"Aurel, when did you return?" The prince shrugs, taking his time to sip his tea.
"Hours ago brother" the king was displeased with his answer.
"Then why are you here?"
"I came to check up on my dear sister when I simply got distracted by this beauty" the prince winks at Elara.
"That beauty is your king's consort." Elara rolls her eyes. Oh so now she's awknowledge since she has his brother's attention.
"Nevertheless, come and join us brother. Your consort made us a very delicious cake truffles right here" he points to the empty plate.
"Oops, I forgot we finished it" the king grounds his jaw before stepping in and standing behind Elara.
She could still feel his warmth steeping into her back but she stayed put without a single reaction or even awknowledgement.
"Leave us, I'd like to discuss important matters with my family" the king orders.
Prince Aurel smiles. "Then you can surely discuss it with the consort"
"I said family, not eavesdroppers"
Elara sighs before dropping her tea cup and standing up. She bows to him, still avoiding his eyes before leaving.
Once Elara reaches the palace interiors, it was filled with the concubines having tea and enjoying eachothers company.
The moment they took notice of Elara, the whole rooms vibe changed.
Lady Seraphine rolls her eyes looking at the consort with so much menace.
They just got back from a very nice day of spa, but this girl had to come and ruin the mood.
Elara refuses to cower from all the eyes on her, she simply just walks in and seats on the sofa far away from them.
Lady Seraphine scoffs, "how dare a tribute dog seat with us?"
Elara just turned a blind eye and ear to them, sipping her tea like a normal Thursday.
That engraved lady Seraphine more but she just ignores her and continue to chat with lady Hana and lady Mirella.
They didn't acknowledge her altogether but Elara still tried to get into the conversation.
"I'm sorry but we didn't include you. Who do you think you are to just talk however you want?"
Lady Seraphine glares at her when she couldn't take it anymore with the whole pretending.
"She's the royal consort whom you should be respecting" the king's voice reverberates the whole palace interiors.
They all stand up and bowed to their king, Elara was the last to get up and bow.
"Leave, I would like to have a word with your consort"
After they all filed out, the king averts his attention to her. Elara simply glared at him, paying him back what he did.
The king raised his brows not exactly surprised. He already saw that coming.
He hoped for it, was eager for it even, there's just something about him that draws him to her.
Elara refuses to be the one that breaks the ice, so she simply turns around to pick up her tea.
"You are to find me three powerful and beautiful women who will become my concubines"
Her brows draws together in confusion. Why is the king in need of more concubines when he already had three present.
"But why am I to do the finding. Why not the Queen?" She asks as she drops her tea on the table.
"Because as the royal consort, that is your duty" the king huffs out before turning to leave.
"You have three days to present me three concubines" and with that he storms out of the house.
How can a lowly tribute girl who everyone in the outer realm hates, present three concubines in the span of three days.
She stands up, getting ready to leave and find Lani so she can help her find powerful concubines that can help the kingdom.
But sadly lady Seraphine had other plans. "Where do you think you're going? We're not exactly finished"
Elara sighs before turning around, "Look, you can deal with me later but right now, I'm busy"
That made lady Seraphine even more mad. Who does she think she is to say that to her.
She raises her hand and slapped Elara square on the cheek, there was so much impact that Elara fell to the sofa.
"It seems to me you need a reminder of where you belong" lady Seraphine whispers it like a threat wrapped in silk.
[Ugh, I could just kill this woman,..but I just have to bid my time]
Elara's brows shoot up as she looks around the room. That was definitely lady Seraphine's voice in her head.
But lady Seraphine's lips weren't moving so what's wrong with Elara.
"What did you say?" Elara asks to clarify she's not going crazy.
Lady Seraphine scoffs looking away from Elara.
[This woman is clearly asking for death]
Elara was about to scream her head off, when Madame Tilda suddenly come in.
(What's with the rokus? I swear to god I've never had peace since when these people came into my life)
Did she…did she just read her thoughts?
Elara shakes her head in denial, how is that even possible, it's physically wrong and impossible.
This must be a dream, it HAS to be a dream.
Elara then pinches herself to realise she is indeed not dreaming and that it's real.
Elara begins to spiral, oblivious to the quarrel happening between lady Seraphine and the old Madame Tilda.
When the pressure became too much for Elara she loses consciousness, falling from the sofa to the floor.
While in the royal courtyard, the high priest Elion zaps awake from his sleep.
A vision was clouding his brown eyes, turning it black completely. After a while, the vision has ended and he was left with the aftermath of it.
He gazes at the window, in the direction of the house of petals, the place where Elara has opened up the gates to hell on earth.
"May the gods be with you Elara" he whispers to himself before getting dressed and heading out.
He already knows that once a vision has awaken him from his slumber, he cannot go back to what he was doing.
He needs to go and find out more about Elara's bloodline.