I had truly thought that this would be the most awkward dinner I would have to endure but I was pleasantly surprised.
The entire evening had felt casual as if in the company of old friends, strangers with hidden agendas placing them to one side for one moment whilst they ate, drank and made merry. No politics, no rank, the Lord of Sommerbarrow cracking jokes with my sentry like they had grown up on the same playing field. The most notorious woman and arguably most influential in Aelfhelm trading beauty secrets with my ladies maid over red wine and dessert. A prince conversing with an elven servant in her native tongue, making her feel comfortable as if it was normal, the natural order of things. I sat back, drinking it all in. When caught out by Rhydien I simply raised a glass, understan
