"My lady, breakfast is ready. Everyone has been summoned to the dining hall."
Tamina's handmaid, Celin, announced with a respectful curtsy.
Several other maids attended to Tamina as she prepared for the day. Two of them gently massaged her supple skin with rare oils, while another carefully bathed her with expensive cologne.
Her straight red hair was brushed until it fell smoothly across her shoulders, a few strands resting delicately across her face. Her dark, siren-like eyes only heightened the striking beauty she possessed. Even so, none in the palace had ever surpassed the late Queen of Beauty, Katie.
After considering several gowns, Tamina finally chose a red dress with a deep V-neckline. Fine lace adorned the fabric, and the color perfectly complemented her fiery hair, giving her an undeniable air of confidence.
The gown clung elegantly to her upper body before flaring gracefully from her waist down to her feet.
The maids could not help but admire her appearance.
Her brows were thick yet perfectly shaped, and her long lashes framed her eyes flawlessly.
Tamina was not called the Queen of Seduction without reason. Whenever she walked through the palace corridors, men often found themselves silently thanking the heavens for creating such a masterpiece in the form of a woman.
Satisfied with her appearance, Tamina left her chambers and began making her way toward the dining hall.
Just before reaching it, she encountered the other queens in the vast corridor that led to the grand dining room.
Jazell was as radiant as ever in her short, shoulder-length blonde hair framing her small, delicate face. The diamond earrings she wore sparkled brilliantly under the palace lights. Her blue fishtail gown accentuated her curves, the neckline revealing a bold display of cleavage.
From the opposite hallway appeared Jia, a woman of quiet elegance. Her straight black hair fell down her back, and her almond-shaped eyes carried a distant, unreadable expression. Her full chest and small lips gave her a striking appearance, yet her reserved nature cloaked her in an aura of mystery.
Racheal was already seated at the dining table when they arrived. Her curly brown hair was gathered neatly into a bun, with a few loose strands framing her face.
The women briefly acknowledged each other with cold, calculating glances before proceeding toward the dining hall. Their gowns trailed gracefully behind them, each queen looking regal and breathtaking in her own way.
Their handmaids followed silently, eyes fixed firmly on the ground.
At that moment, none dared whisper a word.
Normally, gossip flowed as freely as wine among the palace maids. The royal kitchen, large enough to accommodate hundreds, served as their gathering place. News traveled quickly there, and whatever they heard inevitably reached the ears of their mistresses.
They listened through walls and watched from shadows, always searching for the next piece of scandal.
Last night, Ragaleon had given Racheal a bracelet, and now it was all over the place.
As if to rub it in the faces of her mates, she even wore the bracelet to the table.
Though she, Racheal, sat elegantly at the table, the silent daggers being thrown at her from every direction were almost unbearable.
The queens took their positions beside their designated seats just as Ragaleon entered the hall.
Everyone rose respectfully, then curtsied before sitting again once Ragaleon had taken his place.
Breakfast was immediately served; all the maids performed their chore meticulously, making sure the king was the first to be served and his wine cup filled to the brim.
Johanna wore a faintly taunting frown as she idly pushed her food around with her fork.
She had been like that since the beginning of the meal, and unknown to her, Selena had been watching closely.
"If you are not hungry, do not waste the food," Selena said calmly as she observed Johanna's behavior. "It could be given to widows and orphans."
Johanna shot her a glare before reluctantly taking a bite of her steak.
"How was your night, Racheal?"
Jazell spoke casually, though the conceit in her tone was impossible to miss. Her eyes lingered on the bracelet Ragaleon had gifted Racheal.
Jealousy burned beneath her composure.
Ragaleon cast Jazell a brief look of disapproval, and she quickly returned her attention to her meal.
Though everyone in the palace had heard about the bracelet, none knew the reason behind the gift.
Tamina suppressed a snarl and continued eating. Her appetite had already vanished, but she forced herself to take several bites so that her displeasure would not be obvious.
"Tamina," Ragaleon said once he had finished his meal, "see me in my chambers after lunch."
He rose to leave but paused briefly.
"Mother would do well to remind the household of the golden rules. I will not overlook any violations next time."
His hands were clasped behind his back as he spoke.
Tamina initially thought she had imagined his earlier words, but when Ragaleon's gaze met hers, realization dawned. He indeed had just invited her to his chamber.
She didn't show it immediately, but she was greatly pleased by this.
Across the table, Jazell's gaze had already shifted towards her direction, but she said nothing, made no comments, and there was no change in the countenance of her face.
Jia appeared indifferent, while Racheal merely glanced up briefly before returning to her meal.
But beneath the table, Jazell's leg tapped restlessly on the floor. She had composure, a lot of it, but her patience was growing thin.
Thinned from the ignorance of the king.
First it was Racheal… now Tamina. She was greatly displeased.
She immediately lowered her face toward her plate to have a few bites of her meal.
In less than a few seconds, she stood up after wiping her mouth.
"Jazell, you haven't finished your food," Tamina said sweetly, though her tone carried unmistakable mockery.
Jazell glared at her before storming away, her blue gown trailing behind her.
"Looks like someone is having a bad day," Leah hummed lightly.
Almost immediately she froze.
Johanna had stepped hard on her foot beneath the table.
Pain shot through Leah's leg. She nearly screamed, but she quickly clamped a hand over her mouth, allowing only a small shriek to escape.
Her foot throbbed violently from the impact of Johanna's heel.
Leah looked toward her mother with wounded eyes before biting her lip.
"What is wrong with everyone today?" Selena muttered quietly while finishing her meal.
Ever since her husband's death, the household had changed.
When Harris was alive, no one would have dared leave the table while he was still eating. Such disrespect would have been punishable by death.
The memory tightened her chest.
Her eyes softened, they became moist with unshed tears.
Setting down her spoon, Selena dabbed her mouth with a fine napkin and excused herself from the table.
"I heard Prince Vinson is arriving in Decreash today. Is that true?"
William spoke suddenly.
It was the first time he had said anything during the meal. With Ragaleon gone, the heavy silence had finally been broken.
"Oh yes," Johanna replied. "I heard the same. He is quite the noble man. One rarely encounters someone of his caliber."
Leah's face flushed deeply the moment she heard Vinson's name.
In her mind, she was already imagining a life beside him.
Now that she would finally see him again, excitement filled her heart.
At the far end of the table sat Helena, Serena's only daughter.
She listened quietly while eating with graceful composure.
"Vinson is coming?" she wondered with a sly smile.
It had been some time since his last visit.
In truth, the only reason he came so often was because of her.
This time he had planned to surprise her, but the palace always had ears everywhere. The surprise had clearly been ruined.
"Excuse me," Leah said hurriedly, wiping her mouth.
She quickly summoned her personal maid and rushed toward her chambers.
If Vinson were arriving soon, she would need to look her absolute best.
Helena watched her stepsister leave, suspicion flickering across her face.
William looked around in confusion.
Within moments, the dining hall had emptied.
Even his mother had left without him noticing.
Only Jia remained seated at the table.
"Is something happening that I'm unaware of?" he wondered aloud.
Meanwhile, Tamina was seated on the terrace of her chambers, gently rocking on a cushioned swing while sipping a cup of wine, when a maid stepped in.
"Queen Tamina, your parents have arrived to see you," Celin announced.
Tamina was astounded by this revelation.
"Good heavens, they must have journeyed so far."
She quickly set the cup of wine aside and rose to her feet.
Moments later, she entered the castle guest parlor, where distinguished visitors were received.
There was no mistake.
Seated regally upon an expensive armchair were her parents.
The King and Queen of Nehoviah.
"Mother… Father?"
Tamina glided towards them; the sound of her shoe clicking echoed in the vast room.
"Tamina!" they exclaimed in unison as they stood.
She embraced them warmly before they all took their seats.
Titran observed his daughter with satisfaction.
"I see the king is treating you well," he remarked approvingly.
Tamina smiled, a way of hiding the scorn in her heart.
Amber, however, silently studied her daughter.
Amber had always been a woman of great caliber and political matters. She had a good eye for things and expected that her daughter should do the same.
Tamina had gained weight in all the right places, becoming even more alluring than before.
Yet Amber's gaze eventually settled on Tamina's stomach.
It was flat.
Her brows furrowed slightly.
However, was the king able to resist her daughter for so long? He was yet to impregnate her.
While Father and Daughter chatted comfortably and sampled the refreshments laid before them, Amber remained lost in thought.
She needed Tamina to bear Ragaleon's heir.
Only then would their kingdom truly benefit.
Not wishing to discuss such matters before her husband, Amber remained silent and helped herself to the snacks.
Servants struggled to carry the extravagant gifts Tamina's parents had brought. Ten royal carriages filled with treasures had accompanied them.
Just then, Selena entered the parlor, escorted by guards.
"King Titran Ashram, Queen Amber Ashram of Nehoviah, welcome," Selena greeted them politely.
"Thank you, Selena," Titran replied quickly. "And please accept our apologies for not attending your husband's funeral. Matters of state kept us occupied."
Selena offered a polite smile.
Amber concealed her disdain.
She had always believed Selena carried herself with an air of superiority simply because she had once been the wife of a powerful king. In truth, it was little more than jealousy lingering in Amber's heart.
As queen mother and mistress of the palace, Selena fulfilled her duty by ensuring her guests were properly attended to.
Once satisfied with the arrangements, she quietly departed with her guards.
Amber sneered behind her back, unable to hide her irritation.
Moments later, a guard entered.
"My Lord, King Ragaleon has requested your presence."
Titran nodded and left the room.
The moment he was gone, Amber's attention turned towards her daughter.
Her voice dropped, sharp and direct.
"Why aren't you pregnant?"