Ren narrowed her eyes as she pulled out a chair for her maiden and seated her at her left hand. Arkilla, naturally, settled beside the girl. The gesture alone drew sharp glances from several nobles. Their glares said enough, they found the act offensive, but none dared voice their displeasure aloud. But among them, Ren spotted some agreeing and smiling, mostly the ones who befriended humans in this castle. Ren had a purpose for doing this, to prove to them not all humans were shrewd and crafty. She could swear that among shifters some men and women loved each other but dared not to express or show it.
Lunch passed pleasantly, the food too good to invite arguments. Even those who held their pride like a sword chose to eat in silence before returning to their provinces. This was actually a farewell ritual before the elders of each land would leave.
