Next day, the great hall was set for a formal luncheon with visiting lords from the western border.
Alina walked in and followed her usual path to her seat but that seat was already taken by a visiting countess, Lady Harding.
Alina stopped. Lady Harding was arranging her napkin when Alina reached her. Apparently, she had been told the seat was available.
Alina glanced around the table and saw every seat occupied. Everyone looked at her as she stood there awkwardly.
Lady Pemberton's face was beaming with happiness. Marguerite half-rose, ready to give up her own seat to her. Emeric, farther down, was thinking of a solution.
Instead of making a scene, she paused for a second, then turned and walked out into the corridor. A few seconds later, she returned carrying a plain wooden chair, the one used by servants in the kitchens. She set it down beside Lady Harding and sat.
The countess sputtered.
"I…I was told this chair was…"
"No worries," Alina said with a smile.
