It had been three weeks since the last time, and Eiravelle had been invited by the concubines to visit the Middle Palace.
The Middle Palace had been built for the harem of every sovereign in the kingdom and it was where the concubines spent most of their time together.
They had invited her so she could meet them properly, have tea with them and get to know the omega who lived there.
The invitation had arrived two days ago, written on fine parchment and sealed with the crest of the Middle Palace. Eiravelle had read it three times, her brow was furrowing deeper with each reading.
She had known, even then, that there was something strange about the invitation. The concubines had never shown any interest in her before. They had whispered behind her back, had laughed at her gifts during the wedding celebration, and had made it clear that she was not welcome among them. And now, suddenly, they wanted to have tea? It did not make sense.
But Eiravelle was not particularly interested in getting involved with them. She could not refuse such an invitation without making herself look arrogant.
She had already been labeled as the sovereign’s favorite, the omega who had been given the eastern wing, the one who had captured Qazaethel’s attention in a way that none of them ever had.
To refuse their invitation would only add fuel to the fire, would give them more reason to hate her, to whisper about her arrogance, her rudeness, and her lack of respect for the hierarchy of the harem.
She decided that she would simply greet everyone, stay for a short while and then leave. There was no reason for her to remain in the Middle Palace longer than necessary.
She would be polite, she would smile, and she would not allow herself to be drawn into any of their games. She had learned, over the past few months, that the harem was a place of shadows and whispers, a place where words were weapons and smiles were masks. She had no intention of becoming a part of that world.
Saye accompanied her as they made their way there and spent most of the journey telling her about the place. The servant had grown protective of Eiravelle over the past few weeks, had watched her struggle and had done everything she could to make her life easier.
She explained which parts of the palace had been built by previous sovereigns and told her about some of the concubines who had lived there many years ago.
"The Middle Palace was built during the reign of Sovereign Vaelora," Saye said as they walked. "She was the first sovereign to establish a harem, and she wanted a place where her concubines could live comfortably, away from the main palace. Since then, every sovereign has added to it in some way. Some of the wings are older than others, but the main hall has remained unchanged for centuries."
"People say there were always conflicts between the concubines," Saye continued. "Some of them became close friends while others became enemies because of their positions."
"That does not surprise me," Eiravelle replied.
"Some even fought over who would receive the sovereign’s attention."
Eiravelle smiled faintly. "I think I would rather avoid that kind of competition."
Saye looked at her. "You already have no interest in competing."
"I have better things to worry about."
Her hand moved toward her stomach as she spoke. She was four months pregnant now and her belly was growing like a six months now. The healer explained that she was carrying the Hybrid dragon’s child so she doesn’t need to worry anything.
She had started becoming more conscious of it. She wanted to protect the child from unnecessary trouble and she had no intention of involving herself in the conflicts between the concubines.
The child was all that mattered. The child was the reason she was here, the reason she had accepted Qazaethel’s offer, and the reason she had left Arielle behind. She would not allow anything to jeopardize that.
Saye noticed the gesture but said nothing.
When they finally reached the Middle Palace, Eiravelle took a breath before entering. The building was grand, its walls were made of pale stone that gleamed in the afternoon light.
The entrance was flanked by two large statues of dragons, their eyes were carved from rubies that seemed to glow with an inner fire.
She reminded herself that she only needed to remain polite. Whatever happened inside, she would not allow herself to become involved.
The moment they entered the main hall, however, the laughter that had filled the room stopped.
Eiravelle looked around.
The concubines who had been talking moments earlier were now looking at her. Some looked openly hostile while others exchanged glances with their companions. A few were smiling but there was something mocking about their expressions that made Eiravelle immediately understand what was happening.
She had walked straight into a trap. She had suspected that the invitation was strange from the beginning but she had still decided to come. Now she regretted it.
Saye leaned closer to her. "Your Highness."
"I know," Eiravelle quietly replied.
The highest-ranking concubine stood from her seat and smiled at her. She was a tall woman with sharp features and eyes that seemed to see everything.
Her name was Vespera, and she had been the sovereign’s concubine for nearly a ten centuries. She was known for her intelligence and her ambition, and she had made no secret of her desire to become the sovereign’s favorite. "Lady Eiravelle, I am glad that you accepted our invitation."
"Thank you for inviting me," Eiravelle said politely.
"We have wanted to meet you for some time. You have become quite well known in the palace."
"I have heard the same about all of you."
The woman smiled. "Please, have a seat." She pointed toward one of the vacant chairs among the other concubines.
Eiravelle looked at it for a moment before walking toward it. She could feel the eyes of the other women following her as she moved. Some were curious while others seemed to be waiting for something to happen. Saye quietly pulled the chair out for her.
"Thank you," Eiravelle said before sitting down. Saye then moved behind her and stood with the other servants.
Eiravelle placed her hands on her lap and looked at the omegas around her. Nobody spoke for a few moments. The silence was uncomfortable and she wondered what they were waiting for.
The highest-ranking concubine eventually picked up her cup of tea and took a small sip. "I hope you will forgive us if we seem curious," she said. "It is not every day that someone of your position visits the Middle Palace."
"There is nothing to forgive."
"We have heard many things about you."
Eiravelle looked at her. "Have you?"
"Of course. The palace has been talking about you for quite some time."
"I suppose that cannot be helped."
One of the younger concubines suddenly laughed. Eiravelle turned toward her.
The woman quickly covered her mouth and lowered her head as though she had done nothing wrong. "I apologize," she said. "I simply found something amusing."
"Did you?" Vespera.
The woman smiled. "Nothing important."
Eiravelle said nothing. She had already learned that the safest response to an insult was sometimes no response at all.
Another concubine looked at her stomach before looking back at her face. "So it is true then."
Eiravelle’s expression changed slightly. "What is true?"
The woman smiled. "That you are pregnant."
The room became quiet again.
Eiravelle’s hand slowly moved over her stomach. She looked at the woman who had spoken and understood immediately that this was what they had been waiting to discuss. "I see," Eiravelle said calmly.
The highest-ranking concubine placed her cup back on the table. "Surely you did not expect us not to hear about it."
"I did not expect anything."
"Then perhaps we can finally speak honestly."
Eiravelle looked around the room. The mocking smiles had disappeared. The women were watching her closely now and there was a clear interest in their expressions.
She had come here intending to stay for only a short while. Now she was beginning to wonder if they had ever intended to let her leave peacefully.
"What would you like to speak about?" she asked.
The highest-ranking concubine smiled. "Your position in the palace."
Eiravelle remained silent. She already knew where this was going. And she knew that whatever happened next had been planned long before she walked through those doors.
Vespera leaned forward, her eyes are gleaming with a cold light. "You see, Lady Eiravelle, we have all been here for a very long time. Some of us for decades, others for centuries. We have served the sovereign faithfully, have given her our loyalty, our devotion, and our very lives. And in return, we have been given a place in her palace, a place in her bed, and a place in her heart."
She paused, letting the words sink in. "But then you arrived. A young omega with a background who is certainly a disgrace and a misfortune, carrying the sovereign’s child, given the eastern wing, treated like a treasure. And we could not help but wonder... Why?"
Eiravelle met her gaze steadily. "I do not know why the sovereign chose me. That is a question you would have to ask her."
"We are asking you."
"And I am telling you that I do not know."
Another concubine spoke up, her voice was sharp and bitter. "You expect us to believe that? You expect us to believe that you did not scheme, did not plot, or did not do everything in your power to catch the sovereign’s eye?"
"I expect nothing from anyone either," Eiravelle said quietly. "I did not come here to be judged. I came here because you invited me, and I accepted out of politeness. If you have something to say to me, say it. But I will not sit here and be accused of things I did not do."
The room fell silent again. Some of the concubines looked taken aback, as if they had not expected her to speak up. Others looked angry, their eyes are narrowing with barely concealed fury.
Vespera smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "You have spirit. I will give you that. But spirit will not protect you in this place. The harem is not kind to those who stand out. It is not kind to those who are different. And you, Lady Eiravelle, are very different."
Eiravelle said nothing. She had heard enough. She stood up slowly, her hand was still resting on her stomach, and looked at the women who surrounded her. "I thank you for your hospitality. But I think it is time for me to leave."
She turned to go, but Vespera’s voice stopped her.
"Before you go, there is something you should know."
Eiravelle paused, her back to the room. "What is it?"
"Your position in the palace is not as secure as you think. The sovereign may have chosen you, may have given you the eastern wing, may have treated you with a kindness she has never shown any of us. But that does not mean you are safe. There are those who would see you fall, who would see that child you carry never take its first breath. And they are closer than you think."
Eiravelle turned back, her eyes turning wide. "Is that a threat?"
Vespera smiled. "It is a warning. Take it as you will."
Eiravelle stared at her for a long moment, her heart was pounding in her chest. Then she turned and walked out of the room, Saye hurried after her. She did not stop until she was outside the Middle Palace, until the cold air hit her face and she could breathe again.
Saye was trembling beside her. "Your Highness, are you alright?" Eiravelle nodded, though she was not sure if it was true. "I am fine. Let us go back."
They walked in silence, the weight of Vespera’s words hanging heavy in the air. Eiravelle kept her hand on her stomach, her mind was racing. She had known that the harem was dangerous, had known that there were those who would wish her harm.
But hearing it spoken aloud, hearing the threat in Vespera’s voice, made it real in a way it had not been before.
She thought of Qazaethel, of the sovereign’s promise to protect her. She thought of the child growing inside her, the innocent life that had done nothing to deserve the hatred of these women.
And she thought of Arielle, of her sister’s words on the swings. You’re not alone. We’re all here for you.
She was not alone. She had Qazaethel, she had Liv, she had Dawn, Ruthina and Arielle. And she would not let the harem break her. She would not let them do anything against her child.
The sun was warm on her face as they took the carriage back to the eastern wing, and Eiravelle felt a small spark of determination ignite in her chest.
She had faced worse than this. She had survived the Akhyas, had survived the loss of her family, had survived the loneliness and the fear and the uncertainty, and she would survive this too.
She would fight, protect her child, and she would make sure that Vespera and all the others who wished her harm would regret the day they crossed her.
The doors of the eastern wing opened before her, and she stepped inside, leaving the shadows of the Middle Palace behind.