Surprisingly the dinner went by with little hiccups along the way. Like when Lord Montague accidentally kicked Lord Capulet under the table. Seemingly blaming his "long legs" to be the problem. Or when Takashi accidentally knocked over Malek's wine glass while reaching for his own. But Jurie believed her little inner turmoil counted as nothing towards the hiccups. 

There a gentle tinkling of a knife tapping glass, and all eyes turned to Marie Antoinette. "Ahem." She cleared her throat delicately. "Capulets" she dipped her head at the family "Montagues" she dipped her head at the Montague family, "it has come to our attention that our common enemy the 'Unspeakable' has taken to searching for the Blood Diamond here, in France." There were sharp intakes of breath all along the table. "Now I am not sure if it is because they were tipped on its whereabouts, but it is for this reason that we have called for this gathering." 

Jurie nodded her head. It made so much sense. It made sense why both families were here, because it was her own grandma and Rami's grandmother that brought the Blood Diamond fro safe keeping here in the Palace of Versailles. 

She watched as her grandma and Rami's grandmother exchanged concerned glances. Only they knew where the Blood Diamond was, even the Royal family didn't know the exact location of the diamond. However, she doubted that neither her grandmother or Rami's grandmother had the will nor endurance to defend its whereabouts. Jurie had a strong feeling that she and Rami would be having a serious conversation with them soon. 

The Queen sat down and waved deftly at the servants to bring on their fifth and final dish, dessert. A white plate, with its edge lined with gold was placed gently in front of Jurie. On it sat a generous slice of creme crepe topped with sugar dusted strawberries drizzled with chocolate. Picking up the silver fork and knife Jurie dug into the dessert, holding back a moan at its sweet and creamy, fluffy deliciousness. Once the whole table had finished their dessert, the King and Queen stood up. 

"Our most gracious thank you, to all of you for having dinner with us tonight. We will see you tomorrow." The King spoke, before he and his wife swept back into the palace. 

A moment later, one of the King's men stepped forward. "Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I will escort you to your various chambers, where you will be residing for you stay." He bowed. "Please follow me this way." 

"MOVE!" 

Jurie's head flew in the direction of the sound to see her and Rami's father in a heated argument. Both trying to side step each other but always choosing mirroring steps. She rolled her eyes, walking forward, following the trail of Capulets as they stepped around the warring two.Making their way along the housing quarters, Jurie watched as the mass of people began to dwindle little my little, as the excitement of the evening drew to a close. There was a gentle tap on her shoulder, drawing her to a halt. 

"Angel." The voice sounded. 

Her heart froze. "Rami." She merely addressed flatly, turning to face him. 

~~~

Rami flinched at the coldness within Jurie's eyes and flashed back to the moment during the dinner when she had looked at him with the same iciness that now nestled in them. 

"Um...we...I...well " He cleared his throat and started again in stiff formal manner. "The Blood Diamond.Would I presume correctly that you and I both believe that our grandmothers' will be informing us of its whereabouts?" 

"Yes." 

Again with the one worded answers. Like she didn't want to talk to him. But that wouldn't be possible because everyone wanted to talk to him, he was Rami Montague, the Arabian Knight, Lion of the Desert. Besides she said she would. She promised.

"Do you know when your grandmother will be seeking you?" He asked again in the stiff tone, the only one he could muster, desperately clinging onto a topic to talk about. 

"No." Jurie replied again, her face stony and devoid of emotion. 

It seemed, he was the only one wishing for the conversation to continue. 

"Well neither do I!" He tried to say jovially, trying to revert to himself. "How about a walk around the-"

"I'm tired." She interrupted him. "I'd like to sleep." 

He swallowed. Barely managing a feeble "Oh" before Jurie spun around and continued down the hall till she slipped into a room that the man assigned for her. 

Catching sight of the door that Jurie closed behind her, he memorised its distinct features and those around it. Gold on white double doors, ornamented in three major sections with two patterns separating them. Above it a grand emblem depicting two leaning figures with a crown high between them. He would not let this mission end with the two of them the way they were now. He would know the reason for Jurie's frostiness and would find a way to melt it all away. His love for her was a fiery passion that would melt away the frost, so that he would be able to see the kind girl he fell in love with, right beneath the ice. 

Continuing to follow the man to his own apartment, he felt Raihana slip her cold fingers around his muscled arm and pushed down the feeling to pull his arm out from them, when he caught sight of his parents watching them. He even threw in a tight lipped smile, bordering more along the lines of a grimace to convince them he was happy. 

But deep down he knew he wouldn't be unless the one he was with was Jurie, his beloved Angel, smart, beautiful, witty, feisty and enchanting. It wasn't long until he was directed to his own apartment, where he retreated to mull over his Angel's sudden change in attitude towards him. 

~~~

Jurie took in the room before her. Its walls were lined with pastel, flowery wallpaper. The bed looked like it was connected to back wall and was surrounded by a soft velvet patterned curtain that could be drawn around the bed. In front of the bed was a wooden table, with detailed engraving on its top, surrounded by severals chairs. On the ceiling hung a crystal chandelier that bathed the room in a soft golden light. A large fireplace sat to the left of the room with a large well polished mirror hanging on top of it. Around the room hung paintings of people, some she recognised and some she didn't and scenery. 

Her room had a ceiling to floor window, that opened out with French doors onto a balcony over-looking the grounds. But, tired from a day of travelling and her father's beating, Jurie collapsed face forward onto the bed with a groan and closed her eyes hoping for nothing but a restful sleep. 

~~~

Thus concludes our 56th chapter. I was away in Orange so Thea, being the brilliant friend she was wrote up this chapter (How can I ever repay you?).

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