[Meredith].
Breakfast began quietly, with only the clink of silver and the soft hum of conversation breaking the stillness.
Draven leaned slightly toward Oscar, his tone even. "Do you have an idea where my father is?"
Oscar nodded, dabbing the edge of his mouth with a napkin. "Busy entertaining the Council of Elders who came to welcome you this morning."
Draven's brow lifted. "You know, you could have warned me about my father's plans for that—along with this evening's banquet."
Oscar gave a mild shrug. "Neither of those plans is harmful."
Draven narrowed his eyes at him playfully. "It sounds like you've already decamped to my father's side."
Oscar's lips curved faintly. "Well," he said with mock solemnity, "your father is my next favourite person after you."
Dennis looked up from his plate, feigning offence. "Thank you for exposing this. I wouldn't have known that I don't even make the top two in your heart."
