Gladiator✔️

Gift

Three new moons have passed and soon it was the time for a faded ceremony to be painted in new contrasting colors. There were red, white and golden candles of different shapes decorating the empress residence of the Ambrose empire situated in the Dandelion Gardens inside the eastern courtyards of Palace.

It was a century old ritual which required all the females to gather in the holy shrine of the goddess of fertility and strength Riera on the day of Second moon once a decade. The prayer to the goddess was not restricted to the wish of having a child only but also closely entwined with various heartfelt beliefs that the sacred mother provided courage, beauty and valor, thus both married and unmarried women were to be present.

The holy shrine had three levels of purity, Sun was the very first level that comprised of all the Royal and aristocratic women selected to pay their tributes by standing nearer to the great sculpture of the Riera, crouched down on their knees to pay their utmost respects.

The next comes the Sky- the daughters of the rich merchants who although were pampered and loved had no ties with the emperor or nobles stood on the second level, their head bowed as they chanted the scripture books for all to listen and pay heed.

Lastly was the level of Valleys for the servants of the nobles who held their heads high protecting and looking out for their vulnerable mistresses engrossed in the ceremony.

The moonstone flower growing only in the holy monastery of frozen Silian river is then brought at the end of the night to have its essence extracted and served as a tea for ensuring good health and abundance in life.

This was all that Lilith could read and gather about the great rite taking place just after which a banquet would be hosted. She flipped the pages of the book leisurely as if the contents providing deep knowledge about the customs and practices was not worthy of her attention while her two sweet maids pampered her for the upcoming banquet.

Since she was not originally born in the capital, there was no invitation of the ritual of Riera for her so while she was absorbing the scripture at Lotus mansion ,others were praying in the palace.

"Those noble ladies are too much mistress, when one marries into the General residence it is exactly same as being born into the capital." Daisy although dressed the general's wife using gentle movements there was a disgust clear in her eyes when speaking about the high class ladies.

"Mistress need not be worried, once they see out magnanimous grace in all her beauty at the banquet all they can do is burn one's heart in jealousy." Compared to Daisy, Lily's words were soft spoken but one could detect a small crack in façade that symbolized how much they detested how their Lady was treated.

Not only the two maids but the entire Lotus mansion was in an uproar. The lady although soft spoken was extremely sharp and graceful. Even though the beauty was kept aside and one does not pay heed to it, it was clear that the residence was managed extremely well. The servants got abundant opportunities and were rewarded very well. Once the mistake was heavy the punishment that followed was not light either.

It was like winning mind and heart both, those old maids earlier unsatisfied with the bearing of the general's wife became respectful while the ones who only had the intentions to lick boots became aware and stiff.

"Since they do not consider this Lilith to be one of them it can't be helped. One's family resides inside Lotus mansion, about others this General wife cannot be concerned of." The smile which graced the features were of laziness as if the matter discussed was as insignificant as comparing soil with sand.

When the ladies in waiting heard their mistress happy they had their spirits rejuvenated.

"Our grace is the most magnificent."

While they were interacting inside the large chamber a knock sounded on the gigantic crafted door.

"Enter"

Vios entered keep a fist at his heart while bowing down. Lily and Daisy were deeply observed and investigated by Lilith and in the time period of three months became a confidant for certain matters that did not have their roots deep into the soil thus when Vios started Lilith did not asked to be left alone.

"As instructed by Mistress the matter of Miss Regina has been investigated thoroughly. Earlier days the woman was found venturing into the private grounds of Empress Secya's close confidant Lemen."

"What did they talked?" The more Vios saw how his Lady worked the better his impression of her became. Unlike all other guards this was someone whom Lilith selected simply from a poor household rather than the 'Arzon' army of Azarios.

"About the private affairs of The General and Mistress." While saying such the man had no emotions and simply stated the fact but the woman sitting infront of him had schemes and methods so it was natural for one to understand it well........the intentions as well as the conspiracy brewing.

"Nanny Lemen gave three days time to Reginia but it has already been past that."

Lilith was somewhat surprised in her heart, a soft laughter escaping her lips. This Empress was not a fool. The tigress who hunts and at the same time had an exact knowledge on when and where to withdraw weapons was most dangerous of all.

When Seycea saw the emperor's reaction that day she did not show even a single ounce of emotion what more was that even after knowing inside details the woman did not go berserk, she instead sat back and observed the waves.

"Atrocious! Mistress gave that treacherous woman so much freedom and yet she dare deceive." Lilith waved her palm as if suddenly being in a joyful mood.

"Call Reginia over here, let us see how much courage a dog has after ripping off his tail."