Chapter 139: The Dinner of Deception

In the large dinner hall of Ariadne's fortress the light wasn't bright enough except for the quivering candles and the table that would feast stomachs with delicious meats, spice-smelling wine, and freshly baked bread. Adam Weasley was waiting outside the dining hall. Ariadne had who sent for him to come have dinner with her. He was still curious to why she would want to have dinner with him but some part of him was already excited. "Enter," came Ariadne's voice Adam stepped inside the sound of his boots echoed against the marble floor. At the head of the table Ariadne sat wearing crimson gown that was shining like blood in the candlelight. Her dark hair fell over her shoulders, and a faint, almost tender smile popped on her her lips. "Adam," she said warmly, extending her hand to the seat beside her, "please join me." He stood his ground, peering at her face, somehow his guts told him it's a trap. But he went inside afterward, h didn't want to anger her any further. He stood in front of her and bowed.   "You summoned me, my Queen," he ventured. Ariadne shifted a little further, from the table. "I do owe you, Adam, an apology". Adam blinked in surprise. Of all the ways this could go, this wasn't one he had counted on. "An apology? She nodded once, loosing a small, almost weary sigh. "I have been unfair to you. My anger, my distrust-it all was misaddressed. You've been nothing but loyal to me, and still I let my emotions blind me. For this, I'm truly sorry." Her soft words almost soothed his bruised ego, but somehow, this was a feeling Adam just couldn't trust. Could she be faking it? Serious, or playing? "My Queen," he repeated more slowly now, "your anger was called for. I failed to bring for you Viktor and Alfonso. You had every reason to feel infuriated." Ariadne shook her head, her hand laid still lightly on his arm. "No, Adam. I was wrong to lash out at you. You have done so much for me, sacrificed so much for this cause. You deserve my gratitude, not my wrath." Adam swallowed hard as his heart started to race in his chest. It was all he had ever wanted to hear from her, and yet, somehow, it sounded so fake. Ariadne reached him a glass of wine; her fingers touched his. "Drink with me," she whispered huskily, "and let's forget the past." He took the glass, his throat dry despite the liquid in his throat "I. I don't know what to say." "Say that you forgive me," Ariadne said, her eyes locked on his. Adam looked down; her gaze was like a weight that pressed upon him, and he wanted to believe her, wanted this to be true. Yet there was that cautionary whisper in his mind. "I forgive you," he whispered, barely loud enough to be audible. Ariadne's smile broadened, and she raised her glass. "To new beginnings," she said as they made a toast." Adam clinked his glass against hers, his hold tight and his movements rigid. There they sat in silence for a few seconds, the tension between them relaxed. Finally, Ariadne spoke her mind. "You have been behind me through thick and thin. At the junctures when any person had to doubt me, you kept standing your grounds. When Alpha Lleus himself opposed me, you chose in my favor. Loyalty like that is rare to find, Adam." As soon as Alpha Lleus was mentioned, his jaw tightened, the memory of the way he had betrayed the man in his pursuit of Ariadne's favor binding. "I only wish to serve you, my Queen," he replied steadily. "And you have," she said, the smile returning. "But tell me, Adam—what fuels your loyalty? Is it duty? Or something. more?" Adam's breath caught, and he turned away, unable to meet her eye. He'd told himself for years his feelings for her didn't matter-that as long as he served well, it wasn't relevant. But with her words cutting straight into the heart of him, he could not lie. "My loyalty comes from respect," he said, the words careful, "And admiration." Ariadne leaned in a little farther into his face; her eyes open. "Only admiration?" Fingers curled in his lap as if he was clenching and opening his fists. "I." he started, before it got stuck somewhere in his throat. Ariadne leaned in closer. Her voice plunged down to a whispered a promise. "You don't have to hide anything from me, Adam. You can tell me anything you feel." He looked at her, his heart pounding so loud in his ears that he was certain she would hear it. "I-I only want what is best for you, my Queen," he finally said, dodging the truthful answer. She smiled knowingly, as if to say she could see right through him. "And that is why I value you so much, Adam. Your devotion is second to none." The rest of dinner was a small talk where the taste of the food on his plate was hardly finished. His brain stirred a feeling inside: gratitude, suspicion, hope, and fear swirled in him. Ariadne got up after dinner and laid her hand on his shoulder. "Thanks for tonight; it's very important for me," she spoke quietly. Adam rose to his feet, his head in a bow. "The pleasure is mine, my Queen." His steps to leave when she stopped him, her voice cool. "Adam," she steps to leave. He turned back, facing her catching that smile on the lips. "Do not fail me again," she said. However the words came like a knife. "I need you, Adam, and yes I do need results as well." Her words hit him like a blow; he nodded awkwardly. "I won't fail you," he promised, though heavily. He stormed out of the dining hall, unable to think. In that one instant, he felt Ariadne took care of him; an apology was owed-that her words revealed she was so very sorry. Instead, right now, he wasn't quite convinced. Whatever warmth those eyes had held a moment earlier disappeared immediately after her last words. "She doesn't care about me does she ? "He asked himself.