Sovereign Hebner Grand sat at the head of the massive, carved dining table, his long hair draped over his broad shoulders. His crimson robes bled into the dark shadows of the room, and his eyes, slitted into dangerous amber pools, watched Hannah with a chilling, unreadable intensity as she placed the final silver platter before him.
The moment she stepped back, keeping her eyes fixed firmly on the floor, Hebner let out a low, aristocratic sigh. He didn't even look at the beautifully prepared food.
"Sit," Hebner commanded, his voice a deep, velvet rasp that vibrated through the quiet hall. "Sit down and eat the food you have prepared."
Hannah froze, her heart instantly hammering against her ribs. She kept her hands folded tightly in front of her dress. "My Lord... I cannot sit at the Sovereign's table," she whispered, her voice shaking slightly as she tried to maintain the rigid protocol of a servant. "I am perfectly okay. I will eat in the servants' quarters later."
