Once Upon A Princess

Chapter 3 - Uncomfortable Dinner

Later that evening, we were finally gathered in the dining room to eat some dinner. I was the first one to get downstairs so I waited for a couple of minutes for them to eventually get down. Then, at last, after such a long wait, mom and dad followed by my brother and his friend came down after a few minutes.

As usual, we prepared some simple dishes that will satisfy not just our palate but also our guest. My mom could have already asked Ethan what he likes because based on the change of food for the evening. I asked one of our maids this afternoon, what we will be having for dinner but she didn't tell me anything since mom and dad aren't home yet at that time and there is a guest in the house so they are still thinking about what to prepare when I approached them.

There was chicken soup, steak, seafood pasta, and more. I don't want to talk about food anymore since I am definitely hungry. I was about to start to eat when I suddenly realized that the man who was seating across from me was Ethan. So, that only means he could see how huge I swallow my spoon when I eat.

I took a glimpse at the man but I flinched when I saw him already looking at me. I quickly averted my gaze and didn't trouble anymore myself to look at him again. I began to eat and indulge in all the food in front of me without thinking of the man who was in front of me. I love food and no one could stop me from doing so, even if it's him or anyone... at least from time to time.

After a long and quiet dinner, we finally finished eating our dinner and now it is time for dessert.

"Wow," I said surprised looking at the dessert that was on the trolley that our maid was pushing.

Afterward, she gently put it all on our table and I can't believe what I am seeing right now. It's a pudding! A caramel custard pudding that I so love but never got the chance to eat because of my diet for the last few weeks for the pictorial.

I quickly picked up my spoon and took a bite, to know what it tastes like, and unexpectedly, it tastes wonderful! I began to eat it slowly, making sure that I am able to savor the sweetness and the softness of it without even minding my surroundings.

"I didn't know that our maids could make a dessert like this?" My mom talked all of a sudden enough to make the atmosphere feel heavy. She always ruins the mood when she opens that mouth of hers.

"It was Ethan that cooked all of the food for our dinner this evening, mother." My brother said which made my eyes widen in surprise. He could cook? And he is better at it?

Maybe that is the reason why he was taking a bath a while ago at such a late time when he have all the day to himself to do so. It was because he just finished preparing all of the food for our dinner.

Even so, I stiffen when I remembered what the hell happened in that room again.

But... I want to marry him... now!

"You shouldn't trouble yourself from now on." My mother said which brought me back to reality.

"Besides, we have maids to do these kinds of jobs. You are not considered as one, remember that." She said which made it begin to feel awkward.

"He just wanted to thank you for letting him stay here." My brother said in return but my mother slammed her spoon abruptly on the table which made it even more uncomfortable.

I really hate her.

I saw dad hold onto her hand to stop her from making any more trouble in front of the table without even saying a word.

I love my dad. I love him so much because he gives me everything that I wanted but I hate him too for tolerating her like this. I hate him when everything is concerned with mom because he never takes anyone's side but her.

A few seconds later, everything went back to normal and everyone was already finishing the dessert that Ethan have made. I already finished mine because I don't want to stay anymore at this table but I can never leave before my mom and dad are already finished. It was a sign of respect to those elderly here.

"So, Ethan what are you taking?" Mom now asked.

"Business in Administration, mam." He answered.

"Are you good at it?"

"I'm afraid so."

"You are afraid so? So, you do not know? Then, how did you manage to get to such a prestigious school when you don't know?" She asked.

"He is good at it." My brother butted in now.

"I'm not asking you, young man." Mother said getting annoyed once again.

"What do your parents do?" She now asked and I looked at the man waiting for his answer since maybe I know them already.

"They are dead. " The man said in front of me.

It's as if my world has stopped that night.

It's as if the ticking sound of the clock paused on its own after hearing him say that.

"I'm sorry." I apologized quickly for my mom because it looked like she isn't going to say it.

Well, she never admits her mistake so, I am not surprised that she didn't.

"No. It's alright. I don't know if they are really dead. I woke up in an orphanage so, I assumed that they were already dead." He explained.

"Still..."

Yet, I was cut off right then, when my mom started talking once again.

"You never know. What if they just left you there because they gave up on you?" My mom said which made everyone look at her in disbelief, even my father who doesn't like to get involved when mom is saying nonsense.

"I think..."

My Dad was also cut off when she talked again.

"How did you even become friends? What did you do to make my boy hang out with you when you obviously have nothing? Are you staying with him because you want to be popular like him? Or better yet, are you staying with him so that you can leech off with his money?" Mom asked many insulting questions which made my brother angry.

Leech off?

Says the one who is doing that.

"SHUT UP!" My brother shouted unexpectedly which made my mother's eyes widen in surprise, even me and my father. I have never seen him this angry before and I am really scared to see him like this.

"How dare you talk to your mom like that? Respect your mother!" My Dad unbelievably said.

"Respect? Does she even deserve that? If you want me to stay here longer during my vacation, I suggest that you respect my friend too who did nothing but be insulted in my house. I never wanted to go back in this s**t hole if only it wasn't for my sister." He explained calmly.

So, is it my fault that this happened?

I didn't know that my brother hated this house.

I didn't know that he hated our parents.

Well... what do I even know?

"Let's go, Ethan." He said to his friend to stand up after that.

"Good evening," Ethan stated as if he was okay after what happened to him just right in front of the dinner table.

They left the dining room without a word, leaving us three who became silent. I glanced at my parents and they cannot believe what just happened in front of them. They were wrong in the first place. It doesn't matter if you are older than us. If you have done something wrong to the other it will surely come back to you.

"You should apologize," I said as I put down my spoon that was still in my hand. I could see my hands shaking after seeing my brother angry for the first time.

"And why would I? I am his mother. I only want what's best for him." She answered which only made me stand up from my seat. I can't take her anymore. I glanced at my father because it looked like I cannot talk to her properly this time.

"Dad, make her apologize. It's her fault that this dinner went into ruin." I said and left with my mom calling for my name furiously.

They said that no matter what it takes, even if your parents have crossed the line and hurt you badly even if it's just words... you should still treat them nicely and respect them at all costs.

That's bullshit.

No wonder the rate of runaway kids has been increasing because of how they are being treated in the house and the number of suicides is high because of depression being caused by the family members in the house.

So, if you wanted to be treated right, you have to treat others well first because... what comes around, comes back around.