Chapter 23 : Meet Fauna and Tera.

On another side of the imperial palace, Suki was crying her eyes out. She felt so unreconciled but was too tired to throw a tantrum. The servants were helpless to stop her lest they become her victim.

The servants had stolen from her but she was the one that was punished [ I had to do so much work to become an imperial consort ] Her father was the Minister of Foreign Affairs and often brought her many nicknacks.

So she'd grown an interest in geography, learning as much as possible about the places her father was planning to visit and the presents he brought back. This hobby of hers had proved quite useful to her.

One night while she was giving Eros a massage, she came across a map and was so excited she spoke without thinking. Eros didn't mind and was however glad for her help.

She wasn't sure whether it was her IQ or creativity but she could easily visualize anywhere on a map and if she concentrated hard enough, see what was happening at that point in time.

She'd helped Eros to track down rogue beasts and save lost solders. Eros was so pleased with her he promoted her to Imperial Consort but now because of a foreign empress, a year's hard work was down the drain.

" If I was able to have Eros' child. No one would try to bully me " Suki spent the rest of her morning crying over her demotion and humiliation.

~ ~ ~

Nectar and the others were leisurely enjoying their breakfast. They had it out in a clearing enjoying the autumn breeze. They had hot warm dumplings and corn pudding - it was somewhat tasteless but sugar, cream or chocolate could be put on - Nectar enjoyed it as well as the freshly baked bread and strawberry jam.

The smell of the jam was so refreshing she couldn't get enough of it [ The spoon just gets in my way ] So she took the glass jar and began licking it with her hands. The kids and Liam simply looked like they wouldn't expect anything less from her.

Reli on the other hand was a bit shocked but a lot better at expecting the unexpected around Nectar. So using her right hand ( the uninjured one ), she licked the contents clean using her three middle fingers.

Licking her pale pink lips to remove any sort of remnants on her face but what she did next was a bit absurd. She began taking long whiffs of the jar as if remembering the scent.

Reli was unable to hide the confusion on her face but Liam spoke nonchalantly as he poured more milk on June's pudding " Stop sniffing like a dog Qidu. I'll have the chef send the ingredients ".

Nectar nodded happily as she licked her fingers clean. Unable to come up with a good explanation, curiosity got the better of her " What will sister do with it then "? Nectar smiled softly " Then I can make a scent out of it. It does smell lovely, do you want a whiff "?

Nectar held out the jar to Reli who politely shook her head to decline. They were almost done when the two servants from earlier appeared again. They both seemed a lot cleaner from the last time they were seen.

They had on simple plain grey dresses. Their bluish green hair was in a simple ponytail and they still had their eye patches on. Nectar waved for them to end the greeting and they held their hands silently, nervous.

Nectar had been given another jar of jam but it was not nearly as big as the last one she ate. Licking the jam off her fingers, she smiled at the two " You look a lot better now. Would you two be okay if I named you "?

They looked at each other obviously nervous when Nichole spoke up " You don't have to worry Sister Qidu is awesome at naming people, she even named us ". The two smiled, relaxing a little bit and nodded.

Nectar eyed them as if inspecting them when she beckoned them to her side of the table. Using her bandaged hand, she touched the one with a blue eye making her stiffen " Fauna, That's your name from now on ".

Nectar then turned to the other one gently pulling at her hair " Tera,I'll call you that ". The two bowed low " We thank her highness for such an honour ". Nectar waved it off happily " I hope we get along and don't be afraid to say whatever you need ".

They nodded again and Nectar turned to the kids at the table " I have a surprise for you guys ". Nathaniel perked his ears, hands on the table " What is it? Do tell ". Nectar smiled and pointed at the two servants " Your looking at 'em ".