Athena bit her fingernails as she saw Nectar drag off Reli with a smile [ She must feel so good about herself ]. She had spies everywhere, even in Nectar's palace but the woman didn't do anything punishable ever.
She knew the hairpin was Reli's and almost everyone in the empire knew Reli was close to her mother before she died and loved the hairpin...but Nectar wasn't from the empire.
She could still remember Nectar's word " I don't take well to people trying to trick me she says ". She couldn't shake off the feeling that it was directed at her. [ I need another plan and fast ]
Nectar was supposed to believe Lily and hand it over to her but it would have been better if it was destroyed. She needed to destroy Nectar's support system before she even realized she had one.
Unlike a few of Eros' young advisors who were against this marriage, the old ones along with Arthur fully supported it. Reli was the apple of the military, not just the heart.
She was the only daughter and a striking resemblance of Commander Sopins wife. The man was a sort of wild card and was loyal to the throne, the empress. Destroying that hairpin would break Reli and shatter any sort of alliance with Sopins .
Athena sighed as she saw the torn napkin in her hands. Nectar and Reli were long gone as well. Lily passed by talking to another concubine " I can't wait to impress his majesty. The empress will keep her word right "?
Athena couldn't hear the rest of the conversation since her pretty head was concocting [ I can't wait to help sister plan her banquet ].
~~~
Nectar was glad Reli and the kids were getting along well. In her past life, she'd unwittingly insulted Reli's mother and severed the relationship with the commander.
It was after the incident that she found out he was one of her supporters but she truly felt bad about what happened but no amount of gifts could fix her blundering mistake.
She'd also seen the foul play since she'd also discovered that the hairpin belonged to Reli. It truly was beautiful and she could feel a protective energy around it when she held it earlier.
She wasn't foolish enough to easily trust Reli or her family but she needed their help if she was going to kill Eros. She hadn't worked out the kinks but she had a goal.
She knew their strength and their weakness, Reli. As long as they didn't betray her she could let them live but then again she'd just have to make them disappear.
She discarded the thought as she examined rolls of fabric. She wanted a winter collection for herself, Liam and the kids.
Liam was tasked with carrying it all as Nectar moved to the next stall. Reli was no longer shy and was now showing Nectar jewelry she thought was pretty.
That was when Nichole walked up to Nectar " What exactly are we doing out here Sister "? Nectar glanced at her as she examined a piece of jewelry " Since the emperor has agreed to let you stay, then we can finally decorate your rooms ".
Nichole nodded and skipped over to Reli who had a big stuffed animal with her. They spent the rest of the day shopping with Liam having to send everything to the palace again.
It felt nice to spend someone else's money. She hated Eros, she wanted him to suffer a hundred fold for what he'd done to her but she had no grudge against money, especially a pouch full of gold.
Ica had tired herself out as she fell asleep on Nectar's shoulder, Reli wanted to offer some help but she didn't know how, she only knew how to carry weapons, not people.
They went back into the carriage and the ride back was fairly quiet but Reli loved it, it reminded her of her brothers [ I wonder how they're doing ].
~ ~ ~
Just like last time, Nectar happily twirled out of the carriage excited about her shopping spree. Liam was already getting all the cargo sent over while the kids played with Reli.
" We should ask Sister Qidu if you can stay with us ", said Nathaniel who was walking beside her . Marco rolled his eyes " Leave the pretty sister alone. We shouldn't bother Sister Qidu ".
Reli furrowed her brows " Why do you call the empress that, Is it a form of endearment "? June who was holding Reli, put a finger to her lip " What does endearment mean "?
Nichole spoke softly, not wanting to wake up Jewlica " Like a nickname JJ ". June nodded, understanding and Nichole went on " I'm not sure, Sister just likes to be called that ".
Reli nodded and again they went to the palace. Reli knew she'd been here earlier, but she was in awe. The roads that led to palace itself was a beautiful blue and white marble.
Upon closer look, she remembered the palace was a glowing beautiful gold at one point but now the three storey castle was a cool white with different shades of blue decorating the building.
Then there was a beautiful sign written in a style she'd never seen before, it was bold and leaned to the side, written in white on top of the black gates BLIZZARDS PALACE. That was just the main gate but the other paths also led to gates scattered at the entrance to the palace.
When she entered the courtyard, she was surprised by the amount of things Nectar had bought, it almost didn't look like the courtyard she'd entered earlier " Are these for your party my empress "?
Nectar glanced at Reli as she opened a crate " What party "? Reli furrowed her brows slightly " The ball you spoke of earlier during morning court ".
Nectar groaned as she closed the crate " I totally forgot about that ". Then she smiled as she held Reli's hands " We'll go shopping another time then ".