XXXII.

The atmosphere at the table was tense to say the least. The only sound was Carol's bashful sipping tea. Erwing was sitting next to his mother, with his hands on the table and fingers intertwined. Stuart and Regina were settled opposite of them. Loreley's chair was pushed away from the table. When a servant brought Louise into the room, the girl was cheerful and excited to meet her new grown-up friend. However, her mood changed quickly when she noticed the unknown female character sitting next to him. She pursed her lips, threw away the doll she was carrying and rudely left the room. Loreley went after her.