(Alnitak)
I can't help but stare at her excited face. She carries the curiosity of a child while glancing around the palace. Her eyes sparkle like the flickering flames of a candlelight as she takes in every detail and rapidly asks questions.
We arrive in the dining hall, where the long dining table has already been set up for dinner.
"Let's settle down," my father invites everyone to sit.
The king's guard pulls out his chair and he settles in it.
My mother's chair is pulled out by Saiph. She elegantly takes her place at my father's right side.
I pull the chair for Amaia and help her sit in the blue velvet-wrapped chair. She beams at me before sitting down and I occupy the chair next to her.
The chair on the left side of my father is left unoccupied; that place is reserved for Alnilam and he is still not here. I sit next to Mama while Mintaka sits next to Alnilam's seat. Amaia is beside me while Kacir and Rahria are on the other side.
