The afternoon tea party is taking place amidst great anticipation. The judges of the festival, including Mr. Morten, are seated. Augustin sits in front of me, and as the judges speak, he turns to smile at me. However, all I am concerned about is that Andermis has not yet arrived.
My sisters sit up straight, attentive, listening along with my mother, while David, Kevin, and my father sit at a separate table. My tea cup is empty, and I turn to look around for the tea server. Thena sits next to me, chewing on a sweet cake noisily, lacking in feminine grace. But before I can even speak, my mother gives her a sharp look that forces her to behave. I smile with satisfaction. My sisters are all more afraid of my mother than my father. In fact, when we were young, we secretly called her the Queen of Fire because when my mother got angry, it was truly unbearable!
"Tea here, my lady!"
A familiar voice and figure are right beside me. I try to swallow my excitement, but it is not that easy. I look at Enzo in his butler outfit and smile:
"I thought there wouldn't be anyone serving anymore!"
"Fiona must have drunk more tea than what she ate," Thena teases me.
"I heard that drinking too much tea can make your teeth yellow," Diana comments.
"But mine are still white!" I tease my little sisters. I have become too friendly and they are no longer afraid of me.
"Quiet, girls!"
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My mother scolds, and immediately we all become as quiet as mice. Enzo and I secretly smile at each other. He carefully fills my teacup, as tenderly as the way he cherishes me. I can hear my heart beating like a nightingale singing to welcome the morning. Taking advantage of everyone's inattention, I slip a piece of paper into his hand. I eagerly await Enzo's expression when he reads my scribbled note. As expected, a satisfied smile appears on that bright face. Watching him walk away with a smirk, I happily finish my tea. Suddenly I remember Diana's words, wondering if my teeth will turn yellow?
Finally, the announcement time arrives after a lengthy speech. I predict that the prize will go to the Gramwell family with their "magical" apples. Honestly, I still hope that John from my family will win, but Gramwell is truly deserving! I take a piece of cake and eat it, only then noticing Augustin staring at me. I sigh wearily, but still smile back at him. I know for sure that someday there will be something between him and me, even if it's just intuition, but it feels so real. I will pray every day before God that my life will separate from his. I have dedicated my whole life to God and to this family, so I will not let my heart be stolen anymore.
I see the familiar figure of someone walking up to sit with Augustin. It must be Andermis, I guess. Strangely, when Andermis appears, I feel more comfortable than when I am alone with Augustin. But unlike my brother, Andermis has not even looked down at me since he arrived, as if completely avoiding me. I am a proud woman, and of course, that troubles me.
As the uncomfortable feeling swells within me, a loud announcement and a round of applause pull me back:
"The winner today belongs to... John Morgan of Drevolre Estate!"
I gasp! Could it be true? That we have won this year's prize? Before I can fully process the shock, I notice Augustin once again looking down at me, clapping in approval. My pride diminishes by half. I suspect this is one of his tricks, thinking it will make me happy, but it is not grand enough to make me proud. I bow my head to conceal my disappointment. A moment later, I look up at him. This time, I no longer smile or appear friendly. I regard him with a cold countenance, like a wife who no longer loves her husband. And perhaps Augustin realises this. His expression of surprise and confusion only makes me more uncomfortable. I force a smile and applaud my family's victory, but for me, it is a humiliation.