Sennu stood alone on the outer edges of the room, staring vacantly at the wall that was placed opposite.
The servant was dressed in full uniform, his clothes pristine and perfectly arranged. His buttons and shoes were all polished to a dull shine, unmarked and unmarred by his work. Even the man’s hair sat flat atop his head, with the aid of some level of care and product, which was quite an accomplishment considering how unruly it often proved naturally.
Both of his hands were covered with flawless white gloves, and atop one of these he balanced an ornate silver platter. The platter was, in turn, stacked high with treats and delicacies, should any of the nobles decide to indulge. A pitcher and several glasses rested on a small bench nearby, tucked unobtrusively against a section of wall that would have otherwise remained vacant. Between the two, Sennu possessed most everything that would be necessary to conduct his regular duties.
Had he taken the opportunity to glance about, Sennu would have seen that he was accompanied by several other men and women of varying ages, all dressed in similar uniforms. They stood about the perimeter of the room like sentries, watching the meeting’s participants, whilst trying to look as if they were not paying any mind to the discussion itself. Other master-servants, spread out just enough to avoid dissuade chit-chat, or any other sort of fraternization.
Even if they hadn’t been, none of them would have indulged. They were supposed to be the best of their field – the sort of people who would be appointed the title of ‘Master’, had their work constituted an actual craft.
As it was, Sennu did not bother to so much as glance at them. He knew that Mara – one of his coworkers who he was particular good friends with – was present, but he did not search her out. She would be busy tending her own section of the table, just as he himself did. They would likely gossip and chat about it later, but until then, the only ones to speak within the lavish room were the members of the meeting themselves.
The king, first and foremost, sat at one end of the table. The rest of the guests were seated outwards from there, positioned by rank. Other members of the nobility – the bluebloods- were seated closest, flanking the crown ruler on both sides of the table. Further down would be the crown’s choice of workers – the guild masters or other public servants who attended to the needs of the royal family.
Sennu did his best to watch without watching, and listen without listening. He remained alert, keeping an eye on his appointed section of the table – that pertaining to the bluebloods seated immediately to the king’s left – without drawing any attention to himself. Such was the mark of a good servant, after all. He was to be a ghost, moving amongst them to refill glasses or remove plates, without disrupting the flow of conversation. Sennu was there to do a job, and the nobility were to completely forget his presence at all times they were not actively calling upon him. It wouldn’t do to have the bluebloods holding their tongue, weary about what they might say, due to the presence of a few lingering servers.
As the meeting dragged on, those he was attending called upon him several times. One of the men raised a hand casually, and Sennu immediately stepped forward, offering him the platter of treats. The noble selected one without so much as glancing at Sennu, and did not deign to dismiss him formally. The man withdrew without receiving so much as a word of thanks, and did not object to that fact in the slightest. Whenever a guest drained his glass, Sennu would be there, appearing at his side almost silently. The servant would be forced to lean about the nobles and pour at awkward angles, to avoid jostling the king’s guests, and did so without spilling a single drop.
Flurries of motion caught out of the corner of his eye told him that his companions were doing the same, but again, Sennu paid them no mind. So long as none of them made a mistake, there was no reason to interfere, and they would all work away from today’s task without incident. There seemed to be a good bit of shouting, and anger coloured the voices of those who were contributing most fervently to the discussion, but that was none of Sennu’s concern.
Just another day at work for the castle’s personal staff.
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