Bastian has outdone himself. Head waiter Bishop stands at my right and lifts off the sterling silver dome in a dramatic sweep. Steam and spice waft across the length of the table.

Victoria, to my left, gives out a little moan.

Gwendolyn is seated at my right. Rupert and Dora are seated together, across from me. Cyndi is seated next to Dora. Rupert has Grandmother seated on his other side, followed by Char.

Gwendolyn's cymbal clanging laughter adds to Bishop's flair. He gives her a sharp look and jumps back but then steps forward gingerly and selects a lamb chop and a pigeon breast for me before moving over to Gwendolyn's shoulder.

"I'd like a wing, please, and a leg. You know me, I love to dance and to wave. I know, I look like I eat like a bird but the excitement of being here has given me such an appetite." She leans towards me conspiratorially and swivels her head and giggles. Her bony shoulders tremble above her low décolletage.

I stifle the urge to bolt from the table. I hear a low moan from Victoria, who is seated on my left. Her nose is twitching and she is twisting her napkins in both hands. Across the table, Dora gasps, "Oh, this is so elegant. I want to eat like this every evening for the rest of my life."

I'm actually horrified to see Prince Rupert's smile. He must think its genuine but he looks possessed. Rupert looks into Dora's eyes with a wrinkled brow and promises , "And so you shall. Every wish of yours will be my command."

She squeals and wiggles in her seat like an excited puppy. I sigh and wonder whether any of them are house broken. I have the sudden thought that my castle has become a zoo. My table certainly has never been so uncivilized before. Bishop serves young Char, who promptly picks up the wrong fork and saws off a piece of roast. Before Bishop serves Dowager Margaret, the child inhales that bite and is working on another. I see the Dowager give a small smile and then lay her hand upon the child's arm. "No need to hurry, child. Take your time to taste and savor." Her eyes twinkle and her voice is soft and soothing. I remember how she was always kindly to me when my parent's fought. This child is taking advantage of Granny, who's never had a young girl in the palace.

"I'd like to propose a toast." Rupert lifts his glass high, "To our inter-galactic union. Tomorrow night, I will announce Dora and my engagement at the masquerade ball. The ball was scheduled long before I had the good fortune to meet Dora. But I'm thrilled to be able to make it official so soon. I can't wait to show off Dora and her delightful family to all the kingdom."

I thought I could detect a flicker of shock run across Cyndi's face. Her pretty brow wrinkles for a split second and then she ducks her chin and stares at her plate. Her eyes cut across to look at Char and then stray over to my place at the table and slowly rise up. I feel a perceptible shock that buzzes against my wrists, as though my hands are bound by electric wire. My heart races and I imagine I see her pupils bloom. Her dark brown eyes turn into twin inky black pools. She startles and her hand sweeps her dessert fork off her plate. I note that she has taken only one bite of her creme brûlée.

Bishop nods and his under butler dips to retrieve the implement. He gives her another clean fork but she shakes her head and he removes her dessert.

Bishop raises his eyes in silent question. I nod. Bishop gathers my dessert and continues around the table. There is a murmur of protest that dinner is finished. When the King finishes, so do his guests. I wonder at my instinct to cover for her overreaction. No matter, my appetite is ruined. I can only think of brandy, to wash down fire with fire.

"Let us retire to the parlor with a bit of entertainment for our guests." Rupert announces.