Chapter 96: Dinner

Severus and Desella ate their lunch and wrapped everything. It was noon when they finished with their shopping and travelling as they returned to the palace. It was a happy and sad day for Desella as she felt light-hearted. Today she had told everything that burdened her and now there wasn't really anything that was chaining her happiness hence, she was very cheerful. Severus too was affected with her cheerfulness and thus had a rare smile on his lips when he came back. 

Happiness is bliss but it doesn't last long.

Severus who was initially smiling paused when he saw Melanie. She was quietly sitting on the dining table sipping her green tea. Her demeanour was elegant and she behaved like a perfect princess, but do Severus care?

Neh

Truth was that he had moved on.

"Welcome back Severus and Miss Desella"

A pretty smile pasted on her face as she greeted them but her gritted teeth betrayed her emotions. Her grip was so tight on the teacup that her maids feared that it might break any second.

"Did you have fun?"

Severus judged that Melanie won't let them go unless they answered thus he took the lead this time and answered. "Fun? I think Miss Song misunderstood. We went out for some work not for having fun."

Desella who didn't expected a reply from Severus was stunned. However, this reply didn't make her happy. She had accurately asked her hidden guards to report about everything and she was aware that they didn't do any work outside. They both just went for shopping and had lunch. Like a date. A perfect date between couples The very idea of Severus smiling on some other girl made Melanie blood boil from rage. She earlier thought slandering image of Desella but she didn't expect for Severus to take stand for her. Now since he put it this way she can't slander her. Melanie drank her rage as she apologised. "Oh my. Forgive me for my frivolous remarks. I suggest you both take some rest as you look tired and exhausted. Dinner will be ready in an hour and so. I will send a maid to fetch both of you."

"Thanks, Miss Song"

Severus thanked her without a smile and held Deselal's hand as he left the dining hall.

As soon as they both disappeared from Melanie's line of sight, a crash sound resounded in the hall.

Clash!

The cup landed on the floor and shattered in million pieces. Everyone around her shuddered. Melanie noticed that she has lost her cool so she just casually stood up and shrugged her shoulder as she ordered. "What? Why are you all looking at me like that? It's just a slip. The cup slipped from my hand and shattered. Clean it up and call me when dinner is ready"

"Yes, miss."

"Yes, miss"

"Yes, miss."

Several maids bowed their heads and replied as Melanie passed through them and disappeared.

An hour soon passed away and dinner was ready. Inside the dining hall, everyone was present, expect crown prince. On the table, Melanie and Severus were sitting side by side whereas Melanie was sitting beside the chair of the crown prince. All the dishes were nicely placed on the table as everyone waited for the crown prince. 

Desella grumbled and chided the crown prince for being superfluous inside her mind. Severus didn't utter a word since he came back again, let alone smile. 

Soon the crown prince entered inside the hall and took the seat next to the seat of the king.

"I apologise for the delay to my guest"

"Not at all crown prince. We just arrived" Desella replied with a smiling face.

Soon the food was served and everyone started digging in. Entire-time Severus observed each and everyone reactions and same like Severus, Crown prince too observed him. He observed him as he was observing his enemy. 

The dinner ended soon but no one left the table. It was as if they were going to have some chit-chat.

"Severus. It's nice to have you at dinner."

"The pleasure is all ours, crown prince"

"If you don't mind can you tell about yourself and why are you inside the Reseen?"

Severus saw this coming and thus he calmly replied."I don't intend to hide anything from Crown prince, however, this matter revolves around my privacy. I hope Crown prince understand this." 

Maverick squinted his eyes when he heard his reply. 

"Everyone. Leave and stay inside your room and don't come outside until half an hour pass. Remember, I don't want anyone to be present in my premise."

The workers and maids bowed their heads in from of Maverick and quickly retreated back and scurried away. It was clear to them that something important was going to be discussed thus, everyone wanted to just hide.

Afterall ignorance is bliss.

"Now you may tell Severus. I guarantee that no other soul will hear about it other than sitting on this table."

Severus mouth set in a plain line as he looked at Maverick and then at Melanie and again at Maverick. 

Melanie was dumbfounded when she understands what Severus meant. Anger and humiliation started gushing inside her veins and her face twisted in anger. An unseen ugly expression graced her face but they disappear as soon as it came. No one noticed that expect Maverick. He sneered." Don't worry Severus. Melanie is a family and you can trust her"

Severus who earlier had a hesitating expression now had a calm face." If you don't mind, I want Desella to be the one who should enlighten you."

"Sure go ahead" Maverick didn't deny Severus request.

Desella who was earlier munching on her food as a squirrel choked on it when she hard her name.

Cough Cough.

Severus lovingly patted Desella's back and offered her a glass of water. Desella was a little shocked with this turn of events accepted the glass of water and took a sip." If you wish Parson"

"I think you all know about the calamity that befalls on Vashye hills several years ago."

Melanie and Maverick nodded their heads. In reality, no one believed it because no one in real was aware whether, what happened in Vasye hills was true or just a rumour but since they both were explaining one of the Reseen mystery, both just listened quietly.

"It was earlier rumoured that no one survived in Vashye hills but it's wrong. There was a survivor and that person was none other than Parson of that hill. No one knows how but he survived. From then onwards generation after generation, the heir of that Parson had dedicated their life to solve that mystery. So you see, the person here is none other than the last heir of that Parson. I was a wild girl who had no parents. Severus took me in and practically raised me so I became his assistance to pay for everything. I think I have cleared all of your doubts but I would be grateful if you could just keep our identities a secret. Our line of work doesn't allow us to have our identities revealed."

Maverick nodded his head in understanding and Desella just sneered. It was obvious that she didn't believe it. Not even an ounce of it but Severus and Desella didn't care. As long as Melanie can't find proof against them, she was not a threat to them. It short, it didn't matter. 

"So you are the son of that Parson. Do you have any proof of it? Why should we believe in you?" Maverick asked. 

Severus snickered when he heard him. 

Slick as a snake, it was Maverick for him.

Desella was tongue-tied and was helpless.

Eventually, Severus came to her rescue. "Crown prince, how do you want me to prove it? Do you want me to wake up my long-dead ancestors from their grave and testify it on my behalf? Isn't it ridiculous? Isn't an orphan considered as human? Isn't he birthed by a human mother? I ma sorry lord but it's s bit ridiculous to prove my existence. Desella already told you about myself. My family is long dead and I don't own any heirloom. I regret it but I can't prove my existence"

Severus low key mocked Crown prince intelligent as well as Melanie suspicion. 

How can Maverick not understand his mockery but it wasn't the right time to flare up thus he merely smiled.

"Very well Severus. I guess I don't have any other option left other than to believe what you said. However, my suspicions remain the same. I don't doubt you but, I don't believe in you too. I hope you can understand this Severus."

"Of course Crown prince"

"Very well then Severus. Since you understand me then I don't doubt you will defy my request. I request you to spend the rest of your days in my palace. Whatever you want to find we will help you. I will provide you resources so you need not to worry."

Maverick smiled while showing his perfect pair of teeth.

Severus knew that Maverick wanted to trap him and unfortunately, he is trapped. He can't decline his request otherwise his suspicions will be proved right and if he agrees then Maverick will have all the time in the world to observe him and dug truth out of him.

"We will oblige crown prince" Severus bowed his head in respect.