Dreams Outgrow Rooms Built From Other Peoples Fears by Niro Mason 82

82 Don’t Dine Like A King 

“Jenna Drew,” I said, nervously. “I wasn’t expecting 

I’d call you.” 

1 

“And why is that?” 

“You’re a reporter.” 

“Ah… You don’t trust me. But you’re calling now, which means you finally want answers to those questions I gave you two months ago.” 

“Yes, I want answers.” 

“Then let’s see and talk.” 

“U–Um, can’t you just tell me on the phone? I see 

no reason why that should happen.” 

“For this to work, we have to see.” 

This was not what I had in mind. Seeing a 

reporter while I have the King name was a recipe for disaster. 

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As my silence prolonged, she added. “That’s the only way I can be sure this is not some social call.” 

I sighed. “Alright, after the weekend. I’ll think of a 

way.” 

“I’m looking forward to it. But I have a quick question for you.” 

“What?” 

“How much do you know about the Underworld?” 

“The Underworld?” I squinted my eyes. “What’s this, some Greek mythological analogy?” 

She scoffed. “I was right then. Even as a King, you don’t know anything.” 

“Which is why I made this call,” I said, already getting irritated. 

“Fair enough. Now, I’m really looking forward to seeing you.” 

“Because I can’t relate to your analogy?” 

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82 Don’t Dine Like A King 

“It means you’re clean.” 

“Clean? You’re not making any sense.” 

“I will be soon. Until we meet, Mrs. King.” 

The call ended. I just talked with a reporter, something I clearly told myself wasn’t a good 

idea. 

But she knew something about the Kings, and I’d get my answers from her. 2 

འམ་འ 

After a quick shower, I walked to the door and. yanked it open. 

The sound of a flick–snap seized my attention, and I found Nico leaning against the wall, blazing the end of his cigarette. 

“Morning, milady. Did you have a good night’s sleep?” 

What a way to start my morning. 

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“Are you here to tell me that I can’t leave the 

room?” 

He took a drag from his cigar and released the smoke into the air. “Nope.” 

“Good!” I pitched, walking, and when I heard him coming, my mood turned foul. “What are you doing?” 

“Following you,” he replied coolly. 

“Why are you following me?” 

“Because the boss told me not to leave your side. 

So, where are we going, milady?” 

“To see my friend.” 

“Do you know which way?” 

I halted, facing Nico, a smirk playing on his lips. 

“Do you mind showing me the way?” 

“Stay close, milady,” he said, leading the way. 

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I followed with my arms crossed, thinking he 

would direct me to another room door. However, 

we got to the first floor, and I grew more 

apprehensive. 

“She’s not in her room?” 

“She’s having breakfast with Madam.” 

“Madam?” I slowed down my steps. 

Wait, he doesn’t mean…! 

He pushed open the doors, revealing the dining room. Agatha was sitting at the head table. Tori sat at the side, barely chewing her food, her body locked tightly. 

Not good. 

“Catherine! How wonderful for you to join us for breakfast,” Agatha said the instant she saw me. 

Tori flickered her gaze to me and relaxed, mouthing, ‘What took you so long?” 

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“Morning,” I said, walking to sit beside her, but Agatha stopped me. 

“You sit at the other end of the table.” She sipped her wine. 

Isn’t it too early for wine? 

“When Kings dine with the common, we have a duty to stand out.” 

Did she just call my best friend common? 

I purposely dragged out the chair; the legs made a loud screech against the floor, and Agatha winced at the sharp sound. 

Without breaking eye contact, I sat next to Tori. 

Agatha scoffed at my actions, dropping her glass on the table. 

“I sit where I want, and I don’t recall having rules to do that…” I smirked, grabbing a croissant. 

“She doesn’t seem to like you,” Tori whispered to 

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1. me. “That’s not good, is it?” 

“I’m not meant to make her like me.” I bit down on 

the croissant. “So don’t care.” 

“Damn girl!” 

“I’m sure you’re aware why we’re on a lockdown,” Agatha began. “I was just explaining to your friend.” 

“Security was breached.” 

“Is that all you know?” 

I paused my eating action. Why did it seem like. she was trying to figure out what I knew about it? 

Does she know Ares killed someone? They didn’t seem like a loving family, given how alien Ares was during the ball, so my best guess was that she probably didn’t know what really happened last night. 

“Yes, we can’t leave until the grounds are 

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82 Don’t Dine Like A King 

secured.” 

She fixed me with a pointed stare. I finished mixing my tea and brought it towards my lips. 

“That’s odd, I was under the impression someone was killed last night.” 

“What?!” Tori roared. 

I choked on my tea, coughing, and the sound resonated back to me. I quickly used the napkin to wipe my mouth. 

“Killed? Like a dead body or something?” Tori questioned with wide eyes. 

“N–No, nothing like that,” I said, trying to calm her 

down. 

“That’s what I heard, but I don’t have the details. The men around here like to handle everything by themselves.” 

She almost sounded displeased at that fact. 

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“What the fuck is going on here?” Tori mumbled. 

“Maybe you heard wrong,” I said, forcing a smile. 

“Maybe…” 

“Where’s Athena?” I asked to change the topic. “She should be here for breakfast.” 

Agatha’s face twisted in revulsion. “Don’t mention that thing before me again.” 

Thing? 

“Harsh…” Tori murmured. “What’s with this 

family? First, a dead body, and now Stepmother here can’t bear the mention of her Stepdaughter. Did we just take a turn on a fairytale?” 

“Trust me, there’s no fairytale here.” 

Suddenly, the doors opened with force, and Athena stepped in, her heels click–clacking sharply. 

Who wears sunglasses indoors? Only Athena can 

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82 Don’t Dine Like A King 

pull that off. 

“Ah! breakfast! I was starving.” She walked to the table, pulled out a chair, spread jam on her bread, and took other things to fill her plate. 

She ate obliviously to everyone around her. 

This. Was. Awkward. 

I got the feeling last night that Ares wasn’t close to his parents, and now it was the opposite for Athena, or maybe far more than that? 

The door forced open again. 

What now?! 

I froze when I saw a boy around seven years old running to Agatha. Her expression instantly brightened as he kissed her cheek. 

“Awake already? How are you feeling?” 

“A little better.” 

“We have guests. Why don’t you greet them?” 

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He faced us, and my heart stilled. 

A–Ares? 

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