Chapter 79: A most akward dinner.
The grand dining hall of the royal castle was a breathtaking spectacle of opulence with it’s crystal chandeliers, shimmering floors, decorated walls and the long elaborately set table. Tension was ripe in the air as the diners took their seats, each looking uncertain, almost as if they were strangers to each other.
King Raff sat at the head of the table, his demeanor was unreadable, his thoughts unknown. Queen Maurelia sat beside him, her icy gaze the same as ever, it was filled with disdain for the man she was being forced to sit next to. It was easy to see their marriage, a union of political necessity had long been strained by mutual resentment.
Roland and Sigrid sat to the right of the king, exchanging nervous glances because the the arch duke, three of his children and princess Livia were at the dinner as well.
The second prince was next to the queen and the other princess spread out. It could not have been more clear that Rina’s children were choosing to sit as far away from the queen as possible which was not far considering that they were two or four chairs away from her.
The only chatter in the room aside from that of the cutlery was the youthful chatter of the two youngest children, a princess and a prince. It helped in subduing the palpable tension in the room.
"Serve the meal." The queen ordered.
The servants got to work immediately, serving the first course and the king broke the silence.
"It is not often we come together like this as a family, now that my eldest son is married and will soon make me a grandfather, I would like to change that tradition."
Sigrid and Roland shared another uncomfortable glance, just as they guessed, they were the protagonists of this dinner.