As they walked into the dining room, Sophia's eyes widened in awe. The room was even more beautiful and spacious than the one in her village castle. The walls were adorned with elegant artwork, and the floor was made of polished marble. The table was set with fine china and crystal glasses, reflecting the light from the chandelier above.
Sophia's gaze fell upon her uncle, Mr. Jonathan, who was seated at the far end of the table. He was surrounded by several plates, each filled with a different delicacy. Sophia's stomach growled at the sight and aroma of the food.
"Wow," Sophia muttered under her breath.
"I was waiting for you, Sophia," Mr. Jonathan said gently, his eyes twinkling with warmth. "Please join me."
Sophia walked towards him, her feet clicking on the marble floor. A maid was already standing beside the chair, waiting to seat Sophia. The maid dragged the chair out, and Sophia hesitated for a moment before sitting down.
"Thank you," Sophia said slowly, looking up at the maid.
The maid smiled and began to arrange the food on Sophia's plate. She added a slice of roasted chicken, a spoonful of mashed potatoes, and a sprinkle of steamed vegetables. Sophia's eyes followed the maid's movements, her stomach growling with anticipation.
As the maid finished setting the food, Sophia looked up at her uncle, who was watching her with a warm smile. Sophia had promised herself that she would ask her uncle all the questions she had about him, but now that she was sitting beside him, she felt a little shy.
Instead, she decided to thank him for his kindness. "Thank you so much, Uncle Jonathan, for taking me in," Sophia said quietly, looking down at her plate.
Mr. Jonathan gave a soft sigh, his eyes filled with warmth. "Well, Sophia, I'm just glad you're here. From now on, you can do whatever you want, and no one is rushing you."
The maid stepped back, and Mr. Jonathan nodded at Sophia's plate. "Alright, dig in, Sophia."
Sophia picked up her spoon, feeling a little more at ease. She took a bite of the chicken, and her eyes widened in surprise. "Hmm, this is great," she said, savoring the flavors.
Mr. Jonathan smiled, pleased that Sophia was enjoying her meal. As they ate, Sophia found herself feeling more and more comfortable around her uncle. He was easy to talk to, and he seemed genuinely interested in getting to know her.
As they finished their meal, Sophia began to ask her uncle questions about his estates. Mr. Jonathan answered her questions with sincerity, explaining the intricacies of his business dealings. Sophia listened intently, fascinated by the scope of her uncle's wealth and influence.
As they talked, the time flew by, and Sophia didn't even notice when the maid came to clear the table. Mr. Jonathan glanced at his watch, and his expression turned apologetic.
"I'm so sorry, Sophia, but I have a business meeting I need to attend to. I'll be back before midnight, and we can continue our conversation then."
Sophia nodded, feeling a little disappointed that their time together was being cut short. "Okay, Uncle Jonathan. I'll see you later."
Mr. Jonathan smiled and stood up, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "We have a lot more to discuss, Sophia. I'll see you tonight."
With that, he turned and left the dining room, leaving Sophia to her own thoughts. She sat back in her chair, feeling a little more at ease in her new surroundings. She couldn't wait to hear more about her uncle's life and business dealings.