The heavy atmosphere in the throne room deepened. Servants, guards, and courtiers all focused on the witnesses standing before the king.
The Head Concubine, dressed in layers of silk and jewels, stepped forward first. She bowed low, her lips curved in an innocent smile that looked rehearsed.
"Your Majesty," she greeted softly, her voice filled with respect and sweetness.
The king inclined his head slightly, acknowledging her greeting. Something he hadn't done for Rin.
Rin caught it immediately and rolled his eyes under his veil.
'Of course. She gets the royal treatment. I don't. Obvious discrimination. That's not a surprise since I'm new here, and she's been here since the beginning.'
He remembered the rumours he had heard since he got here... words he had overheard from everyone's lips while walking through the harem.
'She's favoured... she'll probably be the next queen once Caspian becomes king.'
Rin's lips curled faintly.
