The doors of the banquet hall opened slowly before me.
Warm golden light spilled out from within, along with the low murmur of voices and the soft music of instruments I could not quite name.
For a moment, I remained standing at the top of the grand staircase. My hands rested lightly against the rail as I gathered my breath.
The blue gown the maids had dressed me in flowed around me like the night sky itself. The velvet bodice held tightly to my waist while the skirts fell in layers of soft fabric that shimmered faintly with every movement. Tiny silver threads were woven into the cloth, catching the candlelight like scattered stars.
The sleeves draped elegantly from my arms, and the weight of the gown made every step feel slow.
Below me stretched the royal banquet hall. It was far grander than anything I had imagined.
A long crimson carpet ran across the polished marble floor, leading directly toward a raised platform at the far end of the hall. Massive chandeliers hung high above, their hundreds of candles casting warm light across the room.
The tables stretched across the hall in two long rows, dressed in white cloth so pure it seemed untouched.
Golden candle stands flickered gently along their length, surrounded by arrangements of flowers that filled the air with a soft fragrance.
Nobles and court officials filled the seats, their voices blending into a quiet hum of conversation. Silk gowns, jeweled necklaces, everywhere I looked there was wealth and elegance.
My heart beat a little faster.
This world felt so far from the quiet life I had known.
I had just begun my descent down the staircase when one of the palace guards stepped forward.
He bowed his head respectfully. "My lady," he said softly.
He offered his hand.
I hesitated for only a moment before placing my gloved fingers into his palm.
He guided me carefully down the remaining steps, the heavy skirt of my gown trailing softly behind me with each movement. When my feet finally reached the marble floor, I lifted my gaze. That was when I saw them.
At the far end of the hall, upon the raised platform, stood the royal table. Unlike the others, it was shorter yet far more grand, placed beneath a great banner bearing the crest of the kingdom.
Seated at the center was the king. Even from this distance, there was no mistaking him. His pale hair fell over his shoulders like silver, and the candlelight glinted against the crown resting upon his head. His posture was relaxed, yet there was a quiet power in the way he sat, as though the entire hall moved according to his will alone.
Those same crimson eyes settled upon me, before looking away.
Beside him sat the prince.
Prince Nathan leaned slightly back in his chair, one hand resting lazily against the armrest. His white blond hair stood out from his dark attire, and his expression carried the same bored indifference I had seen before. Yet something about his gaze felt sharper tonight.
Like a blade hidden beneath silk.
A hush seemed to follow me as I neared the tables.
The soft music still played somewhere in the hall, and servants continued their duties quietly, yet it felt as though the entire room had turned its attention toward me.
The moment I stepped closer, heads began to turn.
One after another. Soon nearly every gaze in the hall had fallen upon me.
Even the king lifted his eyes again.
Prince Nathan's gaze slid over me with open displeasure, his expression tightening as though the mere sight of me had offended him.
My steps slowed. A strange uneasiness crept into my chest.
Why were they staring at me like that?
Had I done something wrong?
My eyes moved across the long table, searching for my place. The seats reserved for us maidens had been set not far from the royal table itself, though still at a respectful distance from the king and the prince.
The seat beside Lady Charlotte had already been taken by another noble lady, leaving only one empty chair further down the table. Beside Lady Isabella
It was the only choice I had. So I did the best thing I could.
I gathered the folds of my gown and took the empty seat quietly, careful not to draw more attention than I already had.
The chair scraped softly against the marble floor as I settled into it.
Lady Isabella turned her head slightly toward me.
For a brief moment her eyes met mine. Then her lips curled faintly. She flashed me a look of clear disgust before returning her attention to her plate as though I were no more than an unpleasant interruption.
I lowered my gaze to the table.
Before us lay a display of royal luxury. Silver platters filled with roasted meats, golden goblets of wine, bowls of fresh fruits, loaves of bread still warm from the ovens, and dishes whose scents I could not even begin to name.
Servants moved silently between the tables, pouring wine and replacing plates with practiced grace.
At the head of the hall, the king resumed speaking, as though my arrival had been nothing more than a passing distraction.
They spoke of matters far beyond my understanding… wars along distant borders, disputes between provinces, and the endless matter of taxes and trade. Their voices carried calmly across the table, the nobles nodding in agreement or adding their thoughts as though such matters were the most ordinary things in the world.
It made me wonder why they had invited us here in the first place. Perhaps I was the only person in the entire hall who had no knowledge of such things.
I had no appetite. Especially not when I could feel eyes drifting toward me every now and then.
I lifted my goblet and took a small sip, hoping the wine might calm my nerves, but instead my body began to feel warm… far too warm.
A thin layer of sweat gathered along my forehead.
My fingers tightened slightly around the goblet. I did not know I had such a terrible fear of crowds until this moment.
Because why else would I feel such sudden fear merely for sitting at a table?