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The dining hall was filled. There had to be more people there than were staying at the palace. Young men and women were mingling all around the table until the prince arrived. The immaculate table was decorated with flowers, gold-rimmed plates, and above it all, a large chandelier that dominated the room. The girls were all atwitter about Rasha and how she’d chosen to wear her courier clothes. There were even whispers and disapproving looks from the servants. Lu couldn’t imagine what her parents would think of this. “If you’ll both excuse me,” the prince said as he bowed to Lu and Jak. He took Rasha’s hand, and he led her away to the end of the table where he sat her down next to him. Chiza was placed on the opposite side of the table from him.
“How are you feeling about dinner now?”
