The dinner hall smelled of roasted meat, freshly baked potatoes, and cooked vegetables. Rain pattered softly against the windows, the chandelier glowing warmly while thunder roared occasionally outside, the sound chilling one's bones.
"Why is the storm so strong tonight?" a maid whispered as she stood among the row of servants lining against the wall while others served the food.
"I wonder… I've never seen rain fall this heavily here before."
"It almost feels like the Gods are furious about something."
"What Gods?" another servant scoffed. "You still believe in them? After what they did with that Temple?"
"…I was just saying! I don't actually believe—"
"Shh, both of you! Don't be rude in front of the Lord and His Imperial Highness."
The whispers died instantly, the servants' hands folding neatly in front of them, their gazes dropping to the floor.
