The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella and Romeo) novel Chapter 1424

Eunice leaned in toward the manager with a conspiratorial smile. "Bring out all the dishes my folks love, would you? And toss in a few extra, for good measure." She added a few of Arabella and Serena's favorites into the mix without missing a beat.

Serena shot Arabella a smug look that seemed to scream. She thought, "Aunt Eunice ordered four dishes for you and four for me. In her eyes, we're equals."

Meanwhile, Arabella was engrossed in her phone, thumbing through messages without so much as a glance in Serena's direction.

But Serena was basking in her moment of triumph. On the patio, she snapped a few selfies before calling out, "Grandma, Grandpa, come take a couple of photos with me, will you?"

Darren and Belinda were deep in conversation, but at the beckon of their granddaughter, they paused their chat to brave the chill and pose for a few shots.

Serena then turned her attention to her uncle and aunt. "Uncle Bard, Aunt Eunice, how about a few snaps with me as well?"

Eunice, while pouring Belinda another cup of tea, feigned annoyance. "Calling everyone but your sister, someone might think you're doing it on purpose."

Serena chuckled nervously, "Oh, no way! I was saving the best for last to take photos with her. Besides, Arabella wouldn’t overthink it, right?"

She sought Arabella's eyes, only to find her still busily tapping away on her phone, oblivious to the world around her.

"Let's just take photos inside where it's warm," Eunice suggested, refilling Darren's cup.

"Absolutely, indoors is better." Darren agreed, shifting his chair to Arabella's left. "Bella, let's take a few pictures, shall we?"

"Absolutely, I've had my turn with Serena, now it's Bella's turn," Belinda chimed in, scooting her chair to Arabella's right.