Chapter 49 Congratulations

Dinner had been served, Isabella began to detail an excessive amount of cutlery and plates that were symmetrically arranged in front of the young woman.

She had taken some protocol classes, but the basics and definitely, this was on another level, so she didn't really know where to start.

The young woman reviewed the lessons received mentally, the cutlery is taken from the outside in, the instructor had explained to her, but what about the cutlery that was on top?

Maximo was still focused on his thoughts, without even noticing his spouse's moment of confusion and doubts, even his father was talking to him, but he couldn't concentrate on anything other than the sad expression he had seen in Isabella, which was the only thing that worried him at that moment.

Meanwhile, although Emily had planned a little prank for the homeless woman, now, the last thing she thought about was that.

Emily stirred in her seat, nervous, Aiden was sitting next to her, she could feel how he gave her intense sideways glances, just having him there, she felt a shudder.

What had he said to her, what did she like? Emily's heart jumped at the memory, incredulous and at the same time nervous.

The little princess had planned to humiliate the homeless woman, mocking her in front of everyone, for not even knowing how to eat at an elegant dinner, in addition to making her throw a plate or glass, to make her father, Maximilian, upset with the supposed fete.

Everyone would look at her contemptuously or mockingly and that was what she enjoyed.

However, things had changed, Aiden was by her side and not only did Emily stop the fact that she knew he would lash out at her if he did anything to Isabella. Now it was also her feelings that had her confused.

"But what's wrong with me?" Emily rebuked herself, momentarily, in a second of illumination.

"No! I can't fall in love with the womanizing dog! What am I thinking?! I'm sure this is all part of his plan, he wants to make me fall in love and then, he's going to make fun of me, just as I had made fun of him and the homeless woman, and in the end...! He'll throw me out! Just as he has already done with the other women, when he gets tired of me, he will leave me."

It was painful just thinking about it, a shudder of rage and helplessness, ran through her, "What a fool I am! How am I going to fall into that?"

Emily looked up at Isabella, the young woman was still looking at the cutlery with some doubt, a mischievous smile formed on the princess's expression.

Aiden glanced at her, noticing the way Emily had looked up at Isabella with a gleam of evil, while her cousin suffered detailing each cutlery without knowing which one to take.

Isabella seemed to be waiting for the staff to finish pouring the champagne and for someone to start eating, so she could guide herself, and Emily evidently held back a laugh at that.

A small feeling of anger began to form in Aiden, which spoiled girl had to grow up and he would take care of it, but in the meantime, he had to help his cousin.

So, breaking all protocol, before the staff finished pouring the drink to the last guest and before the host said anything, or, rather, before anyone else realized what was happening with Isabella, Aiden took the cutlery that needed to be used and made a discreet sign to his cousin, teaching him what to do.

Isabella smiled shyly at him from across the table, nodding, moved, grateful from the bottom of her heart that Aiden, her cousin, had always been there to help her.

Emily noticed what happened and pursed her lips in a line in anger, she wasn't going to leave things like that.

Once the last glass of the guests was full, Maximilian got up, giving a short speech, and then offered a toast and everyone raised their glasses.

It was the perfect moment, it was what Emily expected, she leaned back slightly in her seat, stretching her leg all the way out.

While Isabella had the cup in her hand and turned all her attention to Maximilian, Emily was preparing to drop a stitch under the table, in order to make her drop the glass, which would not only break, but also spill the liquid on her spouse.

The rumble of the glass sounded, as soon as it hit the floor, everyone turned to the noise.

Emily had her eyes wide open with a surprised expression, the princess's glass had fallen off.

Aiden had noticed the movement under the table and he was next to her, so he only needed to lower his hand discreetly, sliding it over one of the princess's thighs, exerting a slight pressure on him, and that was enough for the glass that was not to fall, Emily's.

"Emily! Do you know how much that cup costs?! Maximilian growled with a wrinkled brow.

Immediately, a staff member jumped in to clean up the mess, while she still watched the situation in confusion, feeling a surprising heat run through her body.

His body trembled slightly at his father's scream.

“I... I'm sorry, father," Emily stammered, looking down and feeling a startle in her chest.

Isabella watched the scene perplexed. Was Emily scolded for that? Was a broken glass the cause of so much scandal? I didn't understand why that incident seemed to be so serious, especially for such well-to-do people.

All the guests looked at the scene with surprise. Maximilian, who had always behaved like a kind man in front of the public, was showing a different side that those present had never seen angry.

Máximo tensed when he heard the scream, his expression became more serious as he looked at his father.

"It's not because of the cost," Maximilian explained, taking a deep breath as he realized the attention he was attracting. "You know how much we value these things. They are antiques that have been in the family for decades and have been passed down from generation to generation.

"I know, father... I'm sorry," Emily muttered, visibly embarrassed and angry, her face flushed.

"All right, daughter," replied Maximilian, settling into his seat. "I only ask you, as well as everyone, to be more careful.

That had been strange for everyone, suddenly Maximilian had exploded for nothing and in a moment, he was back to being the kind man he had always been.

Everyone began to eat, Emily was still tense and increasingly full of rage, how had that guy dared to do what he did? Aiden had humiliated her.

He had squeezed her thigh, he was to blame for her throwing the cup and it was all the fault of the homeless woman, to protect her.

Didn't she like him, and yet she was capable of giving him a hard time like that? It was all a lie of Aiden's, she weighed, as she watched as the dog guided Isabella, dish after dish, with dinner protocol.

After a delicious dessert, Maximilian invited everyone to go to the game room, as it was time to have a little fun to close the night with a flourish.

A large living room inside the mansion, with a bar and bartender, a couple of pool tables, poker, table football, darts, even ping-pong boards, an elegantly adorned, dimly dark space with several sofas and other amenities.

As they entered, Isabella approached to talk a little more with Aiden, going forward, Maximo watched them from further back.

"I congratulate you, my son. "I'm very proud," Maximilian whispered close to Maximo's ear, pulling him out of his thoughts.

"What?"

"That girl," said Maximilian, pointing surreptitiously to Isabella. "It's obvious that she's in love with you." You did it and in such a short time.

His father's words caused a commotion inside Máximo. Isabella, in love? Could it be true? His heart began pounding as he watched his spouse from a distance.

"No, I don't think so...

"Oh, please, don't turn a blind eye," Maximilian said with a satisfied smile. “It is obvious. You just have to see how she looks at you, how she blushes next to you, the way she moves when you're close to her. Maximo frowned when he saw Isabella laughing with Aiden. - Make no mistake, that laugh is different. She is friendly with her cousin, she appreciates him... But with you, it's something else. It's love, I know how to recognize it.

"Does she love me?" Maximus whispered, more to himself than to his father.

He looked at Isabella, incredulous, at the same time that a new emotion grew inside him, something that he could not explain and that kept him there, absorbed in his spouse.

"I'm sure that in a couple of months we'll have the news of the heir. Maximilian patted his son's shoulder, reminding him once more, with those words, of the agreement they had talked about, leaving him there, even more thoughtful.