The dining hall was transformed by the sheer splendour of the meal laid out before us. Dishes covered every inch of the polished oak table, each more sumptuous than the last, and a heady aroma of spices, herbs, and slow-cooked meats filled the room.
At the centre, Leora's influence was unmistakable, each dish a work of art reflecting her unparalleled skill as the finest cook in both realms.
Seated across from me, Riley looked slightly awestruck, her usual composure softened by a childlike anticipation.
A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she took in the sights and scents. Beside me, Ciara leaned in, whispering with a grin, "Leora went all out tonight. No one cooks like her."
I nodded in agreement, catching Leora's eye across the table. She was watching with that warm, knowing smile of hers, the one she reserved for special occasions. Aeliana, sitting beside Ciara, was practically beaming, her eyes reflecting the dancing candlelight.
