Break the Promise
Tasia's question made all the ladies-in-waiting look at each other. Even for creatures with low emotions, pity could arise in their feelings.
"Please forgive us, Empress. The healers have found nothing that can cure your appearance. We only brought herbs to strengthen the Empress' body."
"Oh.." Tasia mumbled with a heavy sigh "I see.."
Neither fish porridge nor rabbit stew tasted good on Tasia's tongue. All the food she ate tasted bland. She didn't have the slightest appetite. She only ate a few mouthfuls of porridge, and then pushed the bowl away. She grabbed the herb and gulped it down. She finished her meal by leaving almost full bowls.
After helping Tasia take a bath, the ladies-in-waiting came out.
Tasia smiled faintly at her ladies-in-waiting before they disappeared from behind the door. Her left hand touched her cheek. The lines at the ends of her lips were getting longer. Her scales also spread larger until now some of them reached her jaw.