The clinking of plates and low murmur of voices filled the banquet hall, but Serena's mind stayed with Elen.
The food on her plate was fragrant and well-prepared, but she hadn't eaten much of it. She pushed her roasted vegetables around slowly, stealing glances at the young woman seated beside her. Elen chewed in silence, her hands folded politely, and her eyes downcast.
"You don't have to be so stiff," Serena said in a whisper, tilting her head slightly. "It's not a ceremony."
Elen blinked and looked at her with a faint smile. "I know. I just… I don't want to embarrass myself."
Serena leaned closer. "You will not. Trust me, if anyone were to embarrass themselves, it would've been me already."
Elen let out a soft laugh and covered her mouth with her hand. "That's not true. You carry yourself better than I do."
Serena gave her a playful glance. "Oh, you should have seen me my first time at a formal table. I spilled red wine on the server's llap and blamed it on a shaky table."
