The midday sun bathed the expansive gardens in a warm glow as the nobility gathered for the Monster Hunt Festival, everyone enjoying the luncheon arranged for them.
The luncheon itself was a masterpiece. A long table groaned under the delicacies from every corner of the realm—succulent roasted meats, vibrant salads, an array of cheeses that would make a mouse weep with joy, and desserts that looked almost too beautiful to eat. Almost.
The noble families mingled, exchanging pleasantries and the latest gossip, their laughter ringing out like a chorus of bells.
Amidst the festivities, Jade stood with her son Izac, the empress-consort's face contorted in barely concealed disdain.
"Can you believe the audacity of that woman?" Jade spat out, her voice dripping with venom, as she glared at the red-haired woman happily chattering away with some noble ladies.
