Scroll Of Wrath [BETA] COMPLETE

|Chapter 15| Frivolous Men

The last day of the wedding feast came to an end with no interruptions, the celebration was the last until recapturing Atlas. The mating season began in spring and so winter was the prime time for war. 

By the end of the third week the nobles of Nephel had drank to their fill, there would only be two imperial weddings for a long time, unless a consort died. The next wedding would most likely be princess Drucilla after the conquest of Atlas - if she won her father's respect she would be the crowned princess. However, the general Vortigern had unexpectedly placed his bets on the good for nothing prince, some speculated he was attempting to enthrone a puppet prince, it put Drucilla's supporter's on high alert. Now the wedding was over, it would be a dog fight. 

Today was quite special for Verena, she made sure she was up at dawn and had spent the past hour getting herself ready. This day was important as it was the day the imperial concubine should pay her respects to the main wife. However, the imperial concubine had been missing the entire three weeks. Verena was practically bursting with giddiness, she wondered what kind of rage Zeus would feel knowing a woman he spoilt had vanished under his nos. Would he order her to be found and killed? Would he even want to see her again? She drew her own brows today, making sure she looked particularly pleasing, so when he looked at her he would forget all about her. 

She met Zeus who was already waiting for her at the receiving hall of his court. She was escorted by her attendants to kneel paying her respects to him, he smiled and got off from his seat to help her stand and lead her to sit by his side. The two waited now for the imperial concubine. But soon seconds turned to minutes and by the time an hour had passed Zeus was beginning to feel something was wrong. 

"Where is the imperial concubine?" he demanded, his voice sharp. He wondered if something had happened in his negligence, he could not lose her yet, the conquest of Atlas would soon be arriving, he needed her counsel. 

A servant stepped forward, about to announce her absence, when the door burst open, and Hadassah walked in.

Verena, who had been waiting patiently frowned upon seeing her. The confidence she had felt this morning instantly shattered. Hadassah took her time walking, the shoes of the imperial women were still tricky for her, she bowed in front of Zeus who merely wandered why she discarded her veil today. 

"Wishing the Prince the blessings of the heavens for a millennia! Wishing the Princess consort the blessings of the heavens for a millennia!" She greeted swiftly, and waited till she was allowed to rise. 

Zeus nodded and she finally stood up to meet his gaze. 

"My imperial concubine, what happened? How come you are late today?" Zeus asked curiously. 

"Answering your highness, my attendants this morning were missing so I had no means to get ready." She didn't bother beating around the bush, she wasn't vying for Zeus's attention, unbeknown to Verena she was his counsel, he would take her words seriously until proven otherwise. 

"What happened?" He asked his wife. Verena did not know how to respond, naturally she dismissed her attendants because she did not expect her to be there. She felt annoyed at this progression, now she seemed quite unreasonable. 

"Your Highness, the Imperial concubine... I was told she ran away so I did not expect her to come back." 

Zeus frowned. "That is quite a poor excuse. Nephel is tightly guarded and here she is, right in the flesh. How could you possibly mistaken her for a missing person?" Did she think he was stupid? Hadassah remained silent as she watched Verena's face twist in anger. She was the first daughter of the legitimate Vortigern branch, how could she stomach injustice that easily?