The Emperor sits in his study, looking through the memorials piled up on his desk. He sets one aside, reaching for another when a sharp pain hits his head. The hunting ground incident has exacerbated his paranoia and headaches. Even with a sleep-inducing tonic, he managed only a few hours of restless sleep last night.
The culprit of the berserk horse was murdered in prison last night. He immediately suspected the Targa family's involvement upon hearing of it. But what of other traitors lurking in his court? The Imperial Consort backed by her father, the Minister of War, or the myriad treacherous subjects in his court who are coveting his throne? They are all vultures waiting for the chance to seize his power and take his throne.
He is still grappling with his paranoia when an announcement comes from outside, "The Noble Consort is here!"
The Emperor's face brightens instantly. He hastily arranges the memorials, adjusts his sleeves, and composes himself.
The doors open, revealing the Noble Consort in a flowing white gown that gracefully hugs her waist and cascades down to the ground. Her simple chignon adorned with a silver hairpin, its bead strings dangling.
The doors open to allow her entry. The Noble Consort is wearing a white dress that gracefully hugs her waist and cascades down to the ground. Her simple chignon is adorned with a silver hairpin with dangling bead strings at both end.
She curtsies gracefully. "Your Majesty."
"Rise, my beloved," he beams, extending his hand to beckon her closer. She obliges, giving her hand as she approaches.
"I should have come to see you earlier, please accept my apologies," She says in her ever gentle voice."I should have come to you," he replies, caressing her hand longingly.
Noticing the pile of memorials, she says, "I heard of the incident. You should heed the physician's advice and rest."
The Emperor searches her blank eyes, finding solace in the hint of concern in her voice. "I am well as long as you're by my side," he says, moving to kiss her hand but she withdraws before his lips make contact.
His hand hovers momentarily before dropping. Meeting her cold gaze, he scoffs inwardly at his delusion of imagining affection in her visit.
The Noble Consort draws back from him, assuming a formal posture with hands clasped at her abdomen. "Has Your Majesty received news from Armadia?"
His adoring look fades, jealousy tinging his voice. "Is your concern for our son, or someone else?"
She wears a polite smile. "Who else but my son would concern me?"
The Emperor searches those emotionless eyes of hers for deceit "The border is stable. Be at ease," he replies, affection returning to his eyes.
" I shall return to my palace then." The Noble Consort curtsies.
His lips part to protest, but she's already leaving. Disappointment crashes over him yet again as the doors close. He'd hoped to see her among making a ruckus outside his bedchamber yesterday only to be let down. Leaning back dejectedly, he inhales her lingering jasmine scent.
On their way back from the Dragon Palace, Attendant Nan, who serves the Noble Consort hesitates behind her.
"Speak your mind," the Noble Consort prompts, sensing her urge to speak.
Attendant Nan hastens to her side. "Why not stay longer? His Majesty surely desired your company."
The Noble Consort pauses, glancing back at the distant Dragon Palace. "You forget nothing good comes from being by his side. We're better avoiding trouble," she says quietly, resuming her walk.
However, the hopes of returning to her secluded palace without trouble is shattered when they sight the Imperial Consort approaching with four concubines whose families belong to her faction and their attendants.
The Noble Consort curtsies to greet the Imperial Consort while the concubines do the same to greet her.
The imperial consort's lips curl into a haughty smile. "Returning from the Dragon Palace, I presume?"
"Yes," the Noble Consort replies curtly, gaze lowered to avoiding spooking her ire.
"How unsurprising it is that His Majesty refuses to see everyone else but received you," the Imperial Consort remarks, disdain dripping in her tone. The Noble Consort remains expressionless at her jab.
"Her Highness is the Emperor's favourite. We pale in comparison," one concubine taunts.
Another adds, "How unfortunate that our multiple visits go unnoticed, while some are received instantly."
The highest-ranked of the four toys with her hair, muttering, "Who knows what whispers reached His Majesty's ear."
"How dare you disrespect Her Highness!" Attendant Nan snaps, stepping forward protectively.
"Attendant Nan," the Noble Consort hisses a warning, making her retreat.
The Imperial Consort inches close to the Noble Consort in an aggressive manner. "Have palace rules grown so lax that a mere attendant dares disrespect a concubine?" The Noble Consort is always a recluse so there's never a chance to bother her and now her attendant had unwittingly provided a reason to.
"Please forgive her lapse on the count of her age. I assure you, I will discipline her upon our return," the Noble Consort intercedes on her attendant's behalf. Knowing the Imperial Consort's temper, there is no saying what ahe might do to punish her attendant.
""But-" Attendant Nan protests, cut short by a slap from the Noble Consort. The elderly woman's eyes water as she cradles her stinging cheek, staring at her mistress in disbelief.
The Noble Consort swallows hard, facing the Imperial Consort with trembling hands clutching her own clothe. "That should suffice as punishment," she manages.
Surprise morphs into mocking grins on their faces. "You call that a slap?" the Imperial Consort sneers, nodding to a concubine.
The concubine comes forward, raising her hand to strike Attendant Nan when the Noble Consort seizes her and mid-air. "Don't you dare lay a hand on my person," she hisses.
"Noble Consort!" the Imperial Consort bellows. "You defy me for a mere attendant?"
The Noble Consort flings the concubine's hand away, sending her stumbling back with exaggerated cries of pain.
"My attendant's discipline is my responsibility," She declares, confronting the Imperial Consort. "Even if anyone should intervene, it can only be the Empress, as leader of the harem."
She would endure the Imperial Consort's wrath herself, but she won't allow harm to befall the woman who has watched over her since birth.. The Imperial Consort and concubines stare at her in stunned silence, their shock palpable. Attendant Nan regards her mistress with a mixture of pride and worry, knowing she has no one in the Imperial Court to rely on unlike the other wives.
"Let's go," she commands Attendant Nan, striding past the stunned women.
The Imperial Consort, recovering from her shock, fumes at the audacity. "Seize her!" she orders.