Only half the candelabras in the palace banquet hall were lit that night.
Wolof had specifically ordered the side tables removed, leaving only a round table in the center. Its top was a single slab of polished sandstone, its grain glowing with fine, warm golden lines in the candlelight.
Seven high-backed chairs stood casually around it, with no distinction between places of honor and lesser seats.
Wolof's exact words had been, "The Uchiha Clan doesn't like outsiders. Tonight, it'll just be our two families. No need for ceremony."
0
He had intended to seat Lia and Cobra on his right, with the four Uchiha taking their places in order on his left.
But the moment Lia entered, she headed straight for Barlow's side. Her steps were unhurried, but there was no hesitation in her direction.
Wolof opened his mouth, then swallowed the seating arrangements he had been about to announce.
Next, Cobra released his sister's hand and pattered toward the other end of the round table on his short little legs, throwing his arms around Roy's calf.
Roy had been studying the arrangement of the honey-soaked date cakes on the table. The sudden hug nearly made him knock the plate over. Looking down and seeing Cobra, he grinned, bent over, and lifted the little boy onto the chair beside him.
Mila pulled out a chair and sat down.
Damian waited until nearly everyone had found their places before strolling over to the first seat on Wolof's left.
Barlow sat on Wolof's right, and Lia naturally settled beside him.
The final arrangement was nothing like what Wolof had imagined, but the old king glanced around the table and said nothing more. He simply raised his wineglass and stood.
"Alubarna survived today's battle, and the Nefertari Family lives on, thanks entirely to