"So, Zipporah, how exactly did you come to be here?" Kunibert inquires, his eyes not leaving his salad.

"I had not planned on coming here to Eldstein, your highness. I am very glad that I was selected, though. Eldstein is a wonderful country and I enjoy my work here." Zipporah clarifies. She's eaten very little because of the ongoing interrogation.

"You have family and friends in America, correct?" Susi probes. Her voice imitates that of a threatened adder. Mom begins to intervene but I step in.

"Yes, she does. The very reasons she came so far." Mom and I exchange relieved smiles as Susi retreats. Zipporah casts me a grateful glance while nodding appreciatively.

"Yes, I have heard only the best about her. She is a prized asset. Few display the sterling work ethic and determination that Zipporah does. To know she does this not only for herself but for her loved ones makes it all the grander." Grandfather boasts. I smile at him and the twinkle in his eye speaks volumes. He supports us. It makes things a little less complicated since he is an infallible adversary if you make enemies with him. 

"Dankeschön. [Thank you very much]"  Zipporah answers nervously while taking a precarious sip of her sparkling water. 

Mom speaks up, "Tell us about your family, Zipporah. You have one younger brother, correct?" 

"Yes. Isaac is going to be finishing his final year of high school in June." 

"What about your parents?" 

"My mom and dad are still working on getting back on their feet. My mom is doing remarkably well, but my dad suffered more major injuries and recovery has been very slow. It's very inspiring how they keep fighting through their trials. I am happy to help provide for them." My lips twitch upwards in response. She's touched nearly everyone. 

"Perhaps they're trying to dump all of their burdens on you. You're the kind of person who would freely help others, thus leaving you vulnerable to being taken advantage of. Perhaps because you're the girl and they wanted you out of their hair," A chill descends. Everyone looks at Yvonne and her husband. I clench my fists, ready to lash back, "A dreaming workaholic. Tch. You're too independent and caring." 

"Yvonne-!" Mom and Dad begin to chide. Yvonne continues though, aiming a pointed scowl at Zipporah. 

"How can we expect her to submit? How do we know she won't abandon everything for sentimental missions?" 

"Zipporah is probably a money sucker to her family and enjoys the spotlight. Why else has she gone along with Basil this whole time?" Verena adds. I look over at Zipporah. Her face is devoid of all emotion, but my sisters seem to feed off of it, "She displaced Fritzi and has proved how clever she is." 

"Silence!" Dad protests. I place my hands on the table and slowly rise, glaring my three half sisters down. 

"You're jealous." I accuse. 

"Of what? Her?" 

"No. Me. Admit it!" The room takes a sharp breath. 

"No way! How could we be jealous of you when you brought in that pauper?" Susi retorts, "You only feel sympathy for her, which is undeserved, because of these stories about her ailing family. She could be cheating behind your back and keeping every last cent of her earnings for herself. It wouldn't surprise me if her family made her apply just to get rid of her. She's quite an annoyance." I raise my fist, about to let it smack the table. In an instant Susi is effectively doused in sparkling water. I turn and stare in disbelief at Zipporah who is now on her feet clutching her now empty glass. She tossed water on Susi! 

"Your insults are weak." 

"You violent wretch! How rude! See? I bet her family is ashamed of her, especially her little brother. I can see his relief, not having to fear her." Verena and Yvonne stand. Zipporah sets down her glass and in a flash has grabbed mine and Grandfathers, launching their contents consisting of red wine and cider at the two. They sputter and whine before growling. 

"How dare you! See how violent and rude this woman is? I bet her family is ashamed, especially her brother. Or maybe her entire family is like her." Yvonne clamors. Zipporah slams the glasses on the table and lifts her head, revealing a glare that could vaporize every being and object in the room. I've never seen her get angry and never fathomed that she could become this malevolent. It's enough to paralyze the room. I'm very grateful I'm not on the receiving end, but I would still like to crawl under a rock. 

"You may insult, bully and abuse me. That is one matter entirely. However, inflicting such upon my loved ones is another. It is what I will not allow and not tolerate, even if you're monarchs! I don't care if you are blue bloods with power. Attacking the ones I love makes you the equivalent of the lowest third-rate criminal in my eyes. It's appalling! Yet, on top of that, what disgusts me further is how you have treated Basil and Felicie. I may not have been raised in this exact situation, but I've lived through this on a much broader scale. It's sickening how stupid the drama can be but the consequences are pathetic!" Zipporah snarls, "It's sad how the most blessed families can unravel, whatever the cause. I may not be able to predict when yours will break up, but at this rate it won't be long. I wanted to stay out of conflict and keep your family together, but now that cause is lost. I'll just leave you to your devices and stay out of this mess. Good bye!!" With that she charges out of the dining room, knocking the wind out of us as she whips past. The doors slam behind her and it takes me a few minutes to collect myself and go after her. 

I can hear the whining and complaining as I leave, then discussion. Wolfram demands that Zipporah apologize and take full responsibility before cleaning everything. Not surprisingly the girls agree and plots to subject Zipporah fill the air. I walk briskly through the halls, searching for Zipporah. I'm still in shock so I blindly follow directions from the employees, winding up on the grand veranda in the front of the palace. I see her red hair and inhale deeply as I approach her. She is leaning against the stone banister, staring off into the distance, "I never thought you could be so livid. That was quite a lecture, although my half sisters are unrepentant. They want you to apologize for being insubordinate and rude, then be a maid." I say as coolly as possible. The rigidness of her body means that she is still worked up. 

"They can kiss my behind for all I care. I'm not sorry about it," Her foot taps aggressively, "I do apologize for frightening you. That wasn't my intention." 

"As far as I'm concerned, the most you did was show me what will happen if I ever should wrong you," I sigh, walking closer and placing my hand on her shoulder, "It was amazing, in a scary way. I'm glad you retaliated before I could, I would have been more physical." 

"Of course, my chances of coexisting with your family are probably shot now. I was honest though. I don't want to be involved in all that drama." I finally step up beside her and wrap one arm around her shoulders with a short squeeze. 

"I knew that they'd do something like that. I hoped they would be different towards you, and remain civil. I'm sorry you had to endure all that," I lift her chin towards me, "I know their words affected you, even if you deny that they do."

"Yeah." She shrugs with a sigh. 

"Well, that was quite a dinner. The most excitement I've had in years." We spin around and find Grandfather walking towards us. 

"Grandfather!?" 

"Herr Rask." She curtsies but he motions for her to stop. Grandfather halts a couple feet from us. 

"I've never seen such fire and conviction." 

"Are you not upset with me, sir?" 

"Far from it. I'm very impressed, actually." 

"Really?" Grandfather nods. 

"What you said is what the family has needed to hear for years. It makes me hope that you sparked something inside of them. You've definitely got me, Felicie, Milan and Kunibert on your side, but the others are of course stubborn." I narrow my eyes. There's something he wants to say. 

"Cut to the point, Grandfather. Why did you follow us?" I query. There is a pause before he clears his throat. 

"There are things I want to discuss with both you and Zipporah. I would like for you to join me at the office so we can talk in privacy." 

"Alright then." Zipporah and I link arms and follow him to his limo. What does he want to talk about? I gulp, a little worried. 

Thanks for reading! Please comment when you vote! It lets me know how I'm doing! Thanks!

~Uilosris