Under the Veil I Rule (Amara) novel Chapter 398

Back when they used to eat together, Keith was always looking out for Amara like this, so no one found it surprising. Still, someone couldn’t resist making a playful comment or two.

But this time, something was different—Finnian had started looking after Liliana as well.

He wasn’t nearly as attentive to Liliana as Keith was to Amara, but it was still a marked improvement from before.

Louis, the producer, clearly remembered his last slip-up. Wary of offending either Liliana or Finnian again, he seized the chance to smooth things over: “Mr. Everly, you really dote on Ms. Porter, don’t you? You haven’t stopped looking after her since we sat down. Only you young people are that close these days.”

“If it were me and my wife—old married couple that we are—forget about looking after each other at the table. We’d be sitting as far apart as we could manage, just waiting for the meal to end.”

Everyone burst out laughing and ran with Louis’s comments. “Mr. Everly, you’re so good to Ms. Porter—it’s true love!” “When’s the wedding?” The table hummed with cheerful banter.

Keith knew that while Amara kept her expression calm, she had to be feeling a bit uncomfortable inside.

Under the table, he quietly took her hand and leaned in, whispering, “Don’t you dare get teary-eyed on me. If you cry in front of everyone, I’ll never let you live it down.”

Amara had only been a little downhearted, but his words made her laugh out loud. She nudged him and said, “Will you listen to yourself? I’m a grown woman. Why would I cry at a dinner like this?”

Seeing her smile, Keith finally relaxed. He gave her nose a playful squeeze and said, “You used to be such a crybaby, you know. Remember how many times you got picked on and ended up in tears? I was always the one avenging you.”

“Oh, please! That was only because I was self-conscious about my scars and people bullied me. The scars are gone now, I’ve got my confidence back, and I don’t cry anymore.”

And when he saw Keith grin at Amara and pinch her nose, Finnian’s murderous thoughts nearly boiled over.

Violent, jealous impulses surged inside him like a riptide, but he had no choice but to keep them hidden.

Beneath the table, Finnian’s fist clenched so hard his knuckles cracked, though no one seemed to notice.

Amara remained oblivious to the storm brewing nearby. She was always quiet at gatherings like this, eating in silence, listening to the conversation without joining in.

She did have a good relationship with Cedric, though. Noticing she hadn’t said a word, Cedric leaned over and struck up a conversation. “Ama, your next project is with Barry Frost, right?”