A set of double doors were opened for her as she reached the end of a hall. The long table was set with dozens of platters of food. Most of the placed chairs filled with bodies. Charlie looked around until she saw Wade. When they made eye contact, he dropped his fork. He quickly stood and placed his napkin on the table. Everyone turned to see her as the doors closed behind her. She performed a polished curtsy as he approached.

“Pardon me for the intrusion. Miss Cynthia told me that I was called to the meal,” She whispered, “Lord Wade, if you would introduce me?”

“Of—of course,” He cleared his throat and walked to her side, “Everyone, this is Lady Charlotte.”

“Wonderful to meet all of you,” She smiled, “Please, save all formal introductions until after you’ve finished your meals. I do not want to intrude more than I already have.”

“My lady, if you’d follow me.”

“Thank you, Miss Cynthia,” She bowed her head, “I appreciate your help this morning. I think you’ve done a wonderful job as my helper this morning. I would love for you to continue to take the role for me.”

“You’re very welcome, Miss Charlotte,” The older woman blinked at the praise, “It would be an honor if I am appointed that position.”

“I’ll allow it,” The woman at the head of the table said.

Charlie ignored the dozens of eyes on her as Wade offered his arm. She wrapped her hands around it and followed him to his chair. He pulled back the one next to his and she sat in it. As he pushed her chair into the table, a myriad of servants rushed to place utensils in front of her.

“Please, my lady, allow me to serve you,” Wade whispered as he stood and reached towards her plate.

“My lord, you should let them do their job,” She placed a hand on his arm, “I do not have much of an appetite. I’m afraid you may try to over feed me.”

His face burned bright red as he looked down at his own plate. Charlie smiled at each of the servers that placed a small portion of food on her porcelain plate that reminded her of her grandmother’s fine China.

“What would you like to drink, Miss Charlotte?” A man seated at the table said.

He was older with the same chocolate brown hair and green eyes as Wade. She assumed that it was an older brother, given the full beard and subtle streaks of white in his hair. With his militaristic garb, she thought he likely travelled more often than his siblings. He was probably the reason Wade wanted an adventure so badly.

Charlie knew that he stressed the word to imply he did not approve of her.

“Water will be perfectly acceptable.”

“Nonsense,” He laughed, “I hear you’re a well-traveled woman –with multiple attunements, no less! Enlighten me on what you usual drink with your meals.”

“Forgive me for asking, but I’m not acquainted this region, so I’m at a disadvantage for your name and title,” She pulled the dark green napkin and placed it in her lap, “Lord Wade, would you mind introducing us?”

“Oh! Yes, apologies,” He hadn’t touched his food since Charlie entered the room, “Lady Charlotte, this is my eldest brother, Viscount Wayne Everleigh.”

She felt how tense the man at her side was and decided to show him that she would, in fact, be on her best behavior.

“A pleasure to meet you, Viscount,” She tilted her head, “If you would indulge me on what you meant with your question?”

“I said you seem to be a well-traveled woman, as my brother said you were alone when you met,” He dabbed his napkin at the corners of his mouth, “I’m curious as to what you’d prefer drink over the usual wine or water.”

The test to see what she was all about began. She expected as much given the weird circumstances she arrived in and how Wade obdurately said he wanted to marry her. With her attitude and personality, it’s likely why he asked her to not embarrass him.

Time to put on the show they wouldn’t know what to do with, using her sagacious mental secretary.

“In my time in a Leonie pride, I found that the zooberry is remarkably tasteful when made into a puree and watered down to a thin juice,” She gathered a small bite of a curious looking sludge on her spoon “Though, I don’t think it could compare to the siclefruit of the Moggaer mountains. I think the sweetness is understated enough to make a wonderful tea. I regretfully never had an opportunity to test that theory.”

“Siclefruit? I’ve never heard of such,” He raised an eyebrow, “Where would you have found that?”

Charlie understood that he politely called her a liar and decided to play along. She silently pulled up the map and scanned for land markers of where she was.

“In the inlet crest of the Tacombie lake, past the peaks of Ranford Mountain. There’s a clearing with a bundle of blue barked trees that produce the berry,” She placed her spoon down, “No bigger than an olive, but the color of ice. It’s quite rare and considered a delicacy by the lord of that region. If you had a map, I could point out the location I stayed in.”

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“What were you doing in—”

“Brother, Miss Charlotte is famished after being incapacitated for so long,” The older woman chuckled, “Let the poor girl eat.”

Charlie cut a small piece of a yellow, sponge substance. The servers on the other side of the table held their breath as she examined it. When she brought her fork to her mouth, Wade cleared his throat to try and get her attention. He shook his head covertly enough to signal her not to eat it.

Being the obstinate woman she was, of course she did not listen. Everyone at the table stared at her as she took a bite. The familiar taste of roadkill reminded her of where she had seen the grotesquely yellow sludge before. Instead of reacting negatively, she steeled her expression. She continued to eat it without a reaction, to the horror of the people around her.

Charlie thought of a question and waited for Adiona to give her the answer.

> Mosmeato is native to the Ferigor desert but can be found in the woods between Fegior and Filigor during the cooler months of the year.

“I’m surprised you could find Mosmeato this far south at this time of year,” She dabbed at the corners of her mouth with a napkin, “Most Leonie prides cull them from the outer rims of Ferigor at the request of their neighbors.”

She tried not to giggle at the stunned faces around her. She turned to her left with a soft blush.

“Lord Wade, did you request this to make me feel more at home? That’s very kind of you. I barely mentioned the Leonies when we met,” She placed her hand on his on the top of his and squeezed gently, “You shouldn’t have. It’s an acquired taste and I would hate it go to waste.”

When she removed her hand to reach for the goblet of water in front of her, she flicked her pinky out and brought it to her lips. Just as she suspected, the water had an odd, tainted flavor as well.

> Aldonis berry extract has been added to this drink. Side effects include: upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, or formation of ulcers. At certain tolerances, other side effects include reduction in acne, digestive aid, and boosted vitamin intake.

Charlie readied herself with a sip and realized it tasted like cranberries. She slowly drank the entire glass.

“Aldonis berries? Perfectly prepared too,” She forced a blush, “You’ve outdone yourself with your hospitality.”

Another man at the table stuttered, “How would you—”

“Lord Walton, my youngest older brother,” Wade interrupted.

“I was lucky enough to meet a friendly fae that showed me how difficult it is to leave just the faintest hint of flavor before some truly terrible side effects take place,” She handed her glass to the server, “If you would be so kind to grab me another. This ratio is clearly done by a master that knows this lesser side effects of the berry.”

“Which would be…?” The man’s face twitched.

“If the berry is picked at the perfect instant and prepared just right,” She waited until the water was refilled, “It can boost one’s immune system. It’s honestly a touching gift given my sudden sickness. It’s too much after letting me rest here.”

She finished the second glass with a smile as Adiona continued to give her information.

“Some fairies stay up for weeks on end to pluck and preserve them for medicine,” She placed the glass down, “My compliments to whoever prepared the drink.”

As the group around her stared at her with blank faces, she feigned confusion.

“I’m sorry if I offended anyone. I’m not fully aware of the customs here,” She placed her napkin on the table, “Forgive me.”

“Nonsense, my lady,” Wade smiled proudly, “My family is just fascinated with your knowledge, as am I.”

“Yes, Miss Charlotte,” An older brother chuckled, “By chance, I see you are wearing the dress but not the ring my brother gave you. Is there a reason?”

“I feel Lord Wade and I should get to know each other better before we discuss anything like marriage,” She placed her fork into something she assumed was eggs, “I couldn’t possible wear something so precious without that sort of commitment. However, he insisted I wear something more appropriate to breakfast. He and Miss Cynthia ensure me this was a perfectly acceptable gift to indulge myself with.”

“Our youngest brother has always been a bit eccentric,” Another chuckled, “I have to say I’m shocked you wouldn’t want to marry the boy.”

“Lady Charlotte, that is my second eldest brother, Baron Ward,” Wade frowned, “It seems my family does not want to let you eat in peace.”

“He’s a bit of a romantic, yes,” She smiled sweetly, “Though, I would have to argue that Lord Wade is at the age and position to be called a man, is he not?”

The older brother glared at her, “And how would you know that?”

“I don’t know what you’re implying,” She raised an eyebrow, “But if a boy takes it upon himself to carry an ill woman to his estate, sit at her bedside for a month, and introduce her to his family… I wonder what exactly a man would do.”

Wade’s face turned red as his brother snorted in anger.

“Then why wouldn’t you want to marry the man?” Another man asked.

“Baron,” She took another sip of water to add an overly dramatic pause.

Charlie held up a napkin to her mouth and sniffled lightly. When she felt all the eyes in the room on her, she dabbed at the corner of her eyes.

“I was recently widowed. I believe giving myself enough time to grieve my late husband’s death is warranted.”

“My lady, you didn’t need to tell them that,” Wade whispered, “Your personal affairs are none of their business.”

“It is fine,” She exaggeratedly sniffled, “Most would assume something terrible if I didn’t have a reason to deny you so adamantly, my lord.”

“Dame Bryza did not tell me about that,” The older woman looked over her shoulder at one of the servants that poured a red liquid into her glass, “She also presented you in a much different manner than I’m seeing you now.”

“Oh, please forgive me…?” Charlie looked at Wade.

“That is my sister, Countess Wanda Everleigh.”

“Forgive me, Countess,” She bowed her head again, “I was sickly when I first met Lord Wade and Dame Bryza. The infection seemed to take my manners away. Especially travelling alone for so long, one must put up with a strong front. I will have to apologize to her when I see her again.”

“So, the state in which she found you both in was wrong?”

“Sister!” Wade slammed his hands on the table.

“Forgive me, Countess,” Charlie blushed, “Is that an appropriate discussion for lunch?”

“My manners,” She picked up her glass and sipped from it, “All, I think it is time we stop interrogating the poor woman and let her eat in peace, no? Her food must be getting cold. Servants, why don’t you give her a new plate?”

“That’s unnecessary,” Charlie smiled, “I would hate to waste food. I can finish what I have.”

“Lady Charlotte, I think you should let them get you a new plate,” Wade insisted.

“If you think so, my lord,” She looked to the servant at her side, “Thank you.”

Another plate of more appetizing food was placed in front of her. Her water was whisked away quickly and replaced with something new. Wade leaned over to whisper in her ear.

“I had no idea that you were so well equipped for…”

“High society discussions?” She finished his sentence, “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, my lord.”

“I am glad I no longer have to worry.”

“It seems you’ll only have to worry about embarrassing yourself,” She teased.

He quickly kissed her cheek before returning to his meal. Charlie giggled and grabbed her fork again.

“Wade!” His sister scoffed, “That’s not appropriate at the breakfast table.”

“Forgive me, dear sister,” He blushed, “I let my emotions get the best of me.”