Page 18 of Consort's Dragon
Her admission led to Prielli biting her lip.“Perhaps I don’t have to use your honorific so often.”
The concession was a start.
With Prielli’s help, Avera was soon dressed and loving the design of the outfit.If—make that when—she made it back to Daerva, she’d have to describe it to Josslyn.They’d spoken of trying to make trousers fashionable for ladies before Avera’s abduction.This compromise might be an easier transition for those who feared being too mannish.
The dining hall didn’t have as many people as the previous evening, and the head table sat empty.When Prielli would have filled her plate from the buffet, Avera waved her off.“I can scoop my own food.Why don’t you go eat?”
“If I do, they’ll accuse me of neglecting you.”Prielli wrung her hands.
“In that case, we will dine together.”
“We can’t!”Prielli squeaked.
“Why not?We both need to eat.”
“Maids don’t eat with royalty.”
Some rules stayed the same even in other countries.“Perhaps some mornings you can bring a tray to my room then so we can partake together and share gossip.”
At that compromise, Prielli smiled.“That would be lovely.”
“Where should I sit?”
No surprise, Prielli pointed to the empty table.
Avera held in a sigh.Perhaps she shouldn’t have insisted on coming down.Once more, eyes followed her every movement.She could only imagine how many conversations centered around her as well.
She took her full plate to the same spot she’d sat in the night before and began to eat.She noticed curious glances, but no one approached her until she was almost done with her meal.
A woman of incredible beauty—her skin a light cream, her hair golden like the sun, wearing a dress that seemed much too elaborate for the morning—strode to a stop in front of Avera’s spot.
“What do you think you’re doing?”the stranger snapped.
“Eating.”It seemed rather obvious.
“You’re sitting at his eminence’s table.”
“You don’t say.”Avera leaned back in her seat as she braced herself for the harangue by someone who obviously didn’t know about Avera’s arrival.
“Only those of his inner court may sit here.”
“And?”
“You’re not one of them,” spat the woman.“I would know since I’m part of His Eminence’s retinue.”
“What’s your name?”Avera asked.
“None of your business.Now move before I have the guards called.”
“You don’t want to do that,” Avera murmured.
“I will not have you disrespect the emperor.”
“I’m not the one causing a scene,” Avera pointed out.
“Your very presence is an insult, and I won’t have it.”The woman lifted her chin and sniffed.
“You seem to care an awful lot about what your emperor would think.Are you close?”
