When mealtime approached, the king summoned the crew and his relatives to the grand dining hall. Elvessa, too excited to see the king, walked briskly ahead toward the hall.
Amarisse scowled at her daughter and called her to a halt.
"Elvessa, what are you doing? Don't forget the etiquette. A lady should walk like the wind caressing the leaves—soft and slow, her feet barely touching the floor," she scolded, pushing her back to straighten her spine.
Then why did you rush to claim the room from your sister? The words hung on Elvessa's tongue, but she stopped herself in time, nodding at her mother and adjusting her pace.
As they were about to descend the stairs, they encountered Senara approaching from the other direction. Amarisse controlled the smile tugging at her lips and offered a curt bow.
