See Someone Particular in Person

"The lesser countries really depend on higher leaders…" Rodnir whispered as he watched the outer court members garden downstairs. He then sighed as he looked at Fenris, who was leaning on his balcony's railings. "As for the tower… what are we going to do with them? They could freely see you."

"Don't you think I am aware of that?" Fenris chuckled as he watched the hardworking court members. "Just continue monitoring the new ones. I have a feeling that the inner court will notice them soon enough, especially those two renovating the garden."

Rodnir scoffed and leaned on the railing as well. "I have to say, Fenris. You have picked up fascinating ones, but their countries are well too far from our lines. How are we supposed to deliver their share without a hitch? I already told you not to go too far."

The king only laughed and turned to the other one. "As much as I know, I gave everything back to you now. I only decide on which is which. You think of a solution yourself."

"Do you hate me now? The queen candidate rumors must have infuriated you. I will apologize about that some other time. We have more things to deal with." Rodnir waved a dismissive hand as if he were not talking to the king. He then picked up a clipboard from the table, trying not to knock the bottles of wine next to it. "Bourbonia is getting on my nerves, too. What do you want to do about it?"

"Put them in their rightful place. You started this problem without consulting me." Fenris chuckled as he turned back to the gardening concubines. He even noticed how some males missed how women swoon over them as they displayed their strengths and flawless physiques. Perhaps, only two males didn't think of ripping their clothes open as they worked.

Rodnir glanced at the concubines and scoffed at the show. He then walked off to get someone to stop them from getting inappropriate. However, Fenris only continued watching. He didn't care about the males who shed their tops or the women who feigned swooning to get away from work. His glistening red eyes were only stuck to that one soft-looking prince who helped the kitchen with peeling crops.

His hands were even moving as if peeling potatoes with them. After all, he joined Kanaru in those cooking lessons with the chef. Who cared if his fingers got endless cuts from watching Kanaru more than the knife in his hands?

"…I want to hear his voice again," Fenris murmured, only for Rodnir to walk in on his stomach growling. The king froze at the matter before Rodnir frowned at him. Fenris just sighed. "Get someone to bring me a bowl of whatever they are making. It's making me hungry."

"Should I get Natucha… or do you want to see someone else in person?"

…

The outer court worked hard on the garden. Natucha would say that even if the aching bodies mostly belonged to the males. Even Kanaru worked after he helped in preparing the soup ingredients. What they made was somewhat close to what the chef knight prepared, after all.

That was why the males were the most disheveled when something incredible happened. The doors to the garden opened, and Natucha saw how the three highest concubines of the inner court walked in. The whispers gave the newbies a few names.

A maiden drew all of their gazes, both envious and admiring. Her hair was lush and blue like the bright sky in the remnant artworks of old. Even her eyes were like the color of ice and snow. She also had a full bosom and bottom, a total package for all women to envy. Moreover, her voice was divine, along with her dancing skills. This maiden was no other than Sierra Bourbonia, the dubbed queen candidate.

Next to her was another of the most popular inner court members. With black hair that cascaded like the night, Melaka walked in her black ensemble. However, her complexion was as white as the walls of the palace. Even her eyes didn't lose a shade of darkness.

"What a foul smell! Do they call that food?" The third one scoffed at the stench of the faraway dead plants. Even if the aroma of the food was stronger, she still pointed it out. Then again, she made it sound like the soup made her nose revolt instead.

"Be kind, Ushka. His Majesty doesn't take insulting others lightly." That was what Melaka said, but she just didn't want to hear Ushka's voice. After all, this Ushka was a terror among the outer court members.

Ushka was just a concubine in the inner court, but she used to be the leader of the outer court. Most women adhered to her wishes as she had power and influence over the inner court and soldiers, said she. Not that even the king paid attention to her actions as if she was free to do evil. 

With Natucha standing up, however, Fenris transferred all the authority to her. Right now, Ushka was nothing more than a big bully that most women still feared in the outer court.

"I wonder how awful he punished Rodnir, then." Ushka only scoffed at the other court member—only to glare at the blue-haired maiden. She hated how Sierra got to walk in the middle of the three of them as if they were her servants instead. No matter, as long as she was the one carrying the food.

Sierra pushed a small trolley with her as she walked. With a smile, she approached the makeshift kitchen. "Greetings, Natucha. You seem to be cooking something delicious. His Majesty can smell it from his chamber. He would like to have some."

The girls around the cauldron were shocked. Well, the soup was nothing special, yet they were willing to serve it to the king? No, no, that shouldn't be allowed! That was what Natucha thought as well.

"Sierra, hehehe, let's be sensible here…" Natucha laughed nervously, gripping the sides of her dark skirt as if cleaning her hands that way. "This soup… it's only good for the hungry and tired. Look, we didn't do anything fancy to it."

"Don't worry about it. His Majesty has already been bought over. Can anyone stop him at this point?" Sierra laughed before gesturing to the trolley with four covered bowls. "If you can spare four portions for us, that will be very nice. Oh, I can taste it here if you like."

"You should have readied another bowl for our spit." Ushka huffed and stared at the others. The males were only looking in their direction because of Sierra's image. Tch, what was so good about this girl who couldn't even wear the nicest shoes because her feet stayed as hooves? They were all blind.

Natucha only glanced at Ushka before noticing Kanaru in the distance. She then cleared her throat and beckoned at the bird prince. "Kanaru! This is your recipe! Come here for a bit!"