Maybe Someday

Roll 3 Scene 14 - A Family Dinner, Take 2

December 20th, 2019

They could hear the laughter coming from the inside of the dining room before the maids even opened the wooden door. The conversation stopped; ten pairs of eyes turned toward them as they stepped inside. Nith pulled his hand away from Kate's, putting them inside his pocket.

Nith breathed out, stepping in. 

The long wooden table in the center was decorated with candles and lace; vases filled with fresh flowers from the Aurum garden were in the middle as centerpieces. The chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow to the room.

It looked like something out of 1880 - which probably was true since it was Kate's great-great-great-great-grandfather who had built the mansion. He was a viscount until the royals chased him out of the capital, taking away his title, and lessening him to a baron. He was lucky that only took his title, not his life, for the crime they charged him with.

When Lia was young, she would call this the castle room. And she would beg their mother to bring her here because she also wanted to have her dinners like a princess, like Kate. 

Kate, on the other hand, would beg Ann to take her home with them. She hated the emptiness this house screamed off or her mother's own screams echoing through the empty halls.

Her mother, who was sitting right in front of Nith.

"Best of luck," Kate whispered.

Nith walked toward the older blonde woman. "Beth, it's lovely to see you again." She sat next to Clide at the table, wearing a blouse and skirt that matched the flowers. Her strawberry blonde hair - a shade lighter than Kate's - was styled in a French roll updo.

"Yes, sit." She barely gave him a glance.

Nith leaned back toward Kate. "Lia was the one who made us late. Why is she giving me the cold shoulder?"

"Cause Lia said it was you," Kate murmured back.

"Fuck."

Kate chuckled, pulling him to the other side of the table. They sat how they always would - Clide sat at the head of the table, Kate and Beth on both sides. Nith's seat was the one beside Kate's. Lia sat next to Beth, leaving the other chair for Nick. Ann would always sit between Nith and Ian.

And like always, her seat stayed empty.

Beth chimed into her wineglass with a fork and the maids started to bring out the food.

Dinners at the Aurum's was a grand affair. Beth Aurum, a culinary grad, invariably took over this part of their family gathering ever since she quit working as a chef. Nith couldn't remember if there was ever a time when Beth served less than a three-course meal to the table.

Tonight was no exception. Beth as without fail, went above and beyond by preparing a six-course meal for them. From goat cheese crostini with fig-olive tapenade as hor's d'oeuvre and pumpkin sage bisque for the soup and mushrooms stuffed with pecorino, romano, garlic, and bread crumbs as appetizers. Just as they finished those, the next course was being served: a simple Greek salad with olives, lettuce, red onions, and feta.

Nith took the last bite of his salad before the main course was placed on the table. The heavenly aroma of the roasted duck with an orange-ginger graze filled the air.

His stomach felt stuffed, but his mouth watered nonetheless.

"How long do you plan to stay, Nithan?"

This was the first time Beth had addressed him directly tonight. Nith stopped cutting his duck piece. "Probably two more weeks. It has been a while since I came back." He took a bite. The meat melted in his mouth, almost making him moan."This tastes amazing!"