As the food on the table steadily disappeared without being replaced, the conversation gradually lulled. It was the peace of full stomachs of everyone around the table, Nora and the familiars included.
Nora was a servant, and the familiars were familiars. They weren't supposed to sit at the same table as their master and eat or they didn't need ordinary food. However, the Empress Dowager insisted. And as soon as they ate, the familiars became grateful.
It wasn't ordinary food. Each dish was like a separate tonic for the mind and body. It was great enough that even they could feel the effects, much less Nora and Derot.
Zach had shot Derot a couple of glances while they ate to check on him and subtly hint that they should get this kind of food for themselves. If Derot had been able to look at anything but the fork in his hand and seen Zach's hints, he would have desperately shaken his head.
