The table was ready in less than twenty minutes, which said a great deal about the efficiency of the residence and very little about the normality of the situation. Rowena had asked whether there was real food in that place, Victor ordered meat to be brought, and the servants quickly understood that "meat" did not mean an elegant dish with decoration on the side. It meant large platters, thick cuts, bones with marrow, roasted ribs, whole birds, and rare pieces still releasing steam.
When everything was placed on the table, Rowena simply began to eat. She did not wait for an invitation, did not ask permission, and completely ignored the cutlery placed beside the plate. She grabbed a piece of meat by the bone, bit down, tore off a chunk with her teeth, and chewed with such direct satisfaction that even Victor spent a few seconds watching in silence.
He pointed at the knife and fork beside her.
"You know those are for eating, right?"
Rowena did not answer. She kept eating.
