“What? It’s true! The Rain Tribe is one of the very few tribes who descend from a Mermaid and inherited her voice. People in the Dragon Empire can’t imitate that.”
“That’s only what the legend says,” chuckled her sister.
While Cassandra and Missandra kept bickering, Kareen was still utterly amazed. While the Imperial Family had inherited the gift of Dragon Taming, she had never suspected other people could have characteristics to rival it. Underneath her meek appearance, Cassandra had kept quite a precious gift hidden. Today’s demonstration was a real shock.
“Well, well!” exclaimed the Emperor. “Phetra, after that, I don’t think you could claim you’re unimpressed any longer! My White Lily, what a gift you have! You need to come and sing for this old man sometime, I would be delighted to hear that beautiful song again!”
No one around said a thing, but they were clearly shocked. Why did the Emperor make it seem so normal? That woman had just sung something so strange and shook up the whole lake! No one could look at Cassandra with the same presumption as before. That song was heavenly! And whether people had felt fear or bliss while listening, they all shared the same strange feeling of wanting to hear the song again.
The Emperor ordered for more entertainers to come, but after Cassandra’s song, everything following her felt quite bland in comparison.
However, there was an unexpected effect from Cassandra’s performance. While Shareen went on to chat with the ministers present and Kareen slipped away to converse with another Imperial Concubine, a group of young concubines quickly appeared to greet and compliment Cassandra.
“Lady Cassandra! Your song was marvelous!”
“I didn’t realize you had such talent!”
“Your dress is so beautiful, it suits your skin tone perfectly!”
“Is that the Emperor’s gift? How lucky!”
While she was taken aback by the sudden wave of praises, Cassandra answered politely, but nothing more. She hadn’t forgotten the cold treatment she had received previously from those very women. Cassandra couldn’t trust any of them, regardless of their words and smiles. She was actually grateful to Kairen, as the War God’s presence next to her discouraged those women from standing too close to her. They didn’t dare get within a five foot radius of him. Cassandra was sure they all would have been overwhelming her otherwise.
They didn’t even mind her clipped answers much. Most of their chatter was amongst each other, about how beautiful and smart she was, or how surprising it was that she could sing so well, as if Cassandra needed to hear them repeat it a hundred times in order for her to believe their words.
“What a bunch of annoying leeches,” sighed Missandra behind her.
“What did that servant say!” yelled one of the concubines who had heard her.
“Nothing that wasn’t true,” replied Cassandra, standing up. “If you are done, I’d like to eat in peace, ladies.”
In other circumstances, the concubines wouldn’t have let that remark go. They would have complained to their Princes, maybe got the servant killed and perhaps even Cassandra punished. However, it had been made very clear that the War God’s favorite was not someone they could even consider punishing. Hence, they had no choice but to bite their tongues and swallow their pride.
“Where are you going?” asked Kairen.
“Just going to take a stroll. I’ll get sleepy if I just stay here, laze around and eat.”
“I’ll come with you.”
Cassandra shook her head, glancing pointedly at the group of men decked out in uniforms. She knew they had been waiting patiently to the side for an opportunity to approach.
“Aren’t you going to talk to the ministers at all? It’s alright, I’ll take Mie and Dahlia with me.”
The War God pouted. It was the expression he always made when Cassandra was making a reasonable suggestion he wasn’t very fond of. He reluctantly nodded, glaring the poor ministers’ way.
“Fine. But be careful, and stay where I can see you.”
“I’m not leaving the area,” she promised, giving him a quick peck on the lips.
The area was indeed crowded with people gathering in little groups to chat. Cassandra soon noticed most of the groups consisted of concubines gathered around their man, or men talking amongst themselves.
Much to Cassandra’s surprise, many of them paused their conversations to greet her. Whether it was her relationship with Kairen, the Emperor’s speech earlier, or her song, something had changed in the way people looked at her. The women started actively trying to befriend her, while the men were a bit… extra. She didn’t care for either performance and did her best to avoid the groups. All the young concubine wanted was to take a quiet stroll, but she hadn’t thought it would be so complicated.
Missandra played the part of her servant, carrying a small tray of food, and providing excuses to avoid people who were acting too obnoxious. Compared to Missandra, Dahlia was being much quieter and somewhat awkward. Cassandra had realized that the young woman had become a lot more shy since Missandra had appeared, but couldn’t figure out why.
As she was talking with both of them, a duo she hadn’t expected to encounter walked up to her, followed by a crowd of concubines - The Fifth and Sixth Prince.
“Lady Cassandra! That song was terrific!” exclaimed Anour, polite and smiling as usual. “I had no idea you could sing so well!”
