters" I order the maids behind my mum. They move to help her off her feet but she protests.

"Don't be such a brat Davinia! .
I only want him to know what it takes to please a masochist like you!" she seethes, her face contours into something scary and awful. It hurts to watch her like this. One of her maid holds her by the arm only to get stabbed with her fork on the back of her hand.

Everything stops as we watch it unfold. The ugly side of Mrs Lucchese. Her maids screams in horror at the sight of her own blood and backs away from mother.