The candidates began with mundanities and polite pleasantries, which felt a bit too rehearsed to be genuine for some. They were likely wary of the Queen showing up at the last minute and overhearing them, so they kept their conversation polite and ladylike. Theora kept an ear out, counting all eleven candidates present, but only half of them were dominating the conversation while the others remained silent. It was clear the remaining candidate from the vampire families, seated at one end of the table and wearing a maroon dress with black embroideries, was the quietest. She hadn't said a word for the entire meal. Philipa kept the conversation polite with her table neighbors. Theora wondered when she had secured cordial relationships with the Houses De Pristin and De Camellia or if this was
