The sun had slowly made its way down a few hours before, and the smells of dinner could be sniffed near every palace. Most the Queens and Concubines dined with their children or together, but The Empress sat with her maid at the table in her gardens, alone. Tears lay at her side eating the third rabbit she had killed. The first two was being carefully roasted over the fire under Eve's careful eye. She slowly spun the spit so that the rabbit cooked evenly with its warm spicy aroma.
"Thankfully Tears is willing to help us hunt. I can't believe the cooks are sending you left overs when there would clearly have been enough for us without it having to sit for hours before we ate." Addie complained in annoyance. She sliced up the vegetables that she had gathered from the gardens nearby. Thankfully she had some idea of what was edible and what was poisonous and the things she wasn't sure of she left well enough alone.
"It is part of the laws regarding the Cold Palace. We will be just fine." Empress Evelyn replied calmly slowly rotating it again. She didn't seem to mind it much, her dress being simpler alone was proof that she was becoming use to these more meager supplies. In all honesty, she had been more upset about this whole thing than Evelyn had ever been. She was quite something, truly worthy of being Empress.
"Alright, My paperwork is done. I will need you to deliver it to his Majesty the Emperor in the morning. He will finalize it and continue as planned." Empress Evelyn replied coolly. Her voice was respectful and business like even now. There was no anger only numbness as she thought of the man she once cherished.
Deep in her heart of hearts she still loved him, but love is not always blind. True love sees the faults and forgives them, but can true love over ride a mother's need to protect? For the Empress this didn't seem to be the case.
"As you wish, granted it's just us here I don't see why you speak so formally of that honorless, blind man." Addie replied as she added the vegetables to the pot to heat and soften. The Empress cast her a glance.
"We show respect because he is our Emperor no matter how you and I may be treated. His position is father of the people, to disrespect him is to disrespect those we are sworn to protect. I am mother of my daughter and my son, but also my people. To disrespect their father is to teach the child to rebel." The Empress chided with a soft sigh. Addie still had so much to learn.
"He does not treat you as Empress." Addie replied, but her voice became softer as she realized the cruelty of her words. The painful dagger sticking Eve's heart seemed to twist with her words.
"That is no reason to be angry with him, but with myself. I expected justice and love when he expressed neither to me. We shall behave as ladies and as Empress and companion." Empress Evelyn replied though her face seemed to show its age for a moment, her heart heavy with the truth.
"Oh, I forgot to mention your son was seen having a rather interesting lunch by the river with Mally and her Sister." Addie offered a subject change that caught Eve's attention.
"Oh? Alone?" she asked, taking the bait offered. There must be more to it if Addie thought to bring it up.
"No, Princess Raina was there as well. The princess seems to be taken with this white haired healer. Prince Clovis even spent the afternoon with the three ladies." Addie added with a conspiratorial grin. The Empress smiled, a flame of hope in her heart.
"I am delighted to hear that. He must start looking for women to stand beside him." The Empress replied nodding as she removed the rabbit from the spit. The warm meat rested on the platter while the pair considered quietly. "What do you know about the girl?" Addie racked her brain.
"She's white haired, but young. Possibly of fae decent. She's an orphan but her backing is strong. Raina calls her Warrioress, and the Emperor and Empress Dowager like her. She's a very strong healer and trap finder." Addie replied rattling off the bits of information she had caught throughout the last few days. The Empress raised an eyebrow.
"The Emperor AND Empress Dowager met with her? Strong backing indeed." Empress Eve commented. Her voice was quite impressed and Addie nodded.