"No. Please," she said, voice even, "take another seat. I've reserved this one for Florence."
The transformation on Eva's face was quick and startling. Her beauty faltered; her painted smile stiffened. She leaned in, her tone losing some of its feigned sweetness.
"What?" she whispered, brows lifting. "But she's not here yet."
Several princesses raised their heads from their cups, interest glinting in their eyes like cats watching birds.
Salviana folded her hands in her lap. Her heart knocked against her ribs, but she made sure her voice held calm authority. "Exactly my point. That is why I reserved it for her."
The answer, so simple and courteous, only seemed to fuel Eva's disbelief.
"You would deny me a seat," Eva said, her smile stretching thin. "Over someone absent?"
