A Taste of the Palace

Noah's head hung low, his face nearly pressed against the plate in front of him.

He had no idea why everyone kept staring at him—was he that weird?

To the others, he seemed like a shy little bunny who had wandered into a wolf's den—timid yet pure.

He was polite, good-looking, albeit a bit on the thin side.

Gideon, with a smile, piled more food onto his plate, saying, "Eat up, Noah."

Noah mumbled a