The breakfast hall remained shrouded in silence, as still as it had ever been. The dining hall within the palace stood as a magnificent symbol of opulence and refinement. Bathed in the gentle, morning light that streamed through the towering windows, it exuded an aura of grace and tranquility.
Elaborate tapestries adorned the walls, depicting scenes from the kingdom's rich history. The intricate weavings, comprised of deep hues, seemed to come alive under the warm touch of sunlight.
A long, polished wooden table extended across the center of the room, its surface etched with intricate carvings. It was adorned with delicate silverware, porcelain plates, and crystal goblets, arranged meticulously with precision and care.
The table acted as a centerpiece, adorned with freshly cut flowers displayed in ornate vases, their sweet fragrance permeating the air.
Around the table, various individuals were seated, including Genghis's mother, his brothers, and their respective spouses. Each of them wore pleasant smiles upon their faces, exuding an atmosphere of warmth and harmony.
Sera and Kara found themselves positioned at a corner of the table, not because of any special distinction, but rather out of habit. They stood and looked at the table that were filled with food of all kinds. It had become routine for more than half of the family members to have their breakfasts in their own bedrooms.
However, on this particular day, with Sera and Kara preparing to depart from the palace, everyone had gathered around the table. To their dismay, they were tasked with assisting the maids in setting up the table.
"How did you find the meal, Lady Meredith?" Sera inquired, addressing Genghis's mother.
"I prepared the sauce, Mother. Is it to your liking?" one of the brother's wives asked Meredith, who peered at the brown sauce.
"It may not be the most visually appealing, but I'm certain it tastes delightful, my dear," Meredith replied with a proud smile.
Throughout the five days they had spent in the palace, this was the first instance in which Sera had witnessed the brother's wives making their way to the kitchen. It reinforced the notion that the palace was akin to a foreboding castle with individuals such as them, though Seraphina made an effort to suppress such thoughts.
"Seraphina, my dear, please take a seat and break your fast with us," Meredith invited, gesturing towards an empty chair situated at the far end of the table.
Sera nodded appreciatively, her hand reaching for the back of the designated chair.
"Oh, wait, my dear. Could you please wake up Genghis?" Meredith requested, causing Sera to pause in her actions.
Kara's eyes narrowed with envy as she cast a disapproving glare at Meredith. On the other hand, Seraphina had a different reaction altogether.
"Of course, I can do that," Sera replied.
"Oh, wonderful," Meredith beamed.
"There are maids in the hallway, gossiping their way to the kitchen. Why can't they-" Kara began to complain.
"It's fine, Kara. It's just a matter of waking up Genghis. I'm quite satisfied, so there's no need to worry," Sera interjected, giving Kara a pleading look, silently urging her not to create a scene on their final day.
Kara let out a loud sigh and pulled the chair next to Sera.
"Oh, Kara, dear, do try some of the sauce," Meredith invited Kara as she took her seat.
"I will," Kara responded, still harboring anger.
Sera glanced back at her friend and let out a sigh.
"I hope she doesn't create any trouble today," Sera thought to herself as she walked away to wake up Genghis.
-
Genghis yawned widely, exposing his teeth. It was not the most pleasant scene to start her day.
Sera fought the urge to close her eyes at the sight and maintained the pleasant smile she had entered with. After all, it seemed she was quite the actress.
"Oh, Seraphina, dear, I'll be down in a minute. We haven't had a chance to talk much during your stay. You've been busy with Mother and the kitchen work," Genghis said, suppressing his yawn and offering her a brief smile.
"I was brought here to learn about the duties in the palace, my lord. So, I've been practicing everything that needs to be done. But I should be on my way--" Sera started to explain.
Genghis frowned at her words.
"Dear, you will also be my wife. Doesn't it seem like you don't know a single detail about me?" he questioned.
Sera was taken aback by his statement. In a way, she liked how things were between them. Their relationship was cordial enough. They acknowledged each other's existence. What more did they need?
Alas, forming a meaningful connection with a man who could be her father's age seemed challenging and impractical.
"It does, my lord. But as I mentioned earlier, I will be returning to my home today, so making acquaintances might have to wait for a while," she replied, secretly hoping that she would never have to engage in such formalities.
"Oh, I see. Is my mother downstairs? She requested the maids to prepare my favorite meal," Genghis said with a smile that quickly transformed into a yawn.
Sera cleared her throat, feeling a mix of relief and anticipation.
"Well, it seems you need to freshen up. I'll leave you to it. Please let me know if there's anything else I can do. Thank you," she said, making her way out of the room.
Closing the door behind her, she let out a sigh of relief. Yet, doubts continued to linger in her heart. What if Damian's plan failed? The question plagued her mind.
"God, help me," she whispered, clasping her hands together in prayer, seeking guidance from the heavens above.
She tried to calm her raising heart by patting it over and over. "This too shall pass," she chanted in her head.
-
The twilight hour arrived, signaling that Sera's departure was drawing near. She was grateful that she would soon be returning home.
"...And then you add the pepper. Dear, are you listening?" Meredith's voice broke through Sera's distant thoughts, bringing her back to the present. She nodded quickly.
"Yes, pepper. What's next?" she asked, trying to appear attentive even though her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of leaving the palace.
"It has been two hours, Sera. This is enough," Kara whispered to her, expressing her impatience. Sera sighed softly, aware of her friend's frustration but still focusing on Meredith, who continued to talk about her son's favorite dish.
As Meredith finished explaining, another thirty minutes passed.
"And in the end, you boil it all together. Hence, the name... Boiled potatoes," Meredith concluded, looking expectantly at Sera. Sera nodded, eager to please.
"I will practice making it when I return home," she said with a smile, receiving a nod of approval from Meredith.
"Of course..." Meredith sighed and glanced around. "Dear, how have your days been here? Have you learned anything?" she inquired.
"Well, I've learned a lot about the kitchen during my stay here. It's been quite an experience, thank you," she lied through a forced smile.
"And... dear, Kara."
"Hm?" Kara replied, lacking enthusiasm.
Sera concealed her amused smile, recognizing that Kara had grown weary of the palace. Her eyes betrayed her true feelings, despite her attempts to hide them.
"I sincerely apologize for not being able to provide a separate bedroom for you, Kara. We are short on maids. Please accept my deepest apologies," Sera said, genuinely apologetic.
Kara looked at her and offered a facade smile. Sera squeezed her hand under the table, offering silent support. Kara squeezed her hand back. Both the friends being there for each other.
"It's alright. I felt perfectly comfortable with Sera. She made me feel at home," she said, emphasizing her point.
"That's wonderful to hear. Now, Sera... The ring you're wearing," Meredith swiftly changed the subject, displaying no remorse for their shared room arrangement. "It's a family heirloom passed down by my great grandmother. She was an incredible woman, Sera. She had nine children, started out in her youth... My mother was so proud of her family," Meredith chuckled, reminiscing.
"Is that so? How lovely," Sera replied, forcing a smile.
"Yes, dear. I hope that you can bless this family with an heir after Genghis. You see, all my other sons have daughters. I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of a handsome son, just like my little boy, Genghis," Meredith said, beaming with pride.
"We will certainly do our best," Sera replied, struggling to process the weight of her words. Her response hung in the air, creating an awkward silence.
After all the discussions and her experiences in the house, it was evident that her primary responsibility was to bear children and maintain the household. Not to mention cooking. Her future appeared daunting.
"Sera, why don't we go pack our things? Your father should be here any moment to take us back," Kara interjected, breaking the silence in the room.
"Yes, Kara. Lady Meredith, we will prepare ourselves. If you need anything else, I will be in my room."
"Thank you, dear. Make sure to pack everything. Oh, it won't really matter anyway..." Meredith chuckled to herself. "You will be back here again, sooner or later!"