"...the roasted venison smells absolutely incredible. I hope the cooks are treating you all well?"
"We are doing wonderfully, Ragnar," Louis said. "But... you are entirely sure we aren't going to war?"
"Oh, ignore that, Louis. Just some boring border disputes in the south," Ragnar answered, "Nothing that requires ruining a good dinner."
Gyda let out a sigh. She knew Ragnar was hiding something massive, but she also understood he was doing it to protect the peace of the room.
Ragnar chewed his bread, looking around the table with curiosity.
"By the way, what happened in here while I was outside?" Ragnar asked, raising an eyebrow. "I heard the double doors open, and someone was shouting. Did one of the castle hounds get loose in the kitchens again?"
"Oh, no, it wasn't a hound," Queen Ermentrude smiled, her elegant composure finally returning. "It was Ealdred, the new master of your educational schools."
