Shadow Empress (GirlxGirl) (COMPLETED)

Chapter 6 | Banquet

"It's been a while since we went to Galatea Palace. I wonder what kind of delicacies are waiting for us. Noble consort Grace has always been the best cook. Even the imperial cook couldn't match up to her skills." The emperor praised the noble consort. Sophia, his empress nodded her head, agrees with her husband's opinion.

"It's been a while indeed. I hope Grace made her famous butter bread. I asked for the recipe a couple of times, but she insisted on keeping it a secret. That noble consort does have a lot of secrets. She does fit being the informant for Elpis. She has a lot of people being her eyes and ears." The emperor cleared his throat.

"My empress, it's best if you keep that thought to yourself. I don't want the second princess to hear that from you." Sophia gasped as she covered her mouth.

"Your highnesses, welcome to Galatea Palace." The servants opened the door for their guests.

"What a warm welcome." Sophia smiled as she entered the palace with her husband. Followed closely behind them were the second prince and his wife. The second princess was astonished by the beautiful decor inside the castle.

"Why didn't those stuck up concubines greet the guests themselves?" The second princess asked out loud. The second prince was too tired to say anything.

"What a waste! All these beautiful ornaments and decor wasted just to please those low ranking concubines. How shameful! Is this how your sister spends the people's money?!" The emperor glared at his brother after hearing his sister in law's words.

"The empress shall join you shortly." The servants announced before leaving the guests at the lounging area. Empress dowager took a seat not far from the portrait of the late first empress. She scoffed when she saw the woman she despised the most.

"Mother in law. Just look at how extravagant these decorations are. I suspect she swindles the money for herself." The second princess whispered to the empress dowager.

"My dear, mind your words, please. Not now. Just wait until the host comes then you start talking." The second princess nodded.

"I'm sorry for the wait. The empress was taking such a long time to prepare herself. There was an important meeting with her military advisor before this event. We didn't think that it would take so much time." Consort Elena greeted their guests while wearing such an extravagant dress and accessories.

The second princess eyes widen when she saw a lowly concubine wore such atrocity.

"Who gave you such rare looking accessories? I never saw that kind of jewellery before." She asked the concubine.

"Empress Elpis bought us a lot of gifts. This jewellery is nothing. Your highness hasn't seen the jewels she bought for the imperial consort yet." Consort Elena chuckled before she leads the guests to the dining hall.

Upon arriving at the dining hall, every concubine was already seated on the dining table, waiting for their guests to join them.

"What is the meaning of this?! The members of the royal family are coming in, and you all didn't even bet an eye! What kind of master do you have?!" The second princess shakes her head.

"The kind who slaughter every enemy on the battlefield. Welcome to my humble home. You must be my second sister in law. Second brother, you have such a peculiar taste in woman." The second prince awkwardly smiles at Elpis when she walked in.

"Lady Delphine! It's good to see you well. Congratulation for giving birth to your son." Sophia tried to kill the awkwardness by congratulating Lady Delphine. The lady bows her head to the empress.

"Thank you for the kind wish. I appreciate the gift you bestowed to us. It was lovely. I'm sure my son would love to play with it when he's old enough." The second princess once again astonished.