Stare

The cemetery was livelier than the dining table. It was as if everyone was afraid to breathe, because they let their breaths out their nostrils slowly as if they had been forbidden to breathe too loudly. Alexia paused with her fork mid-air, gazing at Alden intently until she suddenly said

"You can not be serious"

Alden matched her stare head-on, "I don't consider myself a comedian."

"How dare you talk like this" She thundered in incredulity, wondering the manner of effrontery he possessed "don't you have respect for the king?"

"The late king" Alden mused slowly, dipping his fork into the plate of steak "I am sure he would be happy to have a grandchild"

" Can you hear what this lad is saying? Trying to embarrass us in the name of this foolishness?!" Alexia turned sharply to Nicky in support, who minded her business, causing Alexia to feel stupid for her outburst. The only anger she felt was that Cisca would not be able to convince Martin to do her bidding.

" I've never seen where a