"Are you really considering the invitation your majesty?" Nandini asked as she pulled out some cloths that are made back in palace on purpose of using in Patchal.
"Why not? If we don't entangled with them then how would we will understand their mind?" He replied.
"That's not what I meant" Nandini sighed "it's already a first day but deputy minister didn't waste the time to invite. It can only be on purpose of flattering and make the situation to turned on favourable to him"
Manik laughed "I know. Since he is already digging it himself then we don't have to wait for long and could finish here fast and return back"
Nandini couldn't help but agree. It's true though. They really do need interaction with the deputy minister to reach their goal and since the other party was so eager to do it then it could be consider as spare from some efforts.
"Looks like the decree really unsettled the heart of deputy minister" Nandini replied.
"That's happens when the person is doing some illigal means"
After the awkward meeting with the deputy minister, before leaving he invited them for a dinner to his residence and since they are seeking for chance already immediately accepted.
"What does your majesty know about the residence?"
Manik drink the tea as he replied "it said he had two daughters but the current mistress was not the first one. The first mistress died after giving birth to the elder daughter. Then he married after a year and who gave birth to another daughter. In addition the deputy residence don't have any male heir"
"Then how come the deputy gained such high position like this? If he was really relying on court then it is not possible. There must be something" Nandini frowned.
"Of course there is" Manik put the tea cup and smiled "as you know a beauty is really dangerous weapon to use for. And coincidentally the eldest daughter is exceptionally beautiful"
Nandini turned look at him before raising her eyebrows "this is the most shameless act I have ever seen. Using his daughter to raise up his position. Deputy minister really does not know the meaning behind relationship"
"Everyone is not same and their thoughts also different" Manik said warmly.
Nandini walk towards him and handed some cloths "your majesty should prepare for the dinner. Looks like deputy minister is really eager to capture you with beauty" her tone filled with mocking.
Manik couldn't help but laugh loudly. He took the cloths then smirked "you are my wife, shouldn't you protect me?"
Nandini raised her eyebrows "does your majesty want me to deal with those young ladies?"
"It's your responsibility isn't it?" He smiled.
Nandini gave a poker face before turning away "since your majesty had dropped the responsibility then I do need to take care of it" then she walk towards the table and grabbed her clothing before walking towards the room while Ageratina followed quietly.
Manik looked at her back then smiled bright before retreating towards another room to change.
In the changing room Nandini removed her upper cloths then frowned "those kind of leecher of a person to stick on someone until every drop of their blood is sucked off is showing his true colours even before it started" Nandini cursed directly.
If any other hears it they would faint on the spot as no one would think the empress who had elegant appearance would curse to this point. But for Ageratina who used to it didn't mind at all. Nandini seldom curse but when she curse she could make the listener bleed through their ear.
"My lady is implying..."
Nandini looked at Ageratina "I was carried away, you shouldn't follow my path of cursing. It would effect your manners"
Ageratina nodded furiously "yes" her reply was determined to let Nandini know she understood.
"Looks like there are few peoples who thinks themselves so high that no one can reach above them. I never understand why those peoples forgets that there is always someone better than them. Besides the world doesn't stops around them and the mysteries couldn't be unfold with such low state of mind" Nandini replied.
The corner of Ageratina's lips twitched. Her lady's words, if she have not followed her long back it would be impossible for her to understand the hidden meaning behind those words. She wonders sometimes how her lady managed to say those things which puzzles everyone yet clarify everything?
°°°°°°°°
The dinner was set at 8 pm of the evening. The deputy residence was cleaned neatly and many of the tasty dishes are prepared already. The maids are running here and there to arranged huge dinner that was about to start after the guest arrives. I'm the dining hall Pari frowned as she saw the scenes.
"Why there is so much noises?" She asked. The maid beside her bowed and replied.
"Young Miss is not aware but deputy master has ordered to prepare for a huge dinner tonight. He ordered it as soon as arrived after meeting the new officer"
Pari's face showed some understanding. She was with her father most of the time and seeing the sudden change of situation she could understand the meaning behind it. It was the old tricks od deputy minister and Pari knows it better than anyone. Besides she is also a proud beauty of Patchal so this arrangements are totally casual for her.
"Since father is organising then as a daughter I should help him" she smiled.
"I knew my daughter is smart" there comes the voice of Deputy Minister.
"Father..."
Deputy minister smiled warmly at his daughter "you are truly my blood and understand me even before saying. Tonight father will have to rely on you"
Pari smiled "when did I let father down on anything. For your reputation and position this daughter will definitely play well"
"That's my daughter, now go and change for the dinner. The guests would be arriving at any moment"
Pari nodded before leaving with her maid. Watching her leave the deputy minister ordered his servant "go ask the mistress and second young lady to prepare as well and behave tonight"
If he only present Pari then it would suspicious but if the other members also present then it would a simple family dinner. Besides he used this tricks before and never failed. After seeing Pari those officials would flatter him to meet Pari. It can be said that Pari's Charm is unbeatable so this time he want to grab the situation and needed to do this. Thinking about the situation he smiled with satisfaction.
After sometimes the guests arrived eventually and deputy minister went to welcome them. He was smiling at first then when his eyes fall behind the inspection officer his eyes widened. There was a beautiful lady following behind the officer. She was wearing a light pale dress but still it didn't made her beauty pale yet it enhanced her beauty more. He has seen many beautiful ladies but he never saw anyone her like. Looking at her he couldn't even think of Pari too.
"Does deputy minister want us to have dinner while standing at your door?" Manik's voice broke the silence making the deputy minister startled.
"Oh, I was distracted, please forgive me" deputy minister tried to smile and welcomed them inside the house.
Manik looked around then nodded "it said that Patchal is not a rich state to do trade but I couldn't believe those rumours. As I could see myself deputy minister's residence is quite big and exclusively decorated with expensive antic pieces"
Deputy minister's smiled stiffened. Before who visited him always praised his house for being beautiful yet here he is criticizing it.
"It's all my ancestors did. My father and grandfather loved to collect the antics and at that time the connection between the capital and Patchal was also good so they could buy such thing" deputy minister said explaining things.
"Oh, what about that painting? It was also the collection from your ancestors?" Manik pointed towards the south cornered wall where a huge landscape painting was hanged proudly.
Deputy minister gulped down hardly. It was a master piece made by current famous painter Siraz Faoski and was gifted to Pari by the Rich businessman who has some deals with him.
"It was gifted by one of my friends. He is businessman and trades many expensive things. Because of our good friendship he gifted it on spacial occasion" deputy minister replied. Originally it was last gifted on Pari's brith day banquet.
"I see, deputy minister has really good connection with traders" Manik replied before walking towards dining hall.
"Today's dishes are made of according to Patchal's tradition. I hope officer would not mind tasting different types"
Manik looked at Deputy minister then shook his head "I am not picky, if it's edible then it's fine"
Deputy minister couldn't help but frown. The meaning was clear. He was not here to see his flattery and anything is fine of it was a food. Smiling he lead them towards the dining table. From the other side the mistress was walking in with two young ladies behind her.
"Let me introduce" deputy minister stepped forward "this is my wife and mistress of residence Lamya and these are my daughter's" Deputy minister smiled more delightfully "elder daughter Pari" he pointed towards the beautiful young lady with fair skin and attractive figure who was standing with manners and looked delicate. She bowed a little then slightly blushed which added her more beauty.
"And my second daughter Liya" then he pointed towards the girl standing beside Pari who is little complex skin but looked elegant and innocent.
Deputy minister waited to hear the praise of Pari. No one was able to resist Pari's Charm and couldn't help but praise about her beauty so he was too proud and expecting to hear some prideful words.
"Is deputy minister going stand here all night?" Manik frowned at him. Himat suddenly recovered from his trance and looked at Manik. Instead of praising he asked another question.
On the side Pari's smiled stilled on her lips. She never expected that anyone could resist her beauty. No one was able to control them from praising her but then why he did not even glanced her back? Anger started to raise in her chest. But she couldn't express it.
Before she had seen many handsome man but the inspection officer was far more handsome than those men. He was tall, full muscled and even has a charming face that even her heart beat raised from its original space. Her eyes stucked on Manik's face and couldn't move at all. But that man is insulting her like this.
"Uh...that of course, please this way imperial officer" Himat forced a smile before showing them their seat.
After settling on chairs the maids started to serve them. Himat looked at Pari then to Manik before smiling.
"Today's dinner is special and my eldest daughter has arranged it. Whenever we held guest dinner she was the once who arrange it. I hope officer will the taste"
Pari who was sitting at side smiled warmly looking at Manik "it was just I wanted to give my father's guest the best thing we could provide. And our Patchal's cuisine is different from capital so I thought to arrange some like capital. I hope imperial officer will forgive me if there's any mistake" she said elegantly then lowered her head blushing.
At the same time another voice rang in the room "oh, I never thought Patchal has some rules totally different from capital. In capital the wives are the one incharge of these things but here I see that the young ladies are the one managing the house demands. Since everything was done by the young lady then I wonder what does the mistress do all day?"
The room fell in silence and everyone looked at the woman sitting beside the officer. And suddenly looking at her Pari felt anger in her heart.
This is the first time she saw someone who is better looking than her even without make up and expensive cloths?
Note:-
Here comes the start of another war 😂😂
What do you think?
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