The private royal dining hall felt surprisingly intimate compared to the throne room, with only half the twelve high-backed chairs occupied.
Scented wax candles placed at precise intervals illuminated the dark mahogany table and silver platters arranged with mathematical perfection.
High mullioned windows framed the pale morning sky, casting cool silver light across the dark oak wainscoting and velvet draperies.
Two footmen in crisp maroon liveries stood motionless beside the sideboards, holding silver ewers of warmed spiced wine and sweet cider.
Hajin sat beside Juna, who remained entirely silent since entering the chamber, keeping her tail wrapped securely around one chair leg.
Across the table, Princess Didi sat between her royal stepmother, Queen Rosalind, and a young half-brother whom nobody bothered to introduce.
The young prince appeared twelve at most, possessing his royal father's piercing eyes without their commanding, formidable authority.
