My worst fear came to light when a shocking announcement was made on the first light of the flower season or autumn as what the mortals tend to describe it. Since it was going to be a beautiful morning, I had my breakfast by the lake – seated on the veranda overlooking the beautiful trees sprouting three different shades of colors.
Since I was eating outside my chambers for once, my staff which consisted of my personal waiting staff, the serving ladies, and the eunuchs were scattered around the premise.
"A messenger from the Royal Palace is here, Your Highness," spoke my staff.
Signaling for the messenger to approach, I waited for the message to be announced.
"There will be a new Queen Consort appointed within the third week of the Autumn Equinox – on a blessed day."
I paused from drinking tea as I felt my lips pursing in annoyance, but I remembered where I was and remained stoic. There were a lot of eyes watching me. Who was the lucky concubine? Amongst the long lists of potential concubines that he has in his arsenal, I knew who the likeliest candidate was.
If she was the correct one, she was centuries years younger than I was.
A vile taste sits on my tongue.
"There will be a celebration tonight, and he requests your presence. The soon-to-be Queen Consort bears his child. It's a time for celebration."
There was a pause as he waited for me to say something, but I kept mum, choosing to let my silence be the answer and the messenger finally retreated, bringing the pressure away with him. I watched him leave, seeing him scurry away as he went to deliver the message to my brother, Damon.
Was the child's gender made known? Is it going to be a boy?
I took a sip of tea and bit into my cake as I let my thoughts roam. Knowing that they had done the deed before getting married was unlike Father. He was getting impatient. I wonder why. It's been centuries since then. Well, the fact that he could still make a child was something I find interesting too.
I could feel Althea on my back. "What are you planning to wear, Your Highness?"
"I am representing my Father, so I ought to wear the best of what I have. Fitting for a banquet."
She bowed deeply. "We'll start preparing, Crown Princess."
"You do that."
…
Dressing up for the banquet took time. There are many layers to my ceremonial attire and my Court Ladies worked hard to get each clothing washed, pressed, and ironed so there weren't any creases. Their pride was at stake here, and they would want their Crown Princess to wear the best attire.
I was grateful for the hardworking and loyal staff.
I entered the room when they were done. It took them a few hours to get everything ready, right down to the makeup and accessories. I wore the base layer – a black long-sleeved shirt that reaches up to my neck and a pair of flared black pants. I put on shoes. Next was make-up and hair, as well as accessories.
"Let's put this on you, Crown Princess."
I nodded as I stood up from the chair. First, they wrapped the inner skirt around my waist, and the second outer skirt. They ensured that the skirts were wrapped properly around my waist before they moved to the upper torso attire. I raised my arms so they could slide the inner coat, and wrapped a silk cloth around my waist before putting on the outer coat. I had my emblem on the back and they helped ease out the wrinkles as they tied the coat loosely at the hip.
They attached gold accessories around my waist, showing off the jade and crystals of my rank and nobility. Next were hairpin accessories. Each was inserted with due care and measurement, to make sure that each was inserted with equal spaces and so it did not look too crowded on my head.
Then, my crown came in. Iole came carrying it on a maroon pillow. The crown was a beautiful gold wreath, created and spun by the royal blacksmith who prided with his work. I took the wreath from her and put it on my head using the full-length mirror, allowing Althea to secure it on my hair.
"How do I look?" I asked.
Receiving affirmed nods from my Court Ladies, they sprayed a flowery perfume on me and finally, I was ready. I left the room and headed outside, my court ladies following behind me. The rest of my entourage was already waiting by the entrance gate. They were dressed in their finest and they were checking on the other's appearance when I arrived.
They sobered up when they saw me and I stepped out of the gate, walking towards the throne hall – where the celebration was to be held.
It's going to be a long night.
The throne hall was a large building with high walls and high ceilings. It was redecorated – to display the emblems of the Chief and the colors of the royal family. Two very long rows of tables and chairs were set parallel to the walls and the third row of tables and chairs were placed perpendicularly – where we take our seats.
In the middle sat the King's throne, next to him was the Queen Consort's throne. On her right sat my throne while on his left was Damon's throne.
The guests were already seated by the time Damon and I arrived, and our arrival was announced so they could stand up as we entered the hall, walking past the many rows of people to where our seats were.
We spoke little as we sat on our assigned seats and we didn't have to wait long till they announced the arrival of the Chief and the new Queen Consort who bore his child. I hid whatever thoughts or emotions I had as I stood up to receive their arrival, as I knew Father was All-Knowing.
My guess for the new Queen Consort was correct, the favored concubine was the one who managed to bear his child after all. Her name was Hestia, she was the one who used to be his court lady. She was indeed a few hundred years younger than I was and she was glowing with childbearing. Her stomach had yet to show any bulge and I looked away as I noticed it.
We bowed in greeting, keeping a stoic face as we moved away, allowing them to take their seats and sat down when the pair sat.
Time to be a good daughter and a Crown Princess. It's gonna be a long night.
…