Nodding at Ana, I leave my room, mentally preparing myself to battle the monster.
"There she is," my mother-in-law beams when she sees me, and I note we're not alone at the table.
What's your game, Lucia?
"So nice to see you again, Allegra. I've been meaning to drop by. We didn't get to know each other well last time, and I was hoping to remedy that." She flutters her eyelashes, smiling at Lucia as she says this.
It also doesn't escape me that they are speaking in English, knowing full well I struggle with the pronunciation.
I plaster on my best fake smile and take a seat at the table. My stomach is growling, as I didn't eat much the day before either. I look down at the assortment of food—cakes, sandwiches, biscuits, all things I've never eaten before.
"Lucia, I don't think Allegra's seen this before," Gianna chuckles as she sees me staring at the food. I raise my gaze, frowning.
"It's English afternoon tea," Lucia says, looking all smug.
"But it's not afternoon," I frown.
"My, my," Lucia places her hand in front of her mouth, hiding a smile. "Sometimes I forget you're from the countryside. I'm sure they don't have that there." Her tone gives away the satisfaction she's feeling at pointing out my uncouthness.
Little does she know Ibarelyhad any food in the countryside, so it's not as if I'm going to turn my nose up at anything.
I shrug and start piling food on my plate. I'm going to eat and get out of here.
The sandwiches don't look half bad, so I take a bite, surprised to find myself enjoying the taste.
"She likes it," Gianna states, an evil smile playing on her lips.
"Of course I do. It's food," I tell her, rolling my eyes. She's probably never gone hungry a day in her life.
"Oh dear, maybe we should tell her what it is?" Lucia asks, her eyes fixated on me.
"And ruin her meal? We shouldn't." Gianna's fake concern is obvious, but even more so is the fact that they've messed with the food in some way.
I look down at the sandwich, and I note there's some sort of paste inside. It tastes like meat, so I can't imagine what else it could be.
"What are you talking about?"
"That sandwich you're enjoying so much is made with wild boar testicles. A delicacy, or so I've heard." The look of pure condescension on Lucia's face tells me this was all on purpose.
I mean, yet another humiliation, right? But this time she had to bring Gianna Guerra into it, her perfect daughter-in-law.
Let's make fun of the peasant girl!
I don't give them the satisfaction of showing a reaction. Instead, I merely shrug and continue to eat.
Food is food, right?
"Wow, thank you so much!" I add, my mouth full of food. "You didn't have to go through so much trouble to get me a delicacy. I can eat anything, really," I say as I bite into the sandwich again.
Their expressions are scandalized, their mouths half open in disgust as they see me gorge on the sandwich with much gusto.
"You know, in my village we have a delicacy with cow's tongue. I should make that for you next time. To thank you forthis." Their faces fall at the mention of cow's tongue, and I try not to smile. Instead, I continue.
"Oh, and entrails. I don't think people in big cities eat entrails anymore. I mean…"
"I think that's enough," Lucia interrupts me, her face almost green. "Ana, please take the food away."
"But—" I start, but I realize there's no reasoning with her. So I fold my shirt upward, creating a small pouch, and taking as much food as I can fit in my hands, I stuff it inside.
