Steam coils up from the plates as the Noble Consort carefully packs lotus cakes and honey biscuits into two lacquered boxes, the warm aroma filling the room with a sweetness that lingers.
"Who would've thought Your Highness would still make the Prince's favourites after being so cold to him?" Attendant Nan teases, the others tittering behind her.
The Noble Consort shoots them a playful glare before closing the boxes and nestling them neatly into a woven basket. "I never said I stopped caring for my son," she quips, tying the basket with a firm knot.
Before she can pass it to anyone, Nalan swoops in and snatches up the basket. "I'll take it to His Highness!" she offers eagerly, clutching it as though it's her personal treasure.
Yetsune smiles to herself, knowing Nalan just wants an excuse to see Anakin.
"No," the Noble Consort says lightly, taking back the basket and extending it to Yetsune. "Yetsu will deliver this one."