As for the reasons why they picked these two stones, Keith really did not know as it was never mentioned in the novel and since it was a concept more prevalent within nobles, the old Keith was also not exposed to knowledge related to this.
Polygamy was common in the Empire and this went both ways. Females could have multiple male partners or Males could have multiple female partners. But there was one thing that was common between the two.
If a female decides to have multiple male partners, then her male partners would be forbidden from getting sexually involved with another woman. This went both ways and it was more accurate to call it a "law of the empire" more than calling it "forbidden".
Usually, it was the commoners who would take the role of concubines or a paramour, the male counterpart of concubine after the true meaning of "paramour" slowly changed through history from being a secret lover to an official lover.
To sum everything up, it was usually the rich and powerful who had multiple partners. And among these, it was mostly men who went after harems as they were relatively "Free" in terms of social standing in the Kazak Empire.
Keith silently followed behind Brandon and sat down beside Edward who was furthest from the main chair where Clangson was sitting. Brandon on the other hand, took the seat that was right beside the Baronet as it was left free specifically for him.
One of the maids walked towards him and in just a few seconds, set up a plate of food for him which was basically just cut up bread along with meat and vegetable stew. He glanced at Edward who hadn't touched his food yet and then looked at the others.
Out of the five of them, only Amelia was the one who confidently ate her food along with the nobles of this family and based on the way she ate and the way the nobles did, Keith had a feeling that she was a noble, but of a higher standing.
He leaned towards Edward and whispered, "Is Amelia a noble?"
"She was. Then she slapped one of the royal princes when she turned nineteen and her family disowned her. It was done out of necessity as that prince was spoiled and his mother, the queen was very supportive of all of his actions so her father had no choice.
She then joined our church and one of our arch bishops had to move for her sake. In just one night, the prince changed his mind and so did the queen. Unfortunately though, her father never took her back."
Keith nodded as his view of Amelia change drastically. As a reader, he knew how bad it was to live as a noble, especially as someone good looking as the royal family members were a bunch of horny dogs. This was the same for the neighbouring countries and kingdoms too, except a select few people.
While Brandon talked to Clangson, Keith silently listened to their conversation until he felt something touch his leg. He looked forward and saw a young girl who was barely 8 years old eating silently. The table was too wide even for an adult to be able to reach Keith's legs, which only meant two things.
One was that there was someone under the table and the second possibility was that someone at the table or one of the maids in the room, was an awakened.
Just as he was thinking, he heard a high pitched yelp from his right and turned to look at Amelia who had jumped up from her chair while the chair itself flew backwards from the force. She then lifted the white cloth that was used the cover the table and looked under it, only to find nothing.
"Brandon, I felt someone touch my leg." she said, frowning deeply as she looked at every single person at the table.
Clangson sighed when he heard her words and looked at his eldest daughter, "Maria, out of the room."
"But father!"
"I said out of the room, darling." the Baronet said with a smile on his face which shut his daughter up in an instant. Feeling embarrassed, she left the room with her head hung low while Amelia glared at her back.
Unfortunately for Clangson, she didn't let the issue go and pressed for an explanation, "Baronet Clangson, is this how you teach your kids to behave when you have guests at your home?"
"Miss detective, I apologise. I was too doting as she was my only daughter back then and now she's too spoiled. It's too late for me to do anything about her, but the rest of my kids are well trained in the mannerisms of nobles." he said, trying to explain himself, but when he saw that Amelia's frown deepened even further, he placed his fork and knife on the table.
"If you've been hurt by my daughter's actions, then I apologise. As a token of apology, will it be fine if compensate you with a thin stack of Zen?"
Keith saw the disgust on Amelia's face grow further, but Clara and Brandon both grabbed her by the wrist which seemed to work really well when it came to calming her down.
"Sure." she said one word and turned to look at the maids, "Will someone bring me back my chair? Or did this Baronet not teach you guys anything?"
"W- we're sorry, madame!" the one who looked like the head maid stammered as she hurried over and brought her back the chair.
The rest of the meal was eaten in silence until the Baronet and his family were done. They silently left after telling Brandon's group to have their fill.
And the moment they left the room, Brandon dug into his food like a hungry bear before turning to look at Keith, "Kid, don't let go of this chance and eat until the food fills up to your throat!"
Keith nodded and looked at Amelia, "Can you teach me? The etiquette I mean."