THE AWAKENING || Vol.1 From The Saga "Arcanes" written by Sofia Guapo Mendes

CHAPTER X - POOR DUKE

I didn't have much time before breakfast, so I went downstairs with my hair still damp from the shower. The dining hall wasn't far from my room. All I had to do was go down the main stairs and head left, passing by several portraits and busts decorating the walls. Some depicted well-known figures, while others had names that were now unfamiliar.

At some point, I heard footsteps behind me and quickly turned around. It was a rather tall girl with greenish eyes and brown hair. If not for her height and lack of authority in her gaze, I almost mistook her for Sophia.

"Hello!" she said, walking towards me.

"Hi!" I greeted her back.

"Sorry I didn't come to greet you yesterday, Sarah, but something came up. I'm Catherine, but just call me Cat, it's easier."

She seemed extremely friendly, but her muscular physique intimidated me a bit. It looked like everyone in this palace was born to fight...

Since I didn't respond right away, she continued:

"We're running a little late, don't you think? Why don't we go in?" she suggested, pointing to the ornate door at the end of the hallway, from which the sounds of cutlery and conversation were coming. I nodded and hurried to follow her into the dining hall.

I must admit, the way the conversations abruptly stopped when we entered made me uncomfortable. Still, I sat in the spot Cat indicated, right next to her.

The table was set for eight people, all of whom were now staring at me. At one end sat a girl with black hair and strikingly blue eyes. To her right was Seth, with Cat beside him, and I was seated on Cat's other side. To the left of the black-haired girl, across from Seth, was Sophia, followed by Jax and another man with snow-white hair, though he looked like he was in his thirties. At the other end of the table sat an older man in good shape, with olive-colored eyes and gray hair and beard. And of course, at Seth's feet was Duke, happily munching on a piece of bread.

"There's no bacon," Seth said, breaking the silence. "He had to settle for bread."

I glanced again at Duke, noticing how disappointed he looked. Poor dog really wanted some bacon...

"So, Sarah, did you sleep well?" Sophia asked.

"Yes... ma'am."

It felt strange calling someone who looked my age "ma'am," but she was too intimidating for me to feel comfortable addressing her by name.

"Good, we have a lot of work to do today," she said, standing up and heading out of the room.