The Queen's teacher

At lunch, we sat almost in the same order as yesterday. The only difference is that the table is more crowded, and my siblings have conveniently been locked in their rooms.

Father is at his usual place, mother on the opposite side. I, then Ignis, are on my father's right side. In front of me, a lady I don't know yet, then the Chancellor. After, the rest of the delegation ordered per influence.

Father and the Chancellor must know each other, and they converse in friendly terms.

We youngsters, on the other side, are silent. Ignis is in a difficult position to stare at, so my attention focuses on the two in front of me.

I'm not expecting to understand the Prime Minister with a single glance, so I try reading through the lady. She's sixty, maybe even older. Her hair is braided and then fixed on the head. There's not a single strand out of place.