Lanci and the Empress sat on opposite sides of the delicately carved dining table, a silver candelabrum in the center exuding nobility and solemnity, though no candles were lit at its top, and the light from outside was so dim that despite it being midday, hardly any color was reflected on the surrounding tableware, the air carrying a hint of the haziness of a rainy day.
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress."
Lanci expressed his thanks to the Empress.
After a brief exchange before the meal, the dinner table fell quiet for a long stretch of time, the attendants serving dish after dish as both of them mused to themselves, maintaining proper etiquette as they ate.
Not until the clock had almost imperceptibly moved halfway around did the lunch break come to an end, and the attendants once again cleared the table, restoring it to its pre-meal state.
Empress Kexiya stared out at the garden that looked as though it might start raining at any moment, and fell silent for a while.