The rest of the day bled away with a strange, exhausting sort of quiet. By the time the final echoes of high-society gossip cleared from the grand corridors and the absolute nonsense of the ruined anniversary banquet finally drew to a close, evening had already settled heavily over the estate.
Heena sat at the ornate mahogany table in her new quarters, staring at the sheer absurdity of the dinner spread before her.
The feast was massive. There was perfectly roasted chicken glistening under a rich glaze, delicate fish seasoned with rare spices, savory ham, thick cuts of pork, and even a steaming platter of slow-braised pig trotters. Looking at the sheer volume of food, she couldn't help but marvel at the desperate drive behind it all. It was a stark, material reminder of just how much meticulous preparation and wealth the Marquis and Marchioness had poured into their golden party, only for it to be completely dismantled in a single afternoon.
