Chapter 308

BY THE TIME THEY'D SHOWERED and changed the others had already made their way to the Great Hall. Entering behind another crowd of nobles, Loi ignored their stares, smiling at Lady Lenia as she waved frantically in their direction. They weaved their way around the crowds of people, breakfast without Cat and Alek in attendance a casual affair. Many people nodded at them as they passed and Sabyn responded while Loi smiled, the faces vaguely familiar by now but none of the names stuck.

'Here! Sit here,' Franti pleaded as they arrived at the seats assigned to Sabyn's family.

'No, here!' demanded Lenia.

'Good morning, Laura,' Lady Venilleta smiled graciously at her over the heads of the squabbling girls. 'Will you be joining us at the market today?'

Sabyn greeted his mother as Loi did and shook his head.

'Not today, I'm stealing her away for the day.'

Howls of protest rose from the two girls, while their grandmother, Duchess Ceilible, tsk'd from the other side of Venilleta.

'Girls! En