The Devine Flower

Tea time with the First Concubine in her private garden had been a highly unpleasant experience, yet Seren went through it with quiet grace. With Dusk's presence, Lady Clarisa was also smart enough to understand this was Drayce warning her that she was being watched, and thus, the middle-aged concubine resumed her amiable smiling face and began to tell Seren about work-related matters of the royal harem and the Vermillion Palace. 

After realizing she could learn the rest once she got to read the related documents from Lady Clarisa's office, Seren decided to leave. Though Lady Clarisa's mocking didn't affect her trust in her husband, she found it no longer necessary to pretend to be friendly with the woman. 

"Thank you for the tea, Lady Clarisa," Seren said as she stood up from her seat. Despite not liking the older woman, Seren was raised to be a royal with good manners.