Chapter Forty-Three

I expected a slap. I expected to be held by the material of my gown while being yelled upon by the parents of the maids I'd ordered to be killed. Yet, I was left surprised by their warm welcome.

The first place we stopped by was Penelope home. Her mother and brothers were the ones who welcomed me with a smile into their small home, they had even prepared a feast to feed me. I figured Katniss had told them about my visit.

I took off the cloak, laid it on my lap as I reluctantly sat on a mat laid on the floor in their humble apartment, looking down at the meal they'd prepared. The food was inviting, yet I didn't see myself eating even as they urged me to. I was scared the meals were poisoned. It wasn't like I could die from poison, but still, I feared the pain that would be inflicted by the poison. Perhaps, I was overthinking due to the guilt I felt.

"You're not eating, princess Annalisa," I was met with Penelope's mother's – her name was Lily – green eyes. The lady had white hair, w