It was night when we finally returned to the palace.
The royal dining table was set, a lavish spread waiting for us. The air was thick with the aroma of spiced chili chicken, sweet pastries, and something sharp—like lemons and fried oil. The plates overflowed with everything from purple eggs, sticky candies, and cupcakes slathered in pink icing, to beheaded venomous snakes simmered in rich broth, and crispy scorpion stingers drizzled with lemon juice.
"Come, sit with us," Scarlette said warmly, pulling Lumera in by the arm.
Lumera's jaw dropped.
"Is this what you guys eat every day?" she gasped, wide-eyed.
Without waiting for permission, she darted around the table like an unruly child, poking the food, sniffing plates, even peering under serving lids like she might uncover some hidden treasure.
"Look at that!" she pointed, her eyes sparkling at the fried scorpion stinger.
