ENCHANTED | Ergi .C

Chapter Eight | Wrath

"There’s no banquet?"

When Rashta asked Emperor Sovieshu how big the banquet would be and whether she could invite her friends, she was not prepared for this blow.

"But the Baron said we were going to have a big party…"

"Didn’t I tell you that it would be New Year’s Day soon? I didn’t want to rush this, but you were the one that wanted the signing ceremony as soon as possible."

"?"

Despite his explanation, Rashta only looked on in puzzlement. Sovieshu realized he was thinking too highly of her level of common sense. She seemed smarter than she appeared, but he had forgotten that she knew nothing about the nobility.

"It’s my mistake."

"What do you mean?"

"It is not easy to arrange a large banquet. There are other things I am busy preparing. Time is tight, and it’s rude to have one large feast after another."

"Ah…! But is there another banquet on the same day as Rashta’s signing ceremony?"

"New Year’s Day will be soon."

Rashta turned crestfallen as her dreams of being congratulated by nobles at a lavish, grand banquet turned to dust. She had always wanted to see people flocking to her, and so she persuaded Sovieshu to have the ceremony as soon as possible. It was clear that the Emperor would be annoyed by this, and so Rashta did not show any signs of unhappiness and remained silent.

However, her disappointment only increased on the day of the ceremony. Even if there wasn’t a grand banquet, she still expected one of some sort. And when that didn’t happen, she expected the Emperor shower her with apologies and a promise of gifts.

There was neither a word of congratulations nor a gift from the Empress either. The Princess was also not presented despite the news of her return. Although she's still intimidated of Princess by what happened, she thought the Princess would at least showed her face and congratulate Rashta for she had became her brother's concubine.

She felt sad as Baron Lant had told her that the palace’s great halls were under the domain of the Empress.

Rashta had diligently practiced her signature, but after signing the document she felt empty. When she finished, the chancellor immediately left, saying he had work to do. There was no cheering, applause, or the feeling of ecstasy as if she had everything in the world.

Sovieshu also left with a "There’s work I have to finish," and "I'll see you later."

When Rashta returned to her room, she buried her face in her hands.

"Why is it like this?"

Rashta’s maids approached and asked her what was wrong, and the hurt that she had been holding inside her finally burst.

"The Empress must hate me because Princess called me filthy backthen, otherwise we wouldn’t have skipped the banquet or the gift. Even if she doesn’t give me a present, couldn’t she show her face?"

"Don’t cry, Rashta. Why are you crying on such a good day…"

"Don’t worry, you’ll rarely see her anyway."

However, Rashta’s hurt did not fade. When Sovieshu finally hurried to see her after he finished his work, he noticed she was in a somber mood.

"Why does my prey look so down on this meaningful day?"

"What do you mean, meaningful day? I haven’t been congratulated by anyone…"

"Not congratulated by anyone? The chancellor congratulated you. He bowed to you, and the servants as well."