Chapter 55. Everyone Knows You

Caliana’s POV

I moved through the crowd with practiced ease, my smile polite and my posture composed as I interacted with the guests. The hall was warm with laughter and music, the air scented with rich spices and expensive wine. Voices overlapped in a pleasant hum, punctuated by bursts of laughter and the clink of glasses. Everywhere I turned, people bowed their heads slightly or greeted me with respect, their eyes curious but friendly. I answered questions, accepted compliments, and listened to idle chatter, all while maintaining the calm, graceful demeanor expected of me.

Soon enough, the head chef emerged from the kitchen, clapping his hands together to draw attention. His voice carried clearly through the hall as he announced that dinner was ready and invited everyone to move into the dining room. Chairs scraped softly against the floor as people rose, conversations taper