To Bed With No Dinner

The rain had not stopped that night, nor had it stopped the next day. Adelaide knew that her husband was on to her, he knew she had left last night. It was only a matter of time before he blew, and she hoped it wasn't in front of her children. Adrian, 17, her oldest, Amarante, 16, her middle child and only girl, and Ame, 10, her youngest boy. But that wish was not to be fulfilled.1

The table was strangely quiet, even the slaves knew something was going to happen. The air was tense, and as the wine was served it finally broke.2

"Well Adelaide, dearest, do you mind telling the children where you went last night." Amarante, who was sitting across from Adrian, put her glass down and glanced up at him quickly. Adrian nodded.3

"Father, perhaps I should put Ame to bed..."4

"NO, Adrian. Allow your mother to speak, I think we all deserve to hear this." Adrian gave Amarante a helpless look and turned to his mother.5

"Acacius, please-"6

"PLEASE WHAT, ADELAIDE?" He screamed, slamming the table with his fist, causing the children to jump. The slaves that stood in the room were motionless. He continued in a dangerously calm voice. "Now, tell us what you were doing last night." Adelaide looked at her children, sorry they had to see this from their father.7

"That is none of your concern."8

"What?"9

"I said-"10

"I KNOW WHAT YOU SAID!!!!" Acacius bellowed jumping up from his seat. Ame, who sat between Amarante and his father, scooted closer to his sister, who put her hand in his, but dared not do anything more. Composing himself, Acacius sat back down.11

"Tulian," he said to a slave girl, who jumped at her name.12

"Yes, monsieur." She answered timidly. Acacius smiled wickedly at his wife.13

"Bring dinner now, but only for four people. Amarante isn't hungry, I think she may be coming down with the flu." Adelaide's face shot up and she opened her mouth to protest, but Adrian beat her to it.14

"Father, I really must protest-"15

"Quiet Adrian." Adrian closed his mouth, but looked at his sister, unsure of what else to do.16

"Acacius, please-" Adelaide started.17

"I SAID QUIET!!!" 18

Amarante nodded to her mother and gave her brothers small smiles.19

"Very well father." She said, standing. Walking to his side, she waited until he presented his cheek, which she kissed. Then she walked to the front hall, where she was accompanied by her slave to her room.20

Armand watched the whole scene with distaste. How could this Acacius be so cruel to his daughter, and especially Adelaide? Armand could tell that by sending Amarante up to bed without dinner, when she had done nothing, was one of the things that would hurt Adelaide the most. When Amarante started up the stair case to her room, Armand left also, fixing his sights on the middle child for a moment. If he was going to play angel, he needed information. He reached the balcony to the room, minutes before she would, and took his time to look around. The window into the room was closed, due to the rain, and sheer white curtains covered them. The room itself was very much to Armand's liking, the bed's comforter was a deep red, and the sheets were black satin. The canopy around the bed was the same deep red as the comforter, but it was half way open. The walls were a rich, deep gold and the carpet was plush and soft. Armand opened the window and walked in. Closing it, he went to hide in the closet, just as Amarante walked in.21

"Raiya, leave me." She said while taking out the stick that held up her hair.22

"Yes, madam." The slave said, bowing low and shutting the door behind her as she left. Armand watched her as she undid her dress with care, and folded it to keep it from getting dirty. Slipping her shoes off she put them under her bed. Sighing she walked over to her drawer, which she opened and pulled out a white gown with laced sides. It was silk and long, but it split at the sides. Armand heard her stomach growl and again he felt a distaste for her father. Amarante frowned and rubbed her stomach hungrily.23

"Traitor." She mummerd to herself, smiling at her own joke. Sitting at her vanity, she began brushing her long blond hair, a trait she had obviously gotten from her father. 24

'My Angel of Mercy, where art thou?' Armand heard in his mind. He knew it was Adelaide, and he needed to leave, but how? The mirror reflected right on the closet. Suddenly, Amarante dropped her brush. As she bent down to pick it up, Armand stepped out of the closet. Amarante straightened with the brush in hand, and saw his reflection in the mirror. Nearly crying out, she turned, knocking over her chair. No one was there. Feeling slightly foolish she put the brush down on her desk.25

"Maybe I am catching the flu." She said to herself, when she noticed her window was open. Walking to it slowly, she looked around, trying to see through the pelting rain outside. Suddenly it was dark, causing Amarante to jump. The only candle that was lit had been blown out by a sudden gust from the open window. Closing the window, Amarante laughed at herself as she walked to bed.26

"You read to much." She said humorously as she closed the canopy around her.27