Taking Zelda's seat was actually the very last thing in the world Alfred had any desire to do. He didn't know what she was going to step out and talk to her father about, but even if she was only gone three seconds, that would be far too long, in his estimation, for him to be left alone at a table surrounded by her siblings.

He opened his mouth to protest, though he hadn't actually gotten as far as deciding what he would say — maybe it wasn't too late to excuse himself and promise to return some other night after all — but he was too late. Her father had nodded curtly and was rising from the table, and in another moment the two of them had gone through the door, leaving him alone with the rest of the family.

Alfred turned to look at the table awkwardly, wondering if anyone actually expected him to sit down.