Chapter 168 - Dinner Talk

"Okay, fine I am silly. Anyway, it's almost dinner time so come down. I will go and look of Sam." Ash said as he touched his flicked portion and exited the room with Irene waving towards him with a smiling face.

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"Duke Smith is back in the empire? We didn't knew it and he is even throwing a birthday party? How strange..." Irene said as she glanced at her invitation with a strange feeling.

"Even more werid is the fact that, he did all this while Rose was at the palace...." Irene mumbled as she rose from the bed and looked at the mirror.

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"There is something I don't know yet...the Willson family is not as it looks like." Irene said as she remembered Rose and her confession a the farewell party.

"Lady, it's time for dinner." Hana said while knocking at the door.

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"I am coming just a second." Irene said as she combed her hair and opened the door.

"My Lady, let's go everyone is waiting for you." 

"So fast? Is father present there too?" Irene asked as she looked at Hana.

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"Yes, the lord has just arrived so he would be joining you shortly." Hana said as she smiled at her and with a fee more steps they reached the dinning hall which doors were pushed open by Hana.

"Greetings to everyone." Irene said as she entered the room and saw Ash and Sam sitting at their respected seats ready to eat.

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"For whom are you guys waiting?" Irene asked as she looked at their hungry expression.

"We have been waiting for Lady Witnwlwr and the Lord to come." Sam said as she bowed towards her.

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"Waiting for us? And why would you do so? If you are hungry then you can just eat first." Irene said as she patted her head.

"But Lady Winter that would be disrespectful towards Lord Winter." Sam said as she looked over Ash for help as she was bringing bombarded with questions.

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"It would only be disrespectful when Father would take it to his heart but not when you are extremely hungry and helpless." Irene said as she gave her a slice of steak.

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"Thats his big heart which I would truly respect but still it is my duty to wait for him which is a silent way of respecting and worshipping him." Sam gave out her final answer and Irene who was very much impressed by her clapped her hands and patted her back.

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"I am impressed although Lady Maxim is young she still values people and the norms not because they are to but because they are right." Irene said as she looked at her.

"Was Lady Winter testing me?" Sam asked as she looked at her and much to her surprise Irene nodded her head.

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"I am sorry if I surprised you but as the eldest daughter I need to be more carefull of thr people around our family. So, I have to check them myself and even though Lady Maxim comes form someone well known to father I still can't let you get off the hook." Irene explained as she stood up and bowed 90° towards her.

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"Lady Winter, I understand your concern and I agree with your points and don't worry your questions didn't make me uncomfortable and all. More then that I am glad to see how protective and carefull Lady Witner is when it comes to the winter family. I wish I too can be like you." Sam said as she smiled while looking at Irene with stars in her eyes.

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"Wow! Did you change your Idol form Sister Molly to Sister Irene?" Ash who knew all along about what was happen asked as he placed his lazy head on her shoulders.

"Of course not! As a knight I wan to be like Lady Smith and as a person I wish to become like Lady Winter." Sam said as she smiled while looking at Irene and then glaring at Ash.

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"Looks like you guys started a vey heated discussion while waiting for me." Raymond who was able to hear their voices from the down floor asked as entered the room wearing a long white coat and a pair of black paints with his hair just washed and brushed still giving out the sweet shampoo fragrance.

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"Father!" 

"Greetings to Lord Winter." Both the winter siblings and Sam said as tbye stood form their seats and bowed towards him.

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"Don't stand up you all and eat up." Raymond who sat down on his seat said as he signalled them to seat in their respected seats.

"Father, please start first." Irene said as she looked at Raymond and then at Sam.

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"Hmm, oh okay." Raymond said as he took a small piece of potato and ate it up and after him three of them started to eat their dinner too.

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The dinner unlike always was more extravagant and larger quantities today and the reason was sitting right beside Raymond eating the egg rolls with delight.

"Sister, why do.you like the egg rolls so much?" Ash asked as he gave her one form his side.

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"My love for egg rolls is something divine which can't be explained and can only be felt." Irene said dramatically as she ate the last egg rool and then moved onto other food items.

"Looks like Lady Witner and I have opposite taste when it comes to food." Sam said as she looked at Irene's plate and then at hers.

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"Seems so but wow Lady Maxim you eat vegetables so well. No wonder your physic is almost the same as Ash. Ash you should eat vegetables too or else she will end up becoming more taller and stronger then you, do you understand?" 

"Yes, Yes I understand." Ash said as she chewed a spinach leaf juts in one go making several faces.

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"Father, we gave received an invitation form the dukedom they are inviting us at the Duke's upcoming birthday party." Ash said as he galnced at Raymond whose hands stopped whole listing to his words.

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"His birthday party? The Duke is seriously throwing a birthday party that too at such a age and time?" Raymond who just couldn't believe his ears said as he kept down his glass of wine and gazed at the wall.

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"Why? What's werid at throwing a birthday party for themselves? And why would age matter?" Sam questioned as she looked at Raymond who just smiled at her rebelling questions.

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"Sam that--"

"Irene let me answer her." Raymond said as he looked at Irene.

"So, little lady we are not against throwing birthday party for themselves but the one we are taking about is Duke Willson the most powerful person of the solar empire. He comes just next to the royal family. So everything he does is always big and with some hidden motive which can give headace to others." Raymond explained as he took a sip of his wine.

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"And about the age, Duke Willson is the perfect who cares the most about his reputation so throwing a party at such a age would only make him a laughing stock." Irene continued as she looked at Ash.

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"So silly Samy we are worried about the tricks he is going to play and thinking of ways to save ourselves just incase we get involved in his mind games." Ash said as he placed a spoonful of pastry inside Sam mouth which was slightly open.

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"---Oh I see, so that's the case here----" Sam said as she looked at her plate and started eating silently probably because she is embrassed.

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Irene who noticed her sudden gloomy mode tired to raise her spirits,

"By the way, Lady Maxim, what is your favorite colour?" 

"My favorite color....umm, I like everything. So choosing one is tough." Sam said as she looked at Ash.

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(A/N: she looks over Ash whenever nervous or intimidated)

"I see, no worries. Both of us are going out tomorrow. I hope Ash told you about it, didn't he?" Irene asked as she saw a big question mark on Sam's face.

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"I got busy with some work....so, I forgot to inform her. It's nice that Sister bought it up." Ash said as he starched the back of his neck while receiving a galre form Sam.

"Thats nice, Samira I am telling you. If Irene is with you then you don't have to worry about anything else." Raymond said as he smiled while eating his food.

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"Yes, I would keep that in mind and thanks for letting me join you." Sam said politely as she bowed towards her.

"Its nothing big. I am just doing a favour to my little brother and after being locked at the palce for a month I really miss the fresh air of the capital." Irene said as she looked at Ash whose ears turned red form the sudden attack.

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"Sis!" 

"Oh was that supposed to be a secret?" Irene said as she placed a hand on her mouth while making a innocent face making every one to laugh.

"Enough you kids. Have your food it's getting cold.." Raymond said as he smiled towards them and just like that the return of Irene at the winter mansion passed happily and peacefully.