The Dark Side Of Fate by Karima Sa'ad Usman

24 Lunch And More (Book 2)

~Amelia~

We arrived at the dining room, and I felt a bit shy. It was hard to feel comfortable amid the rich and powerful. Seeing everyone at the table made me feel I was aiming too high regarding Leo.

Leo led me to a seat, and we both sat down.

I did not know what to say or do that would not make me come across as rude, so I kept my head down and looked at the empty plate in front of me.

"I love your dress, Amelia," I heard Queen Tamia's voice say, and I looked in her direction.

It was tough loosening up there because I did not know if it were right that I stared into her eyes.

"You should relax; we are all friends here; the formalities end at the king's hall," She said, and everyone laughed.

They were not mocking me; I could see that much, which made me relax.

"Your eyes are like the moon. They look gorgeous," Lady Linda said, smiling at me, making me relax completely.

"She is a keeper, Leo," Queen Tamia said, and I knew I was blushing at that moment.

The women helped me to relax. Food was served, and we ate in high spirits.

They had conversations that made me laugh, and Leo kept his hand on my thigh under the table.

It wasn't as dreadful as I thought, and I was grateful the women made it easy.

"I will be heading back to Mountain tonight because of security matters," Leo finally announced, and everyone was silent.

"You just got here, Leo," Lord Marcel said, and Leo nodded.

"Yes, I know, but I have pending issues in the east. I will return when I have solved it," Leo said.

"We were just getting to know Amelia. Hope you return sooner," Queen Tamia said eagerly, and Leo shook his head.

"I will be leaving her here, based on our discussion. I will return," Leo said, and I wondered what he had discussed with Queen Tamia. The woman stopped smiling and looked at me.

"I see," she said and smiled.

" Well, you know she is in good hands, but there is just so much we can do to keep her comfortable. She is yet to know us. You need to come back soon. We will simply bore here," She said, speaking the truth, and Leo nodded.

"Amelia will adjust faster than you expect. I promise I won't stay long," he said, and there was an awkward silence.

"What do you want to do, Amelia?" Lady Avery finally asked, speaking to me.

"Do you want to remain or go with Leo and return with him? Whatever Tamia is helping with, I am sure it can wait," Lady Avery asked, sounding concerned for me.

I looked at Leo because he knew my answer, but something in his eyes let me know he did not want me to follow him to Mountain. I decided not to embarrass myself.

"I will wait," I said, but my voice wasn't convincing, but they were kind enough not to stress on the topic. Lady Linda changed the topic of discussion, and that was it.

Lunch ended, and I returned with Leo to his room. I watched him pack his bags and wondered why he was taking everything with him, knowing he would return.

"You have clothes in Mountain; must you pack your bags?" I asked, and he sighed.

"The only reason I am returning is because of you, Amelia," he confessed.

"I hardly spend up to two days in the north. I only come for council meetings and important gatherings. I will only return because you are here. I do not leave my things in the north," he said.

"I see," I said because he had not realised what he had said.

"What about Mrs Clayman's dinner party? Did you tell her you will come to lead her on?" I asked him, and he laughed.

"We know why she invited me for dinner. I am not interested in her daughter. We might go together if I return on time, but if not, then too bad," he said, zipping his bag, and I nodded.

"At least call Beta Casper to find out if you are needed today," I suggested, and he shook his head.

"Will you mind if I decide to come with you?" I asked, and he sighed. Content © copyrighted by NôvelDrama.Org.

I quickly shook my head so he would not think I was pestering him.

"It is okay, Leo. I am not worried," I said, " just be safe," I added.

Leo looked at me and smiled. He left the bag and came to hold me.

"I won't be long, Amelia. I promise I will return," he said, and I nodded and pulled away from him.

"You can take your time in Mountain, Leo. I do not want you to feel under pressure," I told him, and he was silent.

"What did you ask Queen Tamia to do for me?" I finally asked, and he sighed.

"I want to help you find your family," He confessed, and I was angry. That was a huge decision to make without consulting me.

I walked away from him, trying to control my emotions.

After everything I had been through growing up, that was the last thing I wanted. He had no right to do this without asking me.

"Did you care to find out if I wanted to find them?" I asked, controlling my anger, and he looked surprised.

"I would have searched for them if I wanted to find them. Not every orphan has the dream of finding their parents, especially knowing that my mother dumped me at the orphanage. That says a lot, Leo. It says she did not want to have anything to do with me." I told him, letting him know my stand in all of it, and he frowned at me.

"What about your father?" He asked, and I laughed.

"Why are you trying so hard to give me something I did not ask for? Why are you trying to give me the thing I do not want? If that is why you are leaving me here, I might as well return to Mountain with you because I do not want to know anything about the Stepanovs, the Volkovs or my mother," I said, ad he went to sit on the couch.

"Why will you make such a decision without telling me? Was I so much of a burden to you that you wanted to find my family so your conscience could be at peace when you let me go?" I asked him, and he looked at me and shook his head.

"Then why do this? Why make all these arrangements without my consent? You are still treating me like a charity case. The only reason I am with you is because we decided to try, but I doubt you are trying," I said, and he shook his head and stood up. He walked to me and held my upper arm gently to get my full attention.

"You are not a charity case. I just wanted to do something nice. I wanted to give you a gift. I wanted you to know the history of your lineage to help you build some self-esteem because of how insecure you feel about your eyes and hair. You are perfect, Amelia. I swear to you, I do not see you as a charity case, and if I could avoid going to Mountain, I would have. If you do not want me to go with my bags, I won't, but please don't be mad," He said to me, and I knew I had blown the conversation out of proportion. I did not want him to go to Mountain without me. I was afraid he might not return for me. Even though I did not say it, I felt that way.

Leo pulled me close and held me to his chest.

"I won't be long, I promise you. I know you are safe here, and I know Tamia will look out for you," he said, and I wrapped my arms around him and breathed him in.

Leo left his bag behind and headed to the airport.

I remained in the room, uncertain about what to do. An hour after Leo had left, someone knocked on the door, and I went to open it. I was shocked to see Queen Tamia. I bowed my head immediately, and she giggled.

"May I," She asked, and I stepped away from the door so she could enter.

She entered the room and made herself comfortable. I did not know what to do, but she made me relax when she pointed at the couch in the room, urging me to sit.

"I want you to be relaxed around us, Amelia. Most especially my husband and me. Like I said during lunch, the formalities end in the King's hall. Here we are all friends. Knowing you and Leo are together, I will consider you a friend, too," she said as I shook my head.

"We aren't really dating yet, just trying," I said so she does not jump to conclusions, and later if it didn't work out, I would be ashamed.

She smiled at me.

"You two are doing more than trying, Amelia. Leo is fond of you and looks at you in a certain way. Just hang in there," she said, and I smiled.

"Based on what Leo discussed with me. I will be taking you for a relative DNA test tomorrow to determine if you are related to the Volkovs. There is no doubt about it, but the tricky part is that your lineage is supposed to be extinct because Adrik Stepanov and his entire family were executed for treason," she said and looked at me.

"Whatever the case may be, I want you to know that you are most welcome here, and we are all rooting for you and Leo to end up together." She said and stood up.

"Do you mind joining me in the garden? I am having an evening picnic with my children; the ladies will be there too with their children. It will be nice to get to know you, Amelia," She said, smiling at me.

I smiled at her, feeling wanted.

"May I speak freely?" I asked her while we left the room, and she nodded.

"Why did you allow packs to take over lands of Alphas tried for treason? People were killed. Some lost their homes, and others, like me, became displaced and destitute.." I asked, and she stopped in her tracks.

"My husband did not authorise that, Amelia. If there is an issue, we must ask Alpha Sean because he is the head Alpha of the east. No complaints of such happenings have been brought before the council. Are you sure of this?" She asked, and I felt confused because we were made to believe they knew. I nodded, and she looked baffled.

"I will inform my husband. It is okay to take over a pack fairly, but it is wrong to displace the people. They are allowed to continue their lives. The only thing that changes is their allegiance and leadership. I will look into the matter, I promise," she said, and I was glad I came to the north; even if I did not find the family that Leo wanted me to find, I would achieve something more significant, which is getting justice for the people that were treated wrongly in the west.