As soon as Xina entered the dining room, she hurried to her seat as if she had been saved. Noticing that her father's seat was empty, she immediately turned away to avoid Chloe's gaze as she sat down.
"Where's Dad?"
"The Governor called him over for a chat sometime after five this morning," Fatima said. "Don't wait for him. His breakfast has already been sent over—"
Before she could finish, a phlegmy, wheezing cough came from the doorway—Trion entered the small dining room, his face haggard.
Fatima's eyes widened slightly. "You're here, darling."
Trion muttered a curse. Xina and Chloe both froze—they had heard him cursing Arevalo. It was probably the first time.
"Eat!" Trion took the head seat. "I'm exhausted."
"The Governor—"
"Asleep." Trion raised his chin and let a servant tie his napkin for him. "That old bastard—"
"Darling?" Fatima curled her lips slightly and gave Trion a meaningful look.
Trion knew Fatima was reminding him that the walls probably had ears. The muscles beside his nostrils twitched a few times, then he heavily spat the phlegm that had been stuck in his throat all morning onto the napkin.
Trion casually tossed the used napkin onto the floor, and a servant immediately stepped forward to pick it up. At the same time, another servant placed a newspaper beside Trion's hand.
Trion had long expected what would be on the front page of today's paper, but the instant he saw the headline, he burst out laughing.
"Did you go listen to that whatever speech yesterday?" Trion unfolded the newspaper. "Those people formed a New Party on our farm."
Fatima did not answer at once. She merely smiled faintly. "I heard about it. Apparently, they kept at it until midnight."
"This is hilarious!" Trion pushed the newspaper in front of