Scroll Of Wrath [BETA] COMPLETE

|Chapter 12.3| The Imperial Concubine's banquet [3]

The banquet hall was full to the brim with the young ladies of noble families. All in their reds, yellows and greens. Their dresses were cute and warming to see as they laughed and talked freely within the imperial palace. 

As an imperial concubine it was inappropriate for her to entertain male guests without the prince. So this was a strictly no male zone baring attendants. 

Verena watched the groups of women silently, they had already formed cliques based on the relationships their fathers had, those under the princess's banner were already talking happily together.

Low, lacquered tables arranged in neat rows filled the centre of the hall, each one set with fine porcelain dishes and delicate jade chopsticks. The aroma of exotic spices and rich dishes wafted through the air, tantalizing the senses. Platters of roast duck, whole fish steamed with ginger and scallions, and intricate vegetable carvings formed centrepieces that were both culinary and artistic delights.

Musicians in one corner played traditional instruments. The music was gentle and soothing, but the softer the music seemed the more anxious Verena felt. Her father's words had put her too on edge. She brought her small round fan to her face, the Vortigern were a prideful family, and rarely mingled with the other nobles, many put it down to the naturally cold disposition of a General. In the war against humans he had been the one to personally kill the Ruthless Queen of Strength alongside the dragon king. The woman who was said to drink the blood of innocents and tear apart a dragon with her bare hands. 

Servants moved silently and efficiently, refilling cups with fragrant tea and fine nectar, ensuring that every guest wanted for nothing. The clink of porcelain and the murmur of polite conversation created a symphony of courtly manners and etiquette.

Verena was led to one of the small tables close to the end of the room, the only table higher than her was that of the princess Drucilla who had yet to show up. In terms of hierarchy, Drucilla would traditionally be the last to show up as everyone was required to stand in greeting, including the imperial concubine. And yet, when princess Drucilla arrived the imperial concubine was yet to be seen.

Drucilla walked in to everyone standing and bowing silently, she glanced at the various delicately made heads of hair and gold hairpins and her eyes narrowed in displeasure. 

"It seems I am still early, the imperial concubine has yet to arrive." Her voice was icy and the young women were too afraid to get up from their positions, and Drucilla did not care to release them. Instead she walked to the table at the end of the room and sat down. The ladies remained bowing but Drucilla did not speak, instead she drank her cup of tea and waited. 

When Hadassah received the news of Drucilla's actions she merely laughed, was that her way of showing her displeasure. She did not care to rush, since she was wearing a veil she didn't need to spend hours on make-up but a large intricate crown was on her curly brown hair, looking like she was wearing a fae's wings. She looked at herself in the mirror and stood up to leave, if a trap was being set for her it was discourteous not to walk into it.

The imperial concubine's arrival was marked by the soft chime of bells, her entourage preceding her with lanterns and silk fans. She glided into the room, her every movement a dance of grace. The delicate veil that covered her face did little to hide her beauty; rather, it added an air of mystery that drew the eyes of every noble present.

"Sister it seems you arrived before me, I didn't expect you today." Hadassah said in a chirpy voice as if she did not see the ladies bowing. Drucilla merely drank her cup, she did not bother to get angry, either way tonight would be her last night alive. 

"I naturally wouldn't miss your first banquet, it's quite beautiful, I would have mistaken it for a true royal banquet if I wasn't observant."

Hadassah did not bother bowing this time, instead she sat a bit lower than the princess, "we should release the young girls, after all they are delicate and have been raised carefully by their parents." She spoke as if mocking them. Verena felt confused, were the princess and imperial concubine on good terms or not?