8 The Feast

The Prince continued to lead the way through different corridors causing Mia to get nervous since she lost track at how many turns they had made. She felt lost in a maze and her only source for help was the wicked man to her left.

She tried memorizing the passages, but after the third left and fifth right, she had to give up. She could only pray that the princes manor was less confusing and easier to escape because the emperors palace was too confusing to set up an exit strategy.

Eventually they approached a large wooden door that opened in the middle. The designs crafted upon the wood were of animals such as bears and lions. Before the prince opened the doors, Mia was able to touch the artwork and had a small smile appear with how incredibly beautiful it was. She traced her fingers following the pattern the artist used while creating the masterpiece.

Unbeknownst to the girl, the prince watched her little reaction to the decorations. He couldn't help but think to himself at how simple this girl was. Even though she looked like she belonged to the highest class, she obviously liked a life full of simplicity. She was a bit too use to the idea of freedom since that was what she had grown up to, but the prince narrowed his eyes. The girl no longer belonged to the simple life since the moment his wolf saw her. She may not realize it quite yet, but the prince was not going to let her go even if she tried to run away. She was his.

After some time, the green eyed woman looked to the prince who opened the door leading her into a grand hall filled with music, dancing, and more food than she had ever seen in her entire lifetime. The food could probably feed a whole village causing Mia to frown knowing most of it would be thrown away when the party was over.

Looking around, Mia spotted other princes drinking and dancing with women. Some appeared to already be drunk since they struggled standing and kept slurring talking to the girls who were basically sitting on their laps.

The smell of alcohol filled the air! Amelia saw other royals discussing business with noblemen while Ladies of the court stood together in groups discussing gossip in the country. Some of the women were dressed with so much fabric that they barely were able to whisper gossip since their dresses and frills didn't allow them too close to the other person.

The girl also noticed, just as Isabella said, some outfits worn by the noblewoman were simple but showed show much of their bodies. They had no shame as they approached the men they hoped to entice.

"Aha! My boy!"

Mia shifted and saw the emperor approaching Titus with a goblet in his right hand. He still wore a red outfit with a matching ruby, but it seemed his amplifier was not in use at the moment.

The prince and Mia bowed their heads immediately showing respect to the emperor.

"Father." Came the full response of the Prince.

The Emperor glanced at the woman standing next to his son giving out an exasperated sigh. However he noticed the black wolf walking next to her right side instead of by Titus causing him to wonder what power she had over the beast.

"It seems the rumors are true." The king seemed disappointed but kept a straight face. It was common for his sons to have concubines, but all the ones gifted to his favorite son usually died pretty quickly. Some speculated the prince had feelings toward his own gender, but the Emperor knew the boy enjoyed a woman's touch.

"What is your name?" Came the question from the emperor directed toward Mia.

"Amelia your majesty." She responded with a timid voice knowing this man was seconds from killing her this morning. He had no care toward her well being.

"I expect you to have had a poor education or is it that you don't know your last name?" The Emperor narrowed his eyes watching intently as the girl kept looking at her feet.

"Amelia Arnett."

"Very well." The Emperor grew tired of conversing with the woman and looked back upon his son smiling. "You know there have been developments with the Kingdom of Narensa. Their empire is offering a peace treaty so we don't initiate war. I guess you have scared them shitless my son. Well done!"

Looking around the area, Titus didn't respond to his father but simply nodded. Tonight the Prince knew would be filled of politics and possible marriage contracts.

"Amelia, go converse with other women while I speak to the Emperor."

Titus commanded Mia to leave so she wouldn't be able to hear the discussions that were about to take place. He didn't glance at her once and continued to walk away with his father.

Standing awkwardly for a moment, Mia finally felt a bump near her leg. Glancing down, she smiled realizing Ryder was staying by her side for the evening.

Taking a deep breathe, Mia started to walk around the room debating on which women to join. From the corner of her eye, she saw Lady Lucy who gave her a glare, but quickly ignored her.

One thing was for sure, she would avoid Lucy at all costs tonight.

"You're the War General's new concubine? Correct?"

Turning toward the voice, Mia looked at a young beautiful woman with long black hair. She had the most beautiful blue eyes she had ever seen.

"Yes.." Mia hesitated not knowing the status of the woman.

"I am Prince Jarrids concubine. My name is Lara. I'm the only one here tonight so I thought we could stay in one another's company. Most of the woman here don't like me very much either."

Letting out a sigh Mia shrugged.

"I guess I'm not too popular."

Lara started to giggle and quickly put her hand over her mouth to not be so loud, however, no one could miss the smile that spread across her face.

"No definitely not. But not for the reason of the sacrifice. A lot of the noblewoman believe the next heir will be Prince Titus. So naturally they want to destroy any of his women. And also, you have a wolf attached to your hip. They probably are a bit scared of you."

"Doesn't the Prince eventually do that for them?" Mia murmured but slapped her hand on her mouth realizing she just bad mouthed a royal.

"You're secret is safe Amelia. But woman are vile creatures who don't like competition. Being his concubine makes you competition."

Mia nodded looking around noticing that she could now distinguish between concubines and noblewoman. It seemed the concubines hung onto the princes and shamelessly pleased them while the noblewoman walked around with grace.

"Are you the only concubine of Prince Jarrid?" Mia asked wearily.

"Aha." Sighing, Lara glanced toward her brown haired Prince who was speaking to both Titus and the Emperor. "He has about eleven, but I might dare say I'm his favorite. Probably because I do not care for social status climbing."

Lara grabbed Mia's arm dragging her to the refreshment table pointing out a dish of blue droplets.

"These are a delicacy here Lady Amelia. It would be a shame if you never got to try it."

"Because I won't be living much longer?"

Lara pursed her lips and simply shook her head. "I wasn't trying to imply anything. You're the only concubine Prince Titus has claimed. All the others were gifted. So I doubt your life will be short. I think you have better odds."

Mia nodded grabbing the small piece of food placing it on her tongue.

A rich sweet jelly filled her mouth causing her to moan aloud.

"It's amazing, isn't it?" Came the happy response from Jarrid's concubine.

"Absolutely!" Mia couldn't resist grabbing for more when she heard footsteps approach from behind.

"Typical of a suahl." The sneering voice of Lucy jibed at the blonde. "You're absolutely disgusting."

Lara and Mia looked at the Lady but remained silent as they politely bowed their heads.

"Say, I think maybe we should let her continue her erotic eating habits. Maybe the emperor will finish the job from the stadium." A girl standing to the side of Lucy commented.

The girl had short red hair and was a bit behind the Lady informing Mia that she was also a concubine.

"Lady Aira, is Prince Lerrin busy tonight?" Lara smiled politely at the concubine but Mia could feel the harshness behind the words.

Immediately the short red haired girl glared at Lara. Lerrin decided to bring three of his concubines tonight. Two were able to sit on his lap causing Aira to be on her own. Being reminded of it caused Aira to become angry.

"It's fitting you two associate. You also are trash Lara. Just a useless bed warmer." Lucy remark giving both girls a tight smile. "Please enjoy the evening. I doubt you'll be able to attend more in the near future Amelia."

Eventually Lucy and Aira walked to another group of Ladies leaving the girls alone at the table.

"Calling you a suahl was inappropriate Amelia. You could probably speak to Your Prince about it-"

"There's no need. He won't care." Amelia continued to watch the ladies depart. She wasn't surprised that they came over to say something to the two girls, in fact, she expected it.

Suddenly a chime was heard in the room. Women started dispersing walking to the grand dining table where the nobles and royals were already sitting.

"Go to Prince Titus. Remember to follow his instructions." Whispered Lara. She quickly left Mia's side heading to Lerrin who was holding his hand out for her to grab.

Amelia looked around and found Titus watching her with narrow eyes. He did not break his gaze even as other men kept discussing things with him.

Amelia slowly approached the Prince who signaled for her to sit near him.

She started to make room to his left side, but the prince grabbed Mia by her arm and waist causing her to fall upon his lap straddling him.

Her face went red with embarrassment as she felt this position was too intimate. But the prince kept her put looking at her with his brown eyes.