“I spilled wine all over my dress,” Ravelina whispered. They were sat around the remnants of the luncheon, and she looked distraught.
“Ravelina, you’re wearing a black dress, I’m sure that the Dukes didn’t even notice.”
“It was right in front of them!” she replied, her head in her hands. She had barely touched the extravagant meal they had been served, and Lyria was comforting her, a hand on her back, whispering gently that everything would be fine.
Across from them, Aertis was seated, having snuck over once the formal luncheon had finished and the King and nobility had all departed. Now, the guests all waited for the rules of the first contest to be announced, though Lyria did notice that the contestant who had been removed earlier had not returned.
“Ravelina, I saw you from where I
