Chapter 4: Indigestion, Anyone?

The dining hall was relatively quiet until all the food was delivered. No one dared speak until King Bayrel took a bite of his meal. Then, as if a spell was broken, conversations began around the table.

To Serenah's left was Duchess Decus. The petite woman was a huge influencer of high society trends and fashion. The duchess also loved to gossip, something Serenah hated. She did her best to appear interested in what the older woman had to say. She couldn't afford to offend the Duchess.

"So, Your Highness, did you hear about Marquis Casis's oldest son, Voracitas?"

Serenah shook her head no.

Duchess Decus leaned closer and whispered in her ear. "Voracitas has completed his knight training and has applied to be one of your personal guards."

Serenah, who was mid-sip, choked on her wine. She coughed once and blushed in embarrassment when her father glanced in her direction.

She lowered her head and pretended interest in her food. Unlike her sibling, she only had one personal guard. Amanah had six. Serenah didn't want anymore. She was content with just Alastar.

Duchess Decus didn't stop there. "I also heard that the Council of Nobles has asked our king when engagements for you and your sister will be announced. His answer was a bit vague. Maybe you have some insight?"

Serenah gave her a sideways look. "I'm sorry, Duchess. I don't know."

"Pity. You're such a beautiful young lady, surely one of the young nobles has caught your eye?"

It took all her patience not to tell the other woman to mind her own business. This was another aspect of being royal that she despised. Having to play nice with vipers.

"Father, I heard that a new group of knights has finished training," stated Amanah suddenly.

The chatter around the table halted as those gathered focused their attention on the Crown Princess.

Serenah was secretly glad her twin had spoken up. She wasn't happy about the choice of topic. However, she couldn't be picky. Anything that could divert the Duchess was welcomed.

"They have indeed. There are several promising trainees that would serve us well. Did one catch your eye?" acknowledged their father.

Serenah tensed at his words. Silently she prayed to Autem, the god of all creation, that her father had not chosen her a new guard.

Amanah grinned. "Maybe."

Serenah watched as several nobles eagerly leaned forward to hear her sister's next words.

Amanah took a sip of her wine, purposefully dragging out the moment by playing coy. "I would love to add another talented knight to my guard, but that would be selfish of me. Instead, I believe my sister should choose."

Serenah flinched. The hungry gazes of the nobles turned in her direction. She hated being put on the spot and her sister knew it. Striving for a calm she didn't feel, she finally responded, "Thank you, sister, for your kindness. I haven't seen any of the recruits so picking one right now would be premature." She turned her gaze to her father. "Your Majesty, I'm feeling fatigued. May I be excused?"

She resisted the urge to fidget as she endured her father's intense stare. After a moment he smiled. She felt a chill. What was he plotting?

"Yes, my daughter, you may go. Let us talk more on this subject another time."

"Yes, your Majesty." She stood and curtsied.

Alastar came to her side and offered his arm.

Happy to escape from the dinner, Serenah returned to her room, her thoughts full of the political trap she now had to avoid.