Chandeliers and Silverware

And with that, the two of them set off to the dining room, Alma's arm wrapped around Allen's in a warm and affectionate gesture. Their shoulders bumped against each other's in a comfortable, familiar way as they made their way to the dining hall, their footsteps in sync with one another. The soft glow of the chandelier above cast a gentle light on their path, creating a serene ambiance that perfectly matched their mood. As they approached the grand double doors of the dining room, the murmur of conversation and the clinking of silverware became more pronounced. Seated at the table were Allen's mother and his three other sisters, but to his great relief, not his father. Llewyn and Carina, his two older sisters, did not even look up or greet the two when they walked in. They simply continued eating their food, engrossed in their own conversations. Eilene, his little sister and the youngest of the flock, briefly looked up and offered something that might have been half a smile to her brother before she resumed eating her meal. Lady Rendlyn, Allen's mother, Queen of the kingdom of Cresna, did actually look up to greet the twins but also followed it up with a brief scowl, as if she were upset they were late for lunch. 

"I am glad you finally decided to grace us with your presence," the queen said, her tone cool and disapproving.

"Forgive me, mother, we were-"

"Do not bother me with your excuses," she interrupted, "just eat."

The twins quietly sat down at the table, careful not to say anything further that might upset their mother. 

Allen and Alma had already given instructions to Lilia to get them a platter of their favorites from the kitchen, so all they had to do was wait for the maid to return. While waiting, Allen took in the full assembly of the female members of his family.

Next to him was his gorgeous twin, Alma, who was dressed in a beautifully crafted dark-blue gown that had a very deep v-cut that showed off her large, creamy cleavage. She wore a golden necklace with a blue sapphire at its center that was just the right size and shape to nestle perfectly between her breasts. Her long, silver-blue hair was pulled back in a braid that flowed down her back like a waterfall of pure starlight.

Across from the twins sat the queen herself, from whom they had both inherited their striking good looks. Lady Rendlyn's long, raven-black hair had the occasional strand of silver to show her age but was still beautiful and lustrous nonetheless. The crimson red ball gown she was wearing had an incredibly low-cut neckline that displayed a generous amount of her ample bosom, which had not lost any of its youthful allure. Unlike the twins, however, the queen's eyes were a piercing, shimmering emerald green that seemed to bore into one's very soul, peeling back the layers to reveal the true essence of the person before her.

To her left was the eldest daughter, Carina. At a staggering five feet eleven, she towered over the rest of the women in the room and was easily the tallest woman Allen had ever seen. Out of all the Rendlyn children, Carina took most after their father in both looks and personality, which was not a good thing in his opinion. The woman had her father's stern, cold demeanor, as well as his broad build. 

Unlike the man, though, Carina had an athletic body, not an overweight one. Her lithe, toned frame suggested a dedication to physical fitness and a disciplined lifestyle. She also didn't possess her mother's fair, delicate skin but instead had the same tanned, weathered complexion as her father, a testament to her time spent outdoors and her rugged nature.

Carina was dressed in a rather plain-looking black dress with a white shawl over her shoulders, a simple yet elegant ensemble that accentuated her natural beauty. Her silver-blue hair, cut short and styled in a bob, was pulled back by a red hairband, allowing one to take in her face more clearly. Although she was not a bad-looking woman, it was hard for Allen to see much beauty in her since he was usually on the receiving end of her glares.

On the other side of the table, across from Carina, was the middle child, Llewyn. In contrast to her elder sister's harsh demeanor, Llewyn embodied the very essence of femininity. She had the same piercing, emerald-green eyes as her mother, but her features were softer, and she had a round, childlike face that gave her an almost cherubic appearance. Like Alma, Llewyn had her long, silver-blue hair styled in a braid that reached past her waist; only hers was woven with strands of gold ribbon. She was wearing a lacy white dress with a floral pattern that accentuated her slender figure. A matching white bonnet sat atop her head, giving her an innocent, girlish charm.

Lastly, sitting on the queen's right side was the youngest daughter, Eilene. Of all the Rendlyn children, Eilene most closely resembled their mother. She had the same fair skin, delicate features, and piercing green eyes. However, where the queen was cold and regal, Eilene was warm and compassionate. The two of them couldn't have been more different.

Eilene had long, silky black hair that flowed down her back like an endless stream of ink. Her bangs were cut straight across her forehead, and a single blue rose was tucked behind her left ear. She was wearing a simple yet elegant white dress with a floral pattern and lace trim. A delicate silver chain encircled her slim neck, and her hands were covered by a pair of long, white silk gloves.

When they were younger, Allen had been remarkably close with his little sister. He fondly remembered how she would trail after him, her small hand grasping the hem of his shirt as she tried to keep up with his longer strides. She had adored him, tagging along wherever he went, always seeking his attention and approval.

As she reached the cusp of adulthood, something in their relationship had shifted. Allen noticed a growing distance between them, a hesitation in her gaze, and a reluctance to engage with him as she once had. It became clear that their family had exerted increasing pressure on her to conform, to distance herself from Allen and the ostracization he faced. Though she was never outright unkind, a palpable tension had settled between them, and she seemed unsure of how to navigate their once effortless camaraderie. Allen couldn't blame her; after all, they all had their roles to play. Still, he missed her dearly.

At the sound of footsteps approaching the table, everyone looked up. Lilia, their personal maid, was bringing out a silver tray laden with food, followed by two other maids who were carrying a pair of chairs. Once everything was set, the servants took their leave, and Allen and Alma tucked in. The dishes prepared were some of their favorite meals, consisting of baked cod with a creamy mustard sauce, roasted potatoes sprinkled with herbs, and a hearty stew of meat and vegetables.

After the food had been set down, the twins immediately started eating their food at a quick pace.

"Honestly, you two. Can you not even bother to wait until we are finished before starting your meal? I swear, you get less manners every day," Carina complained with a scowl.

.

"It is quite rude, you know," Llewyn chimed in, a smug smirk on her face.

"I apologize, dear sisters, but it is important for us to keep our energy up," Alma said while she was cutting a large piece of cod with a knife and fork.

"What for? I doubt you have anything important to do, especially with how lazy the two of you are."

"Actually, we do have some important business to attend to. We're going riding; my new roan mare will be delivered later today," Alma told them, her mouth full of roasted potatoes.

"Is that so?" the queen said, an interested glint in her eyes. "That does sound exciting. What kind of mare is it? Is she a good breed?"

"Yes, it's a beautiful one. Her name is Starfire, and she was imported from the kingdom of Avelorn. She cost me a fortune, but I'm sure she's worth it," Allen answered, taking a sip of wine.

"I think it was a waste of money," Llewyn commented with a derisive sniff; her nose crinkled as if she smelled something foul.

"And why would that be, dear sister?" Allen asked, a slight edge in his tone.