23 XXII. Poor me, all alone with no friends

On the end of the table sat king Nä-Rüto who held a goblet of wine in his hand as usual, a roast turkey dripping with sorne, a spicy sauce eaten by the people of Närunïa sat at the middle of the table. Prosciutto wrapped scallops with lemon and parsley butter sat on the plate in front of every one as they ate the first course of the meal. It seemed like the servants who served the meal used the turkey to decorate the table as it was not yet time for the main course.

Of course, the king started every meal with a sip of wine so while everyone had the appropriate cutlery in their hand, he had his wine in his hand, brewed specially for him by Rapha from the grapes which grew in the princess's garden.

The queen Nä-tâshā, sat at the other end, opposite her husband with her cutlery in hand as she delicately ate the meal in her front. The Duke sat side by side with his wife at the longer end of the table while Ærtle sat opposite them, the princess by his side.