"B-but my duties as a maid…" Blanca trailed off, nervously.
Alwin was also educated on the practices here, so he understood why Blanca was hesitating.
Maids were taught to never dine with the ones they serve since they would be unable to do their job. Of course, there were exceptions such as this when they were invited to dine with their lord or lady.
Those who serve the Empress are nobles themselves, so dining with her upon orders was not really forbidden. It would only be punishable if it was the maid who rudely insisted on dining with the Empress, regardless of their family's status.
Riley was here as Alwin's assistant in the Magic Tower and likewise his butler. Thus, in settings where other people could see them, Riley always stood behind Alwin, ready to serve him. In formal meals, Riley would serve him as his butler, but if it was only the long-lived races present, Riley was free to dine with Alwin as they usually did in Estrella.
