Ch. 7: Dinner

Astrella's point of view

Ciejill and I remained motionless and found it difficult to breathe as we gradually became aware of their closeness. We held our breath, waiting for them to take action. "So, what are you two talking about?" Keyu's harsh voice abruptly broke the uncomfortable silence.

He stepped into view, smirking. “I could’ve sworn I heard the word ‘escape.’ Really hurts my ears to hear that.” His tone was mocking, but his glare felt like a warning.

I shot him a cold look. “"You look like an asshole, Mushrooms," I muttered under my breath, annoyed at how effortlessly he ruined my already sour mood.

Behind him, Dax had been leaning in a relaxed manner against the doorway, his arms folded, his posture looking unassuming but emanating an air of command. He did not utter a single word; instead, he simply observed us with that infuriatingly arrogant frown, as if he already knew every single idea that was going through my head. Bastard.

“Dinner’s ready,” Keyu announced, clapping his hands like this was a party. “I cooked something delicious. You’re gonna love it. Promise.” His grin widened, teetering on the edge of deranged.

The sound of earlier, including the groaning and the banging, came flooding back into my thoughts. I clenched my hands, trying not to focus on it, despite the fact that the anxiety was coiled tightly in my chest.

Keyu gestured for us to get up and follow him. Ciejill and I reluctantly followed him, without uttering a word. They didn’t deserve our words.

As we stepped into the corridor, I couldn’t help but glance around. No blood. No trace of a struggle. Nothing. But I knew what I heard. Felt it. Something had happened here, and I wasn’t crazy. Not yet, anyway. 

Keyu was the one who led the way, and his whistle could be heard throughout the eerie silence. Ciejill, who was standing next to me, was holding her lollipop even more tightly, and just for a change, I didn't mind the silence. In any case, my thoughts were too loud to be ignored.

We made our way through an endless maze of hallways, past a series of imposing doors, until we finally reached an elevator. My stomach churned as we descended. An underground level? Seriously? This mansion—or palace, as it seemed—had more secrets than I could wrap my head around.

Dax followed us like a shadow, remaining silent and lingering in the distance. I paid him no attention. I decided that the less I thought about him, the better.

The question is, how many floors does this building even have? It is comparable to a maze. I'm going to climb to the highest point and shove all of these guys off if I ever get the chance to get out.  A fitting end for assholes like them.

When the elevator doors slid open, we entered a dining room that could’ve come straight out of a royal palace. My jaw almost hit the floor. Ornate chandeliers, intricate carvings on the walls, and a massive dining table that screamed wealth. A mansion? No. This was something else entirely.

Keyu led us to the table with a grin plastered on his face. Dax was still right behind me, his presence suffocating. I avoided looking at him as I sat down. Unfortunately, he chose the seat right next to mine, while Keyu and Ciejill sat across from us.

Several Italian foods, including pasta, risottos, fresh bread, and sumptuous desserts, were piled high on the table. In spite of my nerve endings, my stomach released a growl.

I couldn't help but draw attention to Ciejill as we began our meal. As if she were a child, she savagely attacked her plate, making a mess that was somehow appealing. Her wide-eyed delight at the food seemed to be both confusing and tragic at the same time. How could someone so beautiful be so lost?

Maybe I could help her, I thought, watching her giggle at something Keyu said. Maybe there’s still a part of her that remembers who she really is. Maybe, just maybe, I can give her a way out of this madness.

Keyu and Dax were deep in conversation while I focused on the plate in front of me, savoring the food like it was my last meal. Italian cuisine had a way of distracting even the most stressed-out prisoner.

“Tomorrow, we’re attending a royal charity ball,” Dax said, his tone clipped and businesslike. “You’ll need to prepare yourself.”

I paused mid-bite, shooting him a glare. “Why would I go? Just take Ciejill. She seems like she’d enjoy that sort of thing.”

“Keyu will bring her,” Dax replied smoothly, not missing a beat. His gaze locked on mine, calm but firm. “You’re coming with me. Is there a problem with that?”

I rolled my eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn’t fall out of my head. “Whatever,” I muttered, turning my attention back to my plate. Talking to Dax felt like arguing with a wall—pointless and exhausting.

Instead, I focused on Ciejill. She was nibbling on a breadstick, completely oblivious to the tension in the air. At least she was easy to talk to. Every now and then, we exchanged small talk, her innocent curiosity a strange balm to my frayed nerves.

Meanwhile, Dax and Keyu continued their hushed conversation, their voices blending into the background noise. I didn’t care to listen. The less I knew about their plans, the less tempted I’d be to shove a fork in someone’s eye.

“Don’t worry,” Ciejill said suddenly, breaking the tension with a reassuring smile. “I’ll be with you tomorrow. Don’t mind them, they’re just jerks, like you said.”

Her grin was wide and genuine, though there was something stuck in her teeth. I stared at it for a moment, trying to decide if it was food or something else.

I nodded, my thoughts already drifting elsewhere. Tomorrow. A royal charity ball? It might just be the perfect opportunity to escape. My best shot at getting out of here.

I’d have to play nice, stay under the radar, and act like I wasn’t already mapping out the exits in my head. If I could get Ciejill to help me without blowing our cover, even better.

Smiling faintly, I glanced at her again. She seemed harmless enough, innocent, even. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to her than met the eye.