Victory Procession

Salvia

It has started. Even from afar I could hear the people shouting, chanting and praising the homecoming of their battle warriors.

I have already expected that this will be a grand event, since even the preparations are extreme. The northwest, Esmori's tribe is truly the land of the strongest defenders, patriotic men of the whole Anderia.

All the people of Northwest are gathered in front of the palace's grand entrance, a platform was also stood on higher ground where I believe, the rulers will stay.

My palms are sweating, if Emerald isn't walking beside me I would have fainted since a while ago.

We were ushered by the palace guards to the platform. I and some beautifully dressed women were halted behind a curtain that hid us for the meantime from the crowd, while the battle warriors are making their way to the grand entrance.

"Grace and favor be unto you Great Zenith of Anderia" the palace guards greeted and I need not turn around for I could already feel that Primreyo is approaching the platform.

With our heads tilted low, all we can see is his dark cloak as he passed by.

"Are you all right Lady Reida? You haven't been saying anything since earlier" Emerald asked, her eyes held nothing but concern

"Ah, I'm fine. Don't worry, just feeling dizzy since we didn't get much sleep in the carriage last night" I assured her, while smiling

"Oh is that so, but Lady Reida you did sleep like a log to the point of snoring"

"I what!?" I whispered and watched how Emerald's lips formed a smile. She's trying to calm my nerves.

I was startled when the crowd started cheering louder, I could even feel the vibration of their voices from where I stood.

Looking at Primreyo who is now walking towards the center of the platform, I came to thinking how he looked like when he was still a fifteen year old boy who fought in the battlefield and went back to rule all these people.

Primreyo raised his sword and just like that the crowd went wild. Their patriotism and overflowing love for their ruler is frightening.

A man of omnipotence, as if he was born for this. That's what I could think of him.

His eyes roamed the crowd and for some unfortunate chance, he looked sideways and caught me off guard staring at him.

His brows furrowed and I immediately tore my gaze.

Just then, the three beautiful women in front of me walked to the platform. All of them had long wavy hair with the color of the darkest night, to say beautiful is an understatement, they're like reincarnation of the goddesses that the people of Anderia worships.

I watched as they properly and primly take their seat beside Primreyo.

"They are Great Zenith's wives" Emerald said as if she could read my mind

"Really? But why does he have so much, is he not content with one wife?" I asked, although I know that I'm nothing but a sacrificial concubine who's meant to keep the peace between the northwest and southeast.

"No. It is because it's a custom for a Great Zenith to keep four wives at most. All of them are granted special position in handling Great Zenith's affairs"

That caught my attention, in this land and in this lifetime women are given more opportunity.

In my past life, women of Yumina are kept like precious gems. They rarely do anything aside from attending to their duties as a wife and a mother.

"One of them works with peace relations to other lands, one attend to the visionaries to maintain balance between power and faith, and one is delegated to work with the advisors and monitor Primreyo's council" Emerald added

Looking at Primreyo's wives and how significant their existence right beside him, I came to realize that Reida is nothing but a display. Now I don't want to go to the platform and present myself.

How does Reida feel everytime she walks with them and present herself to the people of Anderia?

"Lady Reida you should also go now, your chair was already prepared on the left"

No matter how I look at it, everything is but a showcase of power. Primreyo seated on his grand throne, his wives seated on golden chairs on his right with palace guards standing beside them, while Reida is offered a wooden chair on the left.

As I walked towards the platform, the crowd went silent.

I tried hard not to look at them but my eyes are telling me to, so I did. I realized then that their silence isn't out of respect, it's out of loathe, fear and all hateful emotions combined.

How grave are your sins Reida that people would look at you like this?

How could you get your feet to walk and sit on that wooden chair that signify nothing but your sacrificial concubine title?

"Here Lady Reida" Emerald's face smiled at me. As if everything vanished and all I could grab on at that moment to calm my senses are her words.

I smiled at her "Thank you Emerald" I softly replied.

I'm glad that once I was seated, the crowd already went back to normal. Primreyo, his advisor, his guards, his wives...I'm relieved they didn't bat even a single glance at me.

The battle warriors arrived on time, they all arrived ragged yet still holding firm on their posture and appearance.

Wounded horses, men, healers...they all walked the ground with that pride in their faces while offering their respect to their Great Zenith. Primreyo too, held that same proudness in his face looking at his comrades.

Master Coyran, although he was the tribe ruler's son, he never felt like a higher ranking person when he's beside me. He always made me feel at par with him and he would speak to me at eye level.

I see now, that one thing Master Coyran didn't have is the innate strength to rule. That's why the tribesmen and tribeswomen rarely cower around his presence.

I smiled, remembering how clumsy and airhead my master sometimes. I missed him, I miss you Coyran.

Then I felt a shiver run through my body and realized Primreyo is looking at me again. His gray eyes seems getting colder and colder every time. What!?

My smile faded and I averted my eyes, focusing on the feast and celebration happening.

Palace maidservants entered the platform carrying a golden table and started serving us foods. They keep on bringing things I cannot name, nor have I ever seen before. I looked at Emerald who is standing beside me and she had that smile saying I'll be fine.

"Please excuse me for the meantime Lady Reida, I, along with guards will be staying behind the curtain. It is a common courtesy to leave to the palace maidservants the food serving and assistance" Emerald whispered.

"I see" I replied while my heart started thumping nervously because now, I feel completely alone. The palace maidservants tasted the food before offering it to us.

I caught a glimpse of Primreyo, he was softly looking at his wives who are offering him fruits. They were chatting lowly, discussing things I'm probably not allowed to hear.

But more importantly, I really want to eat now. I will leave some for Emerald as well, I wonder what she likes. Now that I think of it she rarely eat with me.

There are variety of foods, fruits and drinks. I can't decide what to choose. Although I want to taste everything but what do Reida like? What does she usually eat? I want to ask Emerald but she's standing far from me.

I pick the safest first, like fruits I'm familiar with.

The first one is a grape, as what I recalled. The flavor bursted in my tongue the moment I bit it, it isn't sour nor sweet. Just the right ripeness, enough to be blended in tea.

I should make grape tea with Emerald soon. I looked at her and she waved at me a little, even from afar her smile is reassuring me.

Someone coughed.

I knew it was Primreyo, but I dare not look at him nor at his wives, for all the foods in front of me are far more enticing.

I popped the grapes inside my mouth one by one.

"What to try next?" I whispered to myself

Oh what is this? It looks fluffy and soft...it's color white like the clouds.

It's rolled neatly and placed in a golden plate, it must be the delicacy here. I should give it a try, I better should.

Picking it up with my bare finger, I realized it was softer than I thought it would and cold damp...huh? never mind, I'll just have a taste.

It didn't take long when I spit it out

"Gaaah, wh...what is this bland tasting, unchewable food?" I spoke to myself but when I lifted my head, Primreyo and his wives are looking at me with evident shock and confusion in their faces.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Emerald rushingly striding towards me.

"Lady Reida...th...that's not a food"

"Huh?"

Emerald whispered something in my ears "It's a rolled damp napkin Lady Reida, used to wipe hands once you're finished eating"

My mind forgot how to process for quite some time.

"Oh, yes. Ha. Ha. A...napkin, you say. Ha. Ha. Ha. I knew it" I stuttered amidst the silence

I looked at Emerald, Primreyo, his wives then back to the napkin I freshly spit out.

Reida...I'm sorry, I made you an idiot in front of these people.

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