Chapter 33: Chapter Thirty three: The Hunt.
Looking into Lady Su's eyes Onyx could outrightly know that her sorry excuse for an apology was a ploy if not why do it in front of the King. She was not going to make it easy on the woman. She wasn't the only one who could play games.
An excited glint appeared in her dark brown eyes.
" About what? Lady Su, " she did her best to sound confused and clueless like she had forgotten the whole incident. When that is far from the truth. She knew there will be games and scheming in the palace and the woman in front of her just shot her first shot damn if she was going to let that go.
Even though knowing that the apology coming from the woman's mouth wasn't sincere, Onyx still wondered at the change of heart. The last time the subject was spoken about, the King's Eunuch had been about to carry out an investigation.
Lady Su's jaw muscles tightened in annoyance at the young Queen for making her spell out the whole incident in front of the King, even though her sweet smile remained on her face.
" I am sorry that my child accused your servant wrongly, you know how children are, I am sure once you have your own you will understand " Lady Su tried a chuckle, trying to make light of what her daughter has done but Onyx wasn't having that.
What her daughter had done was not only wrong it was cruel, it couldn't have gotten her blonde killed and Onyx will be damned if she forgives that easily.
" But you just hurt her with your callous actions this morning, " her conscience tried to chirp in.
" Doesn't count, it is for her own good, " She snapped in her mind not liking a reminder of how she treated the blonde this morning. She hadn't meant to deal with the problem the way she had handled it, but it was for the best.
" I am not sure the blonde sees it that way, and neither do you, " her mind tried again, but Onyx quickly pushed the thought down to her mind for later and refocused on the woman in front of her. Her eyes hardened and her expression turned cold and blank as she opened her mouth to respond.
" I don't know how children are Lady Su, but all I do know is that your daughter's action doesn't really reflect a good behavior worthy of a princess. This is not the first time she is pulling this stunt, but I hope this is the last time. "
If looks could kill, Lady Su would have murdered the young Queen with her eyes.
" Are you saying that I am not raising my daughter well? " she demanded through a tight lip. How dare the girl make her out to be a bad mother in front of the King.
" I am sure you are doing your best, Lady Su, " Onyx smiled thinly at the woman, " but it is obvious is not enough. Your daughter is a spoilt brat and she needs a firm hand to norture her before she turns worse. I believe she will benefit from another raising her. "
Smoke started to rise from Lady Su's head, she looked ready to explode. Several subtle shallow breaths she was able to bring herself under control. No need reacting out of anger that will only prove the evil bitch right. She opened her mouth to tell the Queen where she could shove her suggestion to, that there was no way in hell she was letting another bring up her child but the King spoke before the words could come out of her mouth.
" Lady Su the Queen is right, you have allowed Sulang do as she pleases for so long, I believe it is high time the girl is taught some manners. I will arrange for a teacher to come in every day to teach her etiquettes and the appropriate behavior for a Princess, we wouldn't want Sulang turning out to be a spoilt brat, " the King winked at his beautiful young Queen.
" If that is what you want, Your Majesty, " Lady Su mumbled in a dull unhappy tone.
" I am glad you agree, " the King smiled at her and then turned to his Queen, a besotted look on his face.
" Shall we my Queen, " he reached out a elbow for her.
Onyx's lips stretched into a partial smile as she took the King's elbow and quickly disappeared when she was no longer the focus of his hungry gaze.
The two walked together to the seat that has been set up for them under a royal tent.
" I am going to kill her one day, " Lady Su growled darkly staring in her direction with so much hatred.
" My Lady! you can't say things like that here, are you trying to get yourself killed! " her lady in waiting gasped looking around the place to make sure no one heard her mistress. Luckily they were alone.
The slightly older woman was shocked at her mistress admission of such a sacrilege out loud. She knows of her Mistress feeling about the young Queen, and how the beautiful woman feels that the younger woman took what was supposed to be hers, and she understands her mistress aggravation but she has to be careful about letting her feelings out in the public, it might get into the wrong people's ears.
Lady Su had forgotten that she had an audience and had been so focused on how much the young Queen irritated the hell out of her but she was not taking her words back.
She started off toward the clearing in the center of the forest where the King and Queen just headed off too, her face heavy with dark cloud of her anger.
Once everyone has arrived, the King stood up and addressed the mini crowd, detailing out the reason for the hunt and how it came about. It was their kingdom's way of honoring the first King to ever rule the Waxiang kingdom. Hunting has been his favorite thing to do. He started the tradition and because of his immense contribution to their Kingdom winning their freedom from their Northern neighbors, the tradition was allowed to continue as a way of honoring him.
After the King was done with his speech, the young men that will be competing in the hunt rode out in their horses, and from how immaculately dressed they were you could tell that they were all from noble family.
There are about ten of them and among them Haitian, Minister Wang's son.
Among all the young men present he looked the most impressive, and the most handsome, he had this arrogant, cocky look on his face, like he is sure of coming out on top.
His cocky brown eyes went toward the Queen as they all turned to face the royal tent. He winked at the Queen, a cocky smirk on his lips.
While the rest of the young men bowed their heads and set out for the forest with their battalion of male servants, Haitian moved his horse forward toward the Queen.
" Your highness, may you bless my bow with your luck, " he said with a bow of his head while extending his bow to the Queen.
At his request the whole arena grew deadly silent. His request was one that is only made to one a young man has romantic feelings for.
Was the young man declaring his feelings for the Young Queen right there in front of the King? Has he lost his mind?
Everyone in the crowd was wondering that, and his father, Minister Wang looked like he has a huge bone stuck to his throat. His face was drained of all color. He was so certain that the King will have his son's head for his insult. The mad King has killed people for a lot less.
Onyx looked from the young man to the King to see his reaction to the pompous display of the young man. She wasn't slightly moved by what the young man has done and was slightly irritated by his action. And she isn't pleased with the way he looks at her.
The King did the unexpected. He threw back his head and laughed. " Smart move son, asking for luck from the Queen. I know her beauty pleases the gods and if she gives you her blessing you are sure to come back with a boar, " the King looked toward his Queen giving his permission.
The crowd released a huge sigh of relief knowing now that there will be no blood shed.
Onyx reluctantly stood to her feet and made her way to the young man, unhappy look on her face. She didn't like the cocky grin on the man's face that continued to spread as she got closer.
She leaned over to touch his bow, and gave him a frozen smile before tying his bow with her white handkie.
" Thank you, my Queen, I will cherish this with my life, " Haitian sniffing the handkie before departing from the Queen with a wink.
Few minutes into the hunt Onyx grew bored. She would have preferred to be hunting than sitting down here dwindling on her thumb.
She alternated her time with watching her blonde servant and observing the crowd. Especially the Ministers section. Just like in the court, here they are also divided into factions. Those that supports Minister Wang and those that supports her father.
" What do you think of Minister Wang? " The King asked.
Onyx surprised gaze flew to him. Shocked that he would want her opinion on something. That is not something that is common in their Kingdom. Women are hardly demanded of anything, just to push out babies. Something Onyx will change should the opportunity present itself.
" He is an ambitious man, she said looking in the direction of the Minister. But so is my father, " she said honestly, returning her gaze to the King.
Her honesty pleased the King so much that he roared back in laughter that got everyone's attention before he returned his gaze to his Queen, an impressed look in his eyes.
" You are right my Queen and that is one of the reasons I married you. I needed your father's influence to cancel out Minister Wang's influence in the court. "
" And here I thought it was for my beauty, " Onyx joked with a light smile.
Watching the Queen laugh and interact with the King brought pain to Salsa's heart, along with a dark feeling she has never felt before.
It angered her that she was hurting so badly while the Queen was acting as if nothing is wrong.
" Are you trying to kill her? " Sally's teasing voice jarred Salsa from her dark thoughts.
" Who? " she turned to frown at her fellow servant.
" The Queen, " Sally looked toward their mistress direction. She was laughing at something the King said. It pleased her seeing her mistress smile. Something she hasn't seen since they came to the palace, which brings her back to her question. She wondered why the blonde didn't look pleased when she looked at the Queen.
" No, " Salsa answered in a dull tone looking down her feet.
" Then why do you look angry with her. Did she do something to you? "
" She is probably upset that the Queen sent her packing, " Mei snarled with a mocking laughter at the blonde.
Salsa didn't respond and merely stared down at her feet.
" Come on Sal, you didn't really expect to stay with the Queen forever did you? You are her servant, " Sally groaned at the blonde kindly, wondering why the blonde even entertained the idea of staying with the Queen.
" Something she forgets a lot, " Mei sneered. " What! " she snapped when Sally turned to glare at her.
Salsa wasn't hurting because the Queen sent her away, she was hurting from the freezing attitude she gave her before sending her away. She had acted like what happened between them was nothing, and cast her out like she was thrash, but the other servants wouldn't understand so why bother explaining the reason behind her anger.
Salsa wasn't the only one not pleased with the good rapour going on between the Queen and the King.
From where she sat Lady Su, and few other Concubines were glaring at the young Queen, their gazes filled with jealousy. They all wanted to be in her position right now.
Minister Wang wasn't pleased also. If the King is besotted with his young Queen, offsetting her from her position wouldn't be easy, and if she gives him an heir, Minister Zhang power will know no bound.
He must do something before an heir comes into the midst.
Minister Wang stared at his daughter and the King with pride eyes.
" She makes a wonderful Queen, " the Minister beside him whispered looking at his daughter too.
Minister Zhang nodded with a huge grin that disappeared when he noticed how Minister Wang was looking at his daughter.
What is the evil old bastard plotting now, he growled in his mind, making a decision to put someone on the old man.
He wants to know every move he and everyone around him makes.
An hour later, a roar waved through the crowd as the hunters rode into the arena with their kill. The last to come in was Haitian dragging the boar he killed with his horse, a wide grin on his face.
His father caught a glimpse of his kill and a pride smile colored his lips. Killing a boar is a marking of a King. Maybe the gods are smiling down at his son and their plan is going to succeed.
The King stood and congratulated everyone on their efforts. He also bestowed a gift on Haitian for having the highest, a well crafted bow. After he was done he invited everyone back to the palace for a feast in the evening dismissing everyone few seconds later.
The King and the Queen returned to their carriage but before they climbed in a handsome young man with a mysterious looks appeared beside them, with a long sword hanging from his clothes, a dark broody look on his well chiseled face.
" My Queen I want you to meet someone, " the King said looking at the young man.
Onyx looked also, curious as to who the young man is.
" This is Lu Tiang, he is going to be your shadow from now on. "
Onyx looked questioningly at the King.
" I am not playing with your safety, Lu Tiang is here to keep you safe when the guards can't, " the King insisted and then dismissed the young man who immediately disappeared into the Shadows.
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