Escapism
Four out of the five people sitting at the Royal Family's table that evening were there while the King remained social with a glass of champagne in his hands and amongst the people.
Dinner had been served but Stephano was notorious for neglecting his appetite. He had been ignoring it for so many years that it was hardly an afterthought to him. Others seemed more worried about it than him, but it was mostly due to his thin frame despite how tall he was.
Occasionally, Leonor glanced at the empty spot at the head of the table where the King was meant to sit, but her focus was mostly on the room below where Stephano was pretending to be a sociable person.
She was surprised he was able to seem so bubbly and outgoing despite the dread he had been building up since she heard of the Winter Solstice Ball. He was a social chameleon who suited each situation.
She imagined an entire life in this environment was enough training for one person.