as raised

The long dinner table stretched under the golden chandeliers of the east dining hall, too wide for comfort. Crystal clinked softly, and the servants moved in near silence.
Eliott sat upright at the far end, hands folded in his lap, dressed in soft violet silk. His hair was brushed, his face powdered just enough to pass. But his lips pressed tight in defiance.
At the head of the table, Queen Agatha dabbed her lips with a napkin, her gaze cool, fixed on him.
Agatha
Agatha
I heard about the tree stunt. Climbing like a wild boy. That is not how a princess behaves
Eliott
Eliott
(softly, without looking up) Maybe I take after my mother. She didn’t behave either, did she?
Agatha
Agatha
You don’t resemble her.
Eliott
Eliott
(meeting her eyes) I suppose I look more like the man who fell off a cliff.
Agatha’s fingers froze around her spoon.
Agatha
Agatha
Your father was foolish. He followed a craving berry and met his end.
Eliott
Eliott
(tilting his head, tone sharper) A berry your daughter demanded. And he went willingly, for love. He died giving, not taking.
Silence wrapped around them, heavy and tight. Even the clinking cutlery had paused. Agatha’s lips thinned. She turned back to her plate.
Agatha
Agatha
Your coming-of-age is in a week It will be a grand affair. I believe you are preparing for it.
Eliott
Eliott
Lovely. Just what I wanted. A festival full of strangers judging the ‘princess’ who never existed.
Agatha
Agatha
There will be the hunting ceremony, the spring celebration at the palace, and the final banquet. The royal court expects nothing less.
Eliott
Eliott
(dry) Do I get to breathe between gowns?
Agatha
Agatha
(coldly) You will be dressed accordingly. Veil included.
Eliott
Eliott
(muttering) Maybe I’ll climb another tree that day.
Agatha
Agatha
(stern) You’ll behave as you were raised to.
Eliott
Eliott
(quietly) I was raised to disappear.
The tension didn’t break. It simply lingered like a ghost between them as dessert was served berries, of course. Neither of them touched them

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