The banquet was in full swing at Baron Carman's residence.
This was Veylin's last night before returning to the Gray Marsh Fief.
The table was laden with roasted venison legs sizzling with fat, shepherd's pie covered in rich gravy, and sweet berries piled into little mountains.
Baron Carman sat at the head of the table. He picked up a bottle of red wine and personally filled Veylin's glass.
Then he raised his own glass. "Veylin, your two brothers wrote to me. They praised you to the skies!"
The baron's face was flushed with drink.
"They said they absolutely must come back on their next leave to see for themselves just what sort of genius our Klein Family has produced! Haha!"
His voice was full of pride.
Veylin raised his glass, gently clinked it against his father's, and took a sip of red wine.
At the other end of the table, Lilia set down her knife, wiped her mouth with her napkin, and folded her hands in front of her.
"Brother, Father, Mother, I've made a decision too."
Everyone stopped what they were doing.
"In a few days, I'll leave for the Royal Capital. I wrote to Marchioness Audley, and she agreed to take me on as her lady-in-waiting."
Baron Carman froze.
Then an even prouder expression spread across his face, and he reached up to stroke his beard.
"This is a good thing," he said, his voice filled with emotion.
"For an unmarried noblewoman from a family like ours, serving in a great noblewoman's household is the best opportunity to learn management and etiquette and broaden her connections. It's worth more than any dowry. Lilia, you've grown up."
Veylin remained silent.
Lilia's entry into the Royal Capital's noble circles would give him an important piece on the board there. He