Caius sat down at the dinner table, trying his hardest not to appear bored. Lord Edric was very chatty and was currently introducing his family to him. Caius didn't care for them, but the Marquis of Stonegate was a cornerstone of Velmount; he couldn't be rude.
"This is my wife, Isabel. My eldest daughter, Helen, the second youngest, Beatrice, and the youngest, Linda."
Caius smiled. "Lady Isabel is as beautiful as they say, and your daughters are even more so. It's a pleasure, ladies."
Lady Helen turned her face to the side at Caius's comment, while Lady Beatrice smiled right at him. The youngest just looked happy to be there.
"We are pleased to welcome you, Your Highness," Lady Isabel was saying. "I hope the meal is to your liking."
"It's wonderful," Caius replied. "Don't you think so, Prince Rylen? I don't think I've ever had something more delicious."
Rylen kept his expression neutral as he replied. "Yes, of course. I was wondering what the main ingredient was."
