Chapter 49: Night Time
Chapter 22: Night Time
It was night when we finally returned to the palace.
The royal dining table was set, a lavish spread waiting for us. The air was thick with the aroma of spiced chili chicken, sweet pastries, and something sharp—like lemons and fried oil. The plates overflowed with everything from purple eggs, sticky candies, and cupcakes slathered in pink icing, to beheaded venomous snakes simmered in rich broth, and crispy scorpion stingers drizzled with lemon juice.
"Come, sit with us," Scarlette said warmly, pulling Lumera in by the arm.
"Lumera’s jaw dropped, eyes widening as she took in the feast. ’Is this what you guys eat every day?’ she gasped, her voice tinged with disbelief."
Without waiting for permission, she darted around the table like an unruly child, poking the food, sniffing plates, even peering under serving lids like she might uncover some hidden treasure.
"Look at that!" she pointed, her eyes sparkling at the fried scorpion stinger.
"Watch your child, Scarlette," I teased, unable to stop my laughter. The clink of cutlery and the warm hum of chatter—it felt like home.
"Lumera... come sit," Scarlette called again, still laughing.
Lumera spun to face me, pouting.
"Your Majesty, I am not a child."
"Then why are you not using your utensils?" I raised a brow, amused. "Didn’t they teach you that in Fairy School? Oh wait—they’ll probably cover that next year."