Mr. Krain turned back into the house without waiting for the others. Amie looked at his receding back and turned away too."Serve dinner!" Mrs. Krain ordered and they all paused, before making their way to the dining room. She could already feel her daughter"s mood sour and her husband"s piercing silence roam the house like a vengeful ghost. Those two needed to solve their issues.
They all sat at the table while the maids hurried to serve the dishes. The tension in the air was so thick, it suffocated all except Allen, who awaited the meal with his toy horse in hand as he re-enacted the great war of sides.
Dinner was served and the maids receded, leaving two by the corner who quietly stood far away.
Amie took a bite of her chicken and could not swallow. Her chest heaved in an emotion one would not quite recognize. She forced the food down her throat and dropped her fork.
"Do you wish to say something, father?" she asked and the aged man continued to eat without care.
"This is the only time I will answer. You speak now, clear the air, or wonder and let those thoughts eat at you till your last days." Amie said, one could see her chest heave, but her face remained blank.
"Amie!" her mother scolded. Mr. Krain"s fork paused midway to his mouth. He lifted his eyes and gave Amie a deep look.
"Does it matter if I ask? Does it matter if I say a word? Everyone be do as they like." he said and she returned his deep look.
"You disagree with something? Speak father, mind reading is sorcery not seen in a thousand years." she basically spat.
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"Do any of you in this family see me as the head of this household? First yer brother, then yerself. You totally disregard my say."
"Then speak, whatever could have happened to deserve your scorn."
"Never in the land has a daughter married herself out. My ancestors be laughing from their grave, speak more, ma mates. You arrange such a matter without the opinion of yer father? What kind generation be this? More so, you do not think you need to ask. Yer brother up and left the kingdom without telling me. He cares not to tell me, his father, of him works. Pray tell, who be the head of this household?" Mr.Krain exploded and the entire house was silenced.
"Walter." Amie answered with heaved breaths.
"What?" he asked.
"Walter is the head of this family." Amie said and they all paused. "You asked and I answered. My brother is the head of this household and you should be proud." Amie spat, one could see her trembling as she spoke.
"That"s enough from you, young lady!" Mrs. Krain slapped the table in anger, but she did not spare her a look.
"Look around father. All of this is Walter"s hard work. You basically grumble about handling the properties in our name, you refuse to know the neighbours, make friends among your new social circle and learn anything to back up your new standing. You resent everything about who we are. How do you intend to arrange a proper marriage for me? Give my hand to sons of your friends from a past life? I am Walter Krain"s sister!" she exploded and the entire house stilled.
"Everywhere I turn I am reminded of my social standing! Now brother is not around, if he did not put things in place, how did you intend to take care of us? Our heads are worth a lot of money!" Amie fumed, yet her voice remained only loud enough to envelope the entire dining room.
"I did not ask for him to..." Mr. Krain started.
"And you grumble ever again. What do you wish to do then? Return to the village? Fine, let"s do that. It changes nothing. Even if you grumble till the world ends, I am a Krain! The king made it clear, he must marry to help the kingdom and there is none n.o.bler than I! Ha! I even suspect if I reject his request for my hand, another king will just step up in his place. Allen leaves for school the moment the white cold ends, have you made plans? What about after he graduates school, what will he do? Have you thought it through?" Amie accused her father, whose face could not turn any blacker.
"Amie..." Mrs. Krain called softly. She could see her daughter trembling as she spoke. Amie stood and looked right at her father.
"Walter is far away and we may be the n.o.blest people in all the eastern kingdoms. Walter wanted me to marry the king. I"m sure so that I be protected. So I take his place as the head of the family. I am still young. I should not feel this kind of pressure. While I walk a path I did not see coming, do continue to grumble father. Walter is a duke. He does not need to run his affairs by you. I will be a queen, will you still grumble by then?" she asked, then walked out; her steps slow and steady till she left the room.