“Is that all you came for? Well, I’m not going to just hand it over that easily. You’ll all stay and have lunch with me for once. The one time you come to see your mother. ”
She clapped her hands and a bunch of servants came in bowing.
“Actually, let’s have lunch now. In the Courtyard.”
Immediately, most of the servants rushed out to prepare their meal, only a few of them remained by the Imperial Concubine’s side. She let out a dramatic sigh and turned to her children again.
“You two better behave. I am too old to scold you.”
Cassandra couldn’t help but wonder how old she actually was. She didn’t look much older than her children! As Shareen and Kairen were probably in their mid-twenties, their mother could be about forty. Her make-up was lighter than what Cassandra had witnessed on other women of that age, too. She was a natural and overwhelming beauty.
“Come, let’s go outside where it’s warm. You must be cold all the time, living in that dark place.”
Cassandra realized she was talking about the Onyx Castle. She followed after the Imperial Concubine, who was nonchalantly walking through the corridors to a large open area. As they walked, Cassandra noticed Kareen wasn’t wearing shoes under her long pink dress, but her bare feet didn’t seem to mind the uneven floor where the stone was sometimes crossed with patches of wild grass.
“Here, have a seat.”
The Imperial Concubine’s outdoor garden was a beautiful space. It had walls and pillars around it, but no roof. A few branches covered just enough of the sky to provide some shade and relief from the direct sun. It was like something out of a fairytale. The floor was only flowers and grass, and every surrounding inch had some green on it.
It seemed like the place had been abandoned for centuries to the wild, as the stones had weathered and ivy had taken over. Cassandra instantly loved it. Though she was feeling a bit shy and stuck close to Kairen, she couldn’t help but glance at every little wild flower there.
“Sit here, child. What is your name?”
Concubine Kareen gestured to the seat right next to her, startling Cassandra a bit. As she took the seat, Kairen sat across from her to his mother’s left. It was a round stone table of a decent size, not too big, but just cozy enough.
“Cassandra, Imperial Concubine,” she answered.
“Cassandra. You’ll call me Concubine Mother from now on.”
“Yes, Concubine Mother.”
Around them, the servants enthusiastically brought as much food as the table could hold. There was the usual cheese, meat, and fresh fruits, along with some dried fruits, vegetables, brown rice, and cakes. Just as Shareen was about to take some, a glare from her mother had her pull her hand back.
“Let’s drink first.”
Without delay, a glass of wine was placed into Cassandra’s hands.
“Mother, do not force her to drink,” said Kairen with a frown.
“It’s fine. I had a cup once in a while when I was pregnant with you. This one isn’t strong anyway, it’s mostly juice. She can have some tea next.”
Cassandra brought the smallest bit of wine to her lips and indeed, she did not taste the alcohol at all, only the sweet grape.
“Where are you from?” Concubine Kareen asked, as she took a sip of her own drink.
“From the Rain Tribe in the south. I was born there and was…brought to the Capital when I was a child, Concubine Mother.”
“A Southern Tribe? How interesting. Your people were known for wonders in medicine and agriculture. How shameful that such bright people disappeared over those barbaric wars. Had you achieved any proficiency before that?”
“I did. I use my medical knowledge at the Military Camp, Concubine Mother.”
Immediately, Imperial Concubine Kareen glared at her son.
“You took your concubine to the camp? Among so many men? I thought you knew better, Kairen!”
“She is my concubine. None of my men would dare to…”
“Of course not! But a military camp is still no place for a concubine! How selfish of you. You may be strong, but you underestimate others. Don’t you know how easy it is to die? You are being naive, my son. Your concubine doesn’t have the Dragon’s blood!”
