"Agnes! Fiona!" Father chastised. "Give your respects. Now!"
Hesitation became their gaze, but seeing the knights were ready to rip them apart without question, they curtsied.
"We came here to see the Monarch," Father began, and I knew he went down to business to kill the tension in the air.
He was smart enough to know how this would end if it went further.
"The monarch is busy and has asked me to welcome you in his place," I said.
"I see. Then we shall honor your presence."
Having this man bow his head as he speaks to me was truly a rare sight. A man who never looked my way and spoke to me like I was furniture.
"Let us go inside; you must all be tired and famished after your long journey."
~•~
Silence filled the hall, and nobody attempted to eat. The look on Fiona's and Stepmother's faces told me that they were a bit apprehensive, or maybe they were daunted by the fine cuisines on display, several dishes that had never graced their tables before.
