The Crown's Entrapment

Upon Clara's own suggestion, Gilas had brought her straight back to Keen Manor after the tournament had ended. She didn't know what came over her, but she felt like it needed to happen to make sure that Gilas wouldn't make any rash move against Pinra. She wanted to watch him closely, and she wanted to show Nasser that she would keep her word with Gilas just so the old man wouldn't be suspicious of him.

"Thank you for accompanying me here, Gilas," Clara thanked Gilas as they reached the manor. "I know it's a sudden request, but it just felt… right for some reason."

"There's no need to thank me, Clara. I would've come with you even if you didn't tell me," Gilas nodded to her in acknowledgment. "Besides, I'm sure Mother would appreciate your company, especially in these trying times."

Clara inwardly took a breath at Gilas's last statement. If she inferred things right, it would mean that things were getting tense within the manor itself, which meant that Nasser was probably throwing a fit or something and was throwing all of his frustrations out on his family.

And just like that, she felt bad for the man currently escorting her inside the manor, and especially towards his. She could only imagine the kind of nasty and cruel things Nasser would do to them. Sure, Gilas doesn't seem like he'd even be affected by physical abuse, but what of his Mother? Lady Shila looked like someone who couldn't hurt a fly and even talking to her already clued her in that she was just taking things as they came to her in an attempt to shield her son from her husband.

"Ah, Son, Clara, welcome home."

As usual, Clara bore her warmest smile as she was once more face-to-face with Lady Shila. It was all she could do to try and show a bit of normalcy to this forsaken place, and she didn't even know if Nasser was already on the premises.

"Would you two like some food? I've cooked a bit of dinner for us all," Lady Shila offered. "My husband's also present. In fact, why don't we have a family dinner?"

Clara inwardly cringed at the pained offer coming from the woman. Beside him, she could feel Gilas trembling at the prospect of facing Nasser, something that really shouldn't be happening to anyone that had a good heart like him.

At that moment, she knew exactly what she had to do.

"That sounds lovely," Clara nodded, taking the offer to the chin as she put on her diplomatic smile. "It would let me get to know the family I'll be a part of in the future."

"Clara?"

"Wonderful," Lady Shila smiled, cutting Gilas off from his apparent confusion. "Feel free to go to the dining room then. I'm sure my husband's already there waiting."

Clara held her breath as she watched Lady Shila retreat into the kitchens. Beside her, Gilas grabbed her by the shoulder as he pointedly looked at her.

"Why did you accept?" he asked. "You could've left and avoided the inevitable disaster of my family having dinner together."

"It's bound to happen anyway. Besides, I'm here to assure Nasser that I won't bail on my word," Clara nonchalantly replied. "Also, I don't want to leave you alone to suffer. It's just one dinner. And I've already had dinner with your family once, right?"

"Actually-"

"And even if I haven't, what's a few hours of practicing my diplomacy skills?" Clara cut him off before he could even mount a protest. "I've already accepted you, so if you're dealing with this, then I'll deal with it as well."

It was the least she could do, she felt. It was also a way for her to truly get over her feelings from earlier. She might've gotten over her feelings for Darius, but the feeling of losing was another thing entirely.

[Again with your excuses,] Sheba teased. [When will you be honest with yourself?]

[As soon as I've gotten my feelings together,] Clara quipped. [Now keep quiet and let me do my thing.]

Thankfully, her wolf didn't bother her again as she made her way to the dining room with Gilas. Taking a seat next to him, she found herself once more in front of the cause of all their problems. Nasser looked… neutral, she supposed. Clearly not pleased, but also not miffed or furious as well.

"Good evening," Clara greeted as she exchanged pleasantries. "Thank you for inviting me for dinner."

"Again, you're already family, Clara," Lady Shila smiled at her. "It's the least we can do for you."

"Indeed," Nasser chimed in with a terse tone. "You've graced us with your presence, so surely you have something in mind."

Clara inwardly grimaced. "Straight to the point, I see. Very well. I'm here to ask if I could be the one to accompany Lady Shila to the arena tomorrow."

Nasser raised an eyebrow at her request. "Shila, do you want to go to the arena tomorrow?"

"Oh? I'd love that, Husband," Lady Shila beamed. "I've been wanting to see the competition in person for a while now."

"Very well then. But why you, Clara?" Nasser quickly asked. "On what grounds?"

"Is it unnatural for me to want to get closer to my future mother-in-law?" Clara diplomatically replied. "Seeing as I'm no longer a part of the competition, I've elected to use my free time to get to know my future family."

"So you're really sticking with my son then," Nasser lightly scoffed. "Do you object to this, Son?"

"Not at all," Gilas remarked, his tone telling Clara that he was playing along despite his own feelings on the matter. She hadn't told him this part of the plan, after all. "I fully support her decision."

Nasser blinked at the current state of the discussion, and Clara waited with bated breath as her grip on her eating utensils tightened. She couldn't let Gilas be the one to accompany his own mother. Not if they wanted their actions to remain hidden from the man in front of them.

"Very well. I'll allow it."

Clara inwardly cheered as she heard Nasser's words. It would seem that her efforts had paid off. Even if she wasn't the one chosen by Darius, she'll at least still be of use to him this way.

Perhaps… This could be her parting gift to the love that she had lost… And her starting gift for the one that could potentially mend her heart…