Dominic leaned back in his chair at the elegantly set dining table, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "I knew the princess wouldn't come," he murmured, his eyes fixed on Viviana, who stood just inside the doorway, a picture of hesitant grace.
"Taking your princess's place, right?"
Viviana offered a slight curtsy, her expression carefully neutral. "I'm sorry, Your Highness, but Princess Liliana is feeling rather under the weather this evening and sends her sincerest apologies."
Dominic waved a dismissive hand. "It's fine. More interesting this way, perhaps." He gestured towards the table. "Let's eat."
Servants, moving with trained silence, began to serve their meal. The clinking of silverware against porcelain was the only sound for a few moments as they placed dishes of roasted fowl, steamed vegetables, and fragrant rice before them.
