The dining table was arranged meticulously: at its head sat King Thorian, dignified and at ease in the morning light. Alina sat to his right, eyes downcast but alert, trying to summon calm despite the stress coiled inside her. Serena sat on the left, elegant but distant, her piercing eyes constantly darting to Alina with a slight grin that hardly concealed her contempt. Evelina smiled softly beside her, providing a ray of warmth in the otherwise tense situation. Lyra sat beside Alina, offering a subtle strength, her presence steady and calm.
As the servants poured tea and brought out trays of warm bread, fruit, and roasted meats, Serena leaned over, her voice carrying a pointed tone meant to sound offhand but unmistakably directed at Alina.