As the princess of Charlemagne, a nation renowned for its extravagant (and wasteful) culinary traditions, Minerva had been exposed to a wide variety of exquisite dishes since childhood. Yet during the harshest of times, she also sampled various military rations, including such "delicacies" as "barbed wire (dehydrated vegetables)," "dog-wouldn't-eat bread (potatoes mixed with small amounts of flour)," and "substitute coffee (roasted dandelion roots and scorched peas)." It could be said that she was a lady neither picky about food nor one to waste the efforts of hardworking chefs.
But now, faced with the lavish spread before her, she had absolutely no appetite.
Eating is a basic biological need—unless one is ill or harboring specific concerns, such as suspecting poisoning—and under normal circumstances, the vast majority of people wouldn't resist the act of dining.
