Old madam Kai,
There was no other choice.
If either of them failed with upholding this illusionary image and showed their true face… it would simply bring about unnecessary attention.
Time passed, drinks were ordered.
Old madam Kai waited a few minutes for everyone to settle a bit more, conversing with each other about both important and trivial matters before signalling for the entry course to be served.
A spoon and matching ivory chopsticks were placed first, while the entry dish was then placed.
Salt and pepper tofu with a sweet and sour dipping sauce for those who were vegan.
Two per plate, that is; Chicken sweet corn soup and finally Curry puffs.
Once the items were placed, old madam Kai signalled for head servant Quai to announce that they can begin eating. These dishes were selected especially with the guests in mind. They were people who were ranked high and were quite picky.
Some foods are accepted while others are not so much.
These, after checking hundreds were what old madam Kai deemed presentable.
While the servants who had placed the food turned to leave in an orderly line, the diners began to eat comfortably.
With the little bit of input from the young granddaughter, they had added an extra ingredient in a selected few of the food served.
Old madam Kai had thought to announce it but decided against it.
It would be a bother to announce it to everyone present.
Simply wait until the banquet had finished and then listen to whatever they had to say.
Once all the guests were finished, the dishes were cleared, and the tables were then cleaned.
A salad was then served one was a simple garden salad while the other was served with a small assortment of cheese and olives.
Placed, it was once again announced for them to eat.
Before upon their entry, while the guest of honour was busy dressing up, old madam, Kai had served a few finger foods and drinks to open the appetite.
"Grandmother, this salad is not a terrible choice." old madam Kai is aware that her grandson does not like it much, but he still eats only to give her face.
"It is true, the cheese was aged well, while the other is a bit spongy, complimenting the other." old madam Kai watched the two grandchildren converse while the other boy continued to quietly eat. "Old madam Kai, this 12-course meal will be lengthy?" old madam Kai looked at the beautiful young man and said lightly; "Perhaps. It is a banquet to accept my granddaughter into the Kai family after all."
"True, she does deserve the best." Old madam Kai heard her grandson announce. Her smile could not help but widen. Finishing the meal, she sat up straighter, leaning back in the chair, and spoke a few words.
"Fish will be served next little Ra. I have one of your favourites: the Blue blood fish. The sauce has been prepared using its blood to make a spicy but salty-sour sauce."
Old madam Kai finished lovingly. The small girl looked up to her and flashed an almost blinding smile.
Guest around happened to see this smile. Some children attending the banquet were told in advance that the old madam Kai seemed to have adopted a wild child.
They had come here to laugh at the foolish wife of the deceased old head Kai, but it seems that the world child she had adopted was not any wild child but one who has been taught well.
While the fish is being served, one female, in particular, continued to watch the main table not too far away. In her heart, she was not really reconciled with the way things have played out. The child being admired and praised could have been her own. She could have had the accessibility to the resources from the main Kai branch instead of the few they had at present. The plates were made from the highest quality, chopsticks from ivory and the ingredients are fresh. All these years she had thought the first branch was suffering since they were no longer seen, but it seems they had simply no reason to appear in public.
"The girl has honour now, all of this wealth will be shared with her."
"Shut up! Is it my fault our daughter has not been chosen? Was it not you who shunned the first branch of the Kai family seeking to please and pair our daughter with the secondary branch?"
Aleo Prissa frowned. Her husband is correct. How is she supposed to know that the main Kai branch still held value? The only daughter born in the fifth generation had died. The old master Kai had also died, leaving the younger brother who had married into another family cutting off his ties to the main Kai branch. He is still a Kai though just his children were named Dune instead of Kai but as a male; he is still the second son borne from the first branch. Wealth and power he still wielded in the end, helping his wife's family to rise and the king to spare them a glance.
Compared to the main Kai family, they are still too far behind. Her eyes fell on the young boy beside the old madam Kai and thought of something, but when the eyes of his fell on the girl.
Aleo Prissa could not help but to release a sigh. Her daughter had no chance.
"Our poor child."
"We have a selection of males, there is no need to covet another. If you are looking at that Au boy, remember who his stepmother is. He also has two elder brothers even if they are fillers. Neither family is bad." Aleo Prissa pursed her lips and tasted the fish. It was soft and well seasoned; not too heavy or light. Her gaze scanned quickly the other tables and noticed that none from the Au family were present. So it is true, the old madam Kai blames the Au master for the death of the only Kai daughter.