The old hag, Violeta, wasn't at dinner, and neither was the princess. Prince Gayle also wasn't in attendance, which meant only three people sat at the dinner table.
Conversation was minimal, and Rylen looked too sad to join them. He barely ate his meal, and as soon as dinner was over, he left. Caius didn't try to stop him, nor did the King make any attempt to find out what was wrong.
Rose didn't mind that the dining room was empty; she preferred it as she was able to eat without being worried about the crazy old hag.
Not long after Rylen left, Caius led her out of the dining room with her hand clasped in his as they walked through the dimly lit walls of the castle.
Night had long fallen, and the only sources of light in the castle were the torches on the wall and the bright moonlight slipping through the open windows.
Rose leaned into Caius as servants stepped out of the way, bowing to both of them, their heads low enough to see their backs.
