" Mask your emotions, son." Noble Consort Cercei mumbled.
Noble Consort Cersei was wearing a pink Cherom, a dress traditionally worn by women from the North of Tatum. It was form-fitting on the upper half and flowed down. The dress involved difficult hand embroidery and has no sleeves. The collar is usually made from a piece of material that wraps around the neck, with the two ends meeting at the center front of the neck. Then a cape is worn over it. The front of the cape would reach the waist whereas the back could be long enough to reach the thighs.
Noble Consort Cercei's Cheroms are usually paired with hair bands with flowers, pearls, and tassels on both sides of the face that are long enough to brush against her shoulders.
Noble Consort Cercei walked alongside Noble Consort Aiesha.
Noble Consort Aiesha was wearing a hanfu. Her mother's family originated from central China; to honor that, she always wears a hanfu unless she is forced not to.
Noble Consort Aiesha's gaze landed on Erix.
He truly was the mirror image of Noble Consort Cecei. They both had straight brown hair and blue eyes. Their facial features also looked extremely similar.
The family sat down.
The Noble Consorts and Erix sat on the side below the stage where the King, Queen, Arthur, and Eudora's thrones were placed. Maids served them snacks and fanned them.
Ivan and Nefeli had already begun their journey to Xylem.
The royal court happens once a week where all the members of the royal family, nobles, and officials sit down and talk about the development of the Nation every Sunday. This strategy was used to strengthen the ties between the royal family members, nobles, and officials and to reduce the chances of a rebellion for centuries. Tatum is proud to say that they haven't faced a coup in several centuries.
The ministers shared their concerns about the current affairs and offered the King advice on how to deal with them. It drew near the end of the meeting.
The King's eyes momentarily landed on Erix who had been staring at Eudora. He knew that look on his face and realized he needed to bring a stop to it immediately.
" Erix." the King called out.
Erix snapped out of his trance, got up, and bowed to the King, " Yes, your majesty?"
It has been twenty-four years and Erix remained bothered by the fact that he could not address the King as "Father" in public. It was a constant reminder that he did not belong in the "perfect family."
Erix's heart stung even more when he saw The King, Queen, Arthur, and Eudora sitting above the Noble Consorts and him.
We are just their puppets and playthings. We will always be beneath them.
No! One day I will stand there. Looking down on them.
" You are twenty-four years old. All of your peers have settled down. Even your brother had gotten married. When do you plan to settle down?"
Erix was dumbfounded. The ministers have more than enough times mentioned his unmarried status to the King who usually turns a blind eye to it saying " When he wants to, he will settle down."
Why is father bringing up my unmarried status now?
Did he notice me looking at the Princess?
Were my intentions that clear?
Erix awkwardly smiled and humbly bowed before his father as he replied.
" When I meet a woman that I love, I will settle down."
That was a good enough answer for the King and Erix sat back down. He controlled his gaze and kept it on the plate of food in front of him.
Above him, Eudora was facing a dilemma.
During the talks with her governor, Madame Maxime, she suggested Eudora often show acts of affection in public with her husband to ensure that there would be no rumors about the state of their marriage. Acts that she mentioned included feeding him.
While Eudora was thinking about the perfect time to feed him, the King stood up and left. His advisor announced the end of the court meeting and everyone slowly got up from their seats and left too.
Arthur stood up. He extended his hand to Eudora.
Eudora was still staring at the plate of strawberries.
" Your Highness…."
The maid whispered to Eudora.
She came back to her senses and looked up at Arthur. She took his hand and got up. The two silently walked out. The ministers bowed to them and Eudora acknowledged it with a smile and a nod but Arthur remained unfazed.
Suddenly he halted.
Arthur turned to Eudora. He looked at her pure blue orbs before he leaned in and…..