Queen's Shadow || Kingdom at the End of the World - Book II

[19] Due Rewards

Queen Rae was not given to hosting lavish gatherings. She did not care for the company of other nobles, and had no desire to waste her time on empty courtesies and barbed conversations. Meetings with the Queen were coordinated by Advisor Xiang, an austere figure with a severe dislike for nonsense and frivolity. The castle's grand ballroom was summarily neglected in favor of more pragmatic spaces for many years, depriving demons of rank of a suitable stage to display their wealth and power.

The news of a grand celebration in the Queen's halls were therefore met with much excitement. Invitations were not scarce; every family of worth received a royal missive, and set to preparing appropriate attire and gifts with great haste. Within this larger pool of attendees, there were a handful who were awarded a greater honor: The opportunity to dine with the Queen, for all to see and envy.

These special invitations were awarded discreetly, during the ball itself. Shadow-guards flickered between finely-dressed figures. It was not clear who they approached until the time for the meal arrived and the glittering room came to order. The voice of the songstress, a beauty draped in silver robes and pearls, still curled in the air. It was a melancholy tune, but so sweetly sung that it was a joy to hear nonetheless.

Seats were not assigned in the grand hall, where most of the congregation was to be served. The demons in attendance nonetheless grouped naturally, following invisible rules of rank and partiality. Those with ambition and a smooth tongue talked their way into more powerful company. Most were content to discuss their betters with peers of the same rank, and so the seating arrangement was decided quickly and peacefully. Only one man appeared at odds with his lot.

Dominus Todd was a tall, severe demon of strong build and fiery temperament. As the eldest living member of an ancient lineage, he wielded great political power – power he did not hesitate to leverage against his nephew and ill-begotten master of the House of Todd whenever an opportunity arose. If it were not for the Queen's favor, Gabriel Todd would have long been relegated to some empty title in a remote territory far away from Hel's capital.

As it were, Dominus was feeling rather neglected himself.

"The Duke of Hollowground certainly looks pleased," a voice whispered in Dominus' ear.

Dominus slanted a narrow-eyed look at the High Table. The demons there were all known to him, and while some were more deserving than others, none compared to him in pedigree. The Duke of Hollowground was especially out of place. Into power but for a handful of generations, and already fat off the labor of others. Dominus did not bother to conceal his sneer.

"The useless coward is right at home with the lot of them. What poor taste," he said.

The demoness sitting beside him laughed charmingly. Dominus could not recall her name, nor did he wish to do so – she was but one among many lesser demons striving for his attention. Her identity was not low, and her charm was significant enough to earn her a seat at Dominus' side. Nonetheless, she held no interest beyond her willingness to serve as a mirror to Dominus' moods and thus please him with her words.

The same could not be spoken for the woman sitting at Dominus' right.

"Husband should take another look," Sha Nue said coldly.

Sha Nue was also known as Lady Todd, a position she had assumed in the same manner merchants of the kingdoms Above brokered new business ventures. The two of them were well-matched, and so they came together for the glory of their families. Dominus held no love for his wife. He did however value her council, knowing that her goals aligned with his own. When he looked toward the High Table again he did so carefully, taking note of all present. A startled chuckle left his lips.