Chapter 214 - Double Dinner, Double Trouble (Part 5)

Faustina stares at the door which Lilianne had shut tight. She was still in daze—did she just… have an encounter with Lilianne Disfiegro in the washroom? Faustina blinked several times before returning to her senses.

What in the world was she doing here?

This was Magierstadt. What could Lilianne be possibly doing here? Faustina then had a figurative lightbulb light up in her mind.

That's right—Lilianne has a sibling that is studying here!

Anakin!

**

The moment Anakin entered the restaurant, the first he had seen is Ezekiel Unsterblich who stood out from the crowd. He was smiling, looking at the glass pane which had the view outside of the restaurant. Anakin scowled, what was Ezekiel doing here, and is he alone? But then again this restaurant, The Firefly Feast, is owned by the Unsterblichs. It should be normal for the next school master to be loitering around here.

However, if Anakin can recall correctly, the old man earlier said that he doesn't frequent in this restaurant at all. Anakin remembers how Lilianne's face soured upon hearing this, and had all her hopes brought down.

But Lilianne headed to the washroom as soon as they got here, so she may have missed Ezekiel who was sitting on a table near the window, as if waiting for someone. He also had an unusual smile on his face, like a lovestruck person. And as if on cue, Ezekiel Unsterblich met Anakin's eyes. He then smiled as Anakin neared the table.

"If it isn't you, Lord Disfiegro," said Ezekiel. "Unexpected seeing you here. Are you out for a date?"

Anakin felt weird. Earlier he was just as cold as can be, trying to make Anakin distance himself from Faustina. They also exchanged words just few hours ago, and Anakin knew those words weren't on the friendly side.

Yet here he was… smiling at him with his sparkling, amethyst eyes.

"…I'm here to join my sister for dinner," Anakin answered. 

"Oh, Lilianne? She's here?" Ezekiel asked in surprise. 

"Y—"

"Ezekiel!"

Anakin knew he didn't need to speak as Lilianne finally sauntered towards Ezekiel's table. Her presence alone was enough to spur attention from the other diners, and not just because she was with Ezekiel Unsterblich, it was also due to her striking beauty.

Even Anakin takes pride with the appeal of his sister.

"You're also eating here too?" Lilianne started as she excitedly chatters. 

Anakin faked a cough, which then sent Lilianne snapping from her inappropriate behavior. "Ah, where are my manners—"

Ezekiel smiled and gestured both Anakin and Lilianne to avoid bowing down in courtesy. "We're in Magierstadt, so we don't have such customs. Feel yourself at home here."

Anakin isn't entirely sure what's 'feel yourself at home' means. 

"Ezekiel, since you're here," Lilianne exclaimed. "Can we join you for dinner?"

Anakin blinked, turning to Lilianne who was shamelessly pushing her luck again—and she had set her face more alluring than before. Anakin knows well that it would work, undoubtedly. He hadn't seen anyone resist Lilianne's charms. 

But it would be too awkward for Anakin, considering Ezekiel and him had unsettled affairs from earlier afternoon. However, he couldn't just meddle with Lilianne's decisions. This was what Lilianne wants, and she had come to Magierstadt for Ezekiel.

"Oh, sure." Ezekiel smiled. "With us."

Anakin blinked as Ezekiel's gaze then shifted to a person—someone behind them. Anakin and Lilianne slowly turned to whoever had come.

"…Faustina…?"

**

Faustina blinks. She had just come out of the washroom, hoping that she wouldn't encounter Lilianne… but here she was, coming back to the table only to see BOTH Anakin and Lilianne talking to Ezekiel.

"Lilianne, meet Faustina," Ezekiel smiled. "My date for the night."

Ezekiel then stood up and then ambled to draw Faustina's seat. Anakin did the same, but for Lilianne. 

Anakin and Faustina sat side by side, while Lilianne and Ezekiel sat down to each other's side as well. Lilianne was facing Anakin, while Faustina was facing Ezekiel, who now called upon the waiter to have additional orders that should arrive the same time as theirs.

Faustina still couldn't lift her gaze due to the awkward situation. Of all people she could meet, she encounters Lilianne Disfiegro. 

Lilianne, who looked quite shaken earlier, was now talking joyfully with Ezekiel. She was bubbly and was entirely different from the girl earlier who had harshly talked to Faustina in the washroom. It as if she's not Lilianne.

"Are you alright?" Anakin whispered to her.

Faustina's expression softened as she glanced to Anakin. 

So far, thanks to Anakin, she could still have a moment of peace. If Anakin wasn't here, then she this would barely be tolerable.

"How about you, Faustina?" Ezekiel asked.

Faustina blinked, not hearing their prior question. "Pardon?"

"What's your favorite food. That is the question," Lilianne crossed her arms. "Seriously, are you deaf?"

Lilianne, who looked like she could claw Faustina's eyes out at any moment, had a change of expression the moment she turned to Ezekiel. It was as if from a tiger she turned into a puppy. "Now, then. My favorite is a popular sweet that originates from the Three Daughter Country in Feuersturm. What about yours, Ezekiel?"

Ezekiel politely smiled. "Nothing in particular."

--

The dishes arrived and they all began to eat their dinner. As expected, all three were natural in etiquette. Faustina had trained over Lovellia's strict teachings but she was still getting a grip out of it—especially when she's at a dinner with high class individuals. With Orwell and Maddie, Faustina can make a mistake.

Here, she can't.

Lilianne snickered every time she paid Faustina occasional glances. Faustina figured that she must be doing a mistake in handling utensils, though she cannot figure out how.

The dinner ended with them having desert for last, which they are yet to eat. The four were talking to each other, or more likely it was Ezekiel and Lilianne who were interacting the most. 

"Is the desert to your liking, Faustina?"

Faustina blinked, lifting her gaze to Ezekiel who had just asked a question. "Huh? Ah—yes," she simply answered.

"I see," Ezekiel smiled gently to her before standing up. "I'll be going somewhere else for a bit. Anakin,"

Anakin nodded, standing up as well. He had this strange look on his face, in which Faustina couldn't really discern. 

"Alright," Anakin answers.

"Faustina," Ezekiel then leans to Faustina as he kisses the back of her palm. "I'd be back soon."

"Lilianne," Ezekiel smiled gently as well before he and Anakin left.

**

Faustina could clearly see how Lilianne's smiling face changed into a glower as she crossed her arms and legs. The air she held was intimidating that even Faustina couldn't say anything. She looked at Faustina with a displeased face.

"I don't like you," Lilianne said without much hesitation.

Usually, nobles wouldn't be frank to each other—especially those who are in lower status. The Disfiegro house was lower the Feuerlons, who are the second most powerful in the empire of Feuersturm.

Being frank means being confident over the authority you hold.

That was what Lovellia told Faustina.

"I don't like you either." Faustina answered, putting Lovellia's lessons into practice.

And Lilianne didn't seem to like Faustina's response. "You're clinging to Ezekiel like some sort of leech. Look at yourself. I have a reason to dislike you, just so you know. Ezekiel Johann Unsterblich isn't someone who you can sway with your timid, pitiful, and innocent act."

Now she was just being petty. "Then what do you call yourself?"

Lovellia reminded her to reprimand those who dare to insult her.

An insult to Faustina is an insult to the ducal house of Feuersturm.

"You presumptuous brat—! I am Feuersturm's next empress, watch your mouth!" Lilianne exclaimed, clearly fl.u.s.tered from Faustina's responses. It was as if she didn't expect them at all. And the thought of this made Faustina's brow twitch; just how does this girl look at her? Does she think that Faustina, being quiet, meant she was weak?

But then…

"Feuersturm's... next empress?" Faustina blinked.

"Yes," Lilianne Disfiegro smirked. "I am Alexander Octavius Ein Feuerkrieger's empress-to-be. So, watch your mouth when you're talking to ME."

"You do know that saying those claims could put you to prison, don't you…?" Faustina asked.

Is this how Lilianne was able to harness confidence that enabled her to think she's on a higher position than the daughter of a ducal house? If so, then she's clearly hanging around a delusion…

However, if what she says is real, then…

"It would be a matter of time before I become the queen of Feuersturm. And by the time it happens, you wouldn't be able to even talk back to me." Lilianne exclaimed, sipping red wine from the wine glass. She then leaned her back to the chair, a smug look on her face.

"…the king,"

Lilianne stares at Faustina, who now began to talk.

"Have you ever seen the king?"

Lilianne raised her brow. "Huh. Why would I?"

Faustina then smiled, which had irked Lilianne. It was as if she knew something she didn't.

"I see." Faustina exclaimed. "No wonder it sounded weird."

"What?" Lilianne asked darkly.

In Faustina's mind, Lovellia's lessons were now being put into effect as she follows the words she had left.

'When a lower noble tries to provoke you, throw them into confusion. And when they get frustrated and confused…'

Faustina then curved her lips.

'Just smile.'