"Thank you for the food," Duke Damatrius said.
"No need for thanks, Father," Leonda replied.
Leonda then served the Duchess a small portion of the main dishes, followed by Sydney, who offered no word of thanks, and then Alex.
"Thank you," Alex murmured.
"Hmm," Leonda responded, serving herself last, as Tarius, having only three people to serve, including himself, had long since settled. Once she was finished, everyone looked to the Duke except Alex, Sydney, and Eckloge, whose movements seemed almost robotic. The Duchess's movements were natural, as was the small smile that had been plastered on her face throughout the day, barely shifting. Alex's eyes were on the food, where she could see tiny specks of light green shimmering. The same shimmering effect was visible on everyone else's dishes, including the Duke's, but that didn't offer Alex much solace.
