Chapter 458 - Family Reunion Part II (1/2)

At the head of the table sat Berengar; to his left was Linde, to his right was Adela; as for his other two wives, they flanked both sides of the table, followed by Henrietta and Berengar's parents. On the other edge of the seating, was where all of the children were sitting in high chairs since they were far too young to sit in a regular seat, aside from Hans that is, who sat in his own seat with his small feet dangling from the air.

For the past few minutes, since they began to eat the lunch prepared for them by the kitchen, this large family sat in complete and utter silence. An awkward silence prevailed as the only sound that could be heard was the people gathered munching on their food. While this was going on Henrietta glared across the table at her mother with a bitter stare.

Though Henrietta had enjoyed her time in Kufstein, growing up under the tutelage of her precious big brother. There was no doubt that her current infatuation for her sibling stemmed from the abandonment issues resulting from her parents' up and disappearing after Lambert's death and leaving her alone with Berengar and Linde.

However, it appeared that both her mother and father were aging well after their retirement and were living safe and secluded lives in the heart of the Tyrolean Alps. This was something that the young Princess had contention with; if not for their poor parenting, then perhaps Lambert would still be alive.

Neither Henrietta nor her mother was aware of the true origins of Lambert's death. Of course, even if Berengar informed his sister how their brother passed, she would undoubtedly take his side. After all, by now, she was greatly enamored with her big brother and willing to engage in an incestuous relationship with him. What was a little fratricide in the face of her unconditional love?

However, Berengar wanted to maintain the memory in Henrietta's heart that Lambert was not the backstabbing scoundrel he was. In doing so, he had unwittingly created a divide between the girl and her mother; after all, she shifted the blame on her parents for Lambert's passing. While Henrietta scowled at her mother, Berengar noticed this and immediately tried to mend the void.

”Henrietta, my dearest sister, you know it is rather rude to stare at our mother in such a manner...”

However, despite his words, Henrietta did not cease her activity. Instead, she cut into the jaeger schnitzel, which sat on her plate, and elegantly took a bite from her fork. After doing so, she merely snubbed her mother and responded to Berengar with an excited expression.

”So, Big Brother, when will we be going to Gibraltar?”

Berengar immediately had a stunned expression on his face as he glanced over to the gazes of his four angry wives. He had planned to take the girls on a honeymoon to Gibraltar in the summer, but he had not voiced this concern.

In fact, due to his political circumstances, he not only rushed three weddings in the span of as many months, but he never actually took his girls on the trip they deserved. Now that his schedule was reasonably open, he had decided that he would take some time to enjoy a vacation with all four of his wives on the beaches of Gibraltar, where the villa was given to him by Hasan lie.

Either Henrietta had gotten wind of his plans, or was merely creating conflict, for the sake of it. Either way, he had to put his foot down and explain his plans before any of his wives got the wrong idea. As such, he presented a calm facade as he swallowed the scoop of käsespätzle on his spoon. After washing it down with the taste of a hearty lager, he began to inform his family of his plans.

”Well, it was supposed to be a surprise, and I don't know how Henrietta figured it out, but I intend to take all of you on a trip to Gibraltar this summer...”

Various gazes of excitement filled the eyes of Berengar's wives; as for Yasmin, she had a look of nostalgia as she remembered all the times she and Berengar had made love on the beach during his stay in Iberia. After a few lively exchanges, Adela finally came up with an essential question in her pretty little head.

”Will Henrietta be coming with us?”

Berengar immediately exchanged glances between his sister, his wives, and his mother as he thought through the answer to this question. He sincerely hoped to find a suitor for Henrietta before he went on a honeymoon with his wives. Otherwise, she was bound to interfere and demand some special attention of her own due to their ”secret relationship.” Thus he cracked a joke in an attempt to shrug off the responsibility.

”That is unless I can find a proper suitor for her in the meantime... It is just a damn shame...”

Immediately Adela latched onto the last part of Berengar's statement and inquired further about it with a curious gaze.

”What is?”