Hunting

After a series of arguments, the maids finally managed to dress her in a casual blue gown. They had pleaded with her to wear something more regal, but she refused, making it difficult for them to persuade her. Ultimately, she decided on a gown, but not without altering it to her liking. Tessa, who disliked fitted and heavy clothes, made a slit in the gown and removed the sleeves.

The maids, fearful for their lives, couldn't oppose the consort's wishes and reluctantly withdrew their pleas.

When she reached the dining table, everyone except Elias was seated, with no food in front of them, which seemed odd. Were they possibly waiting for her? Though it was considerate, she was not appreciative.

If they wanted to make her feel special, sending her away with the red ruby crown would have been more meaningful.

"Looks like our king has found himself something nice," Andrew commented with a smirk as they all gazed at Tessa's gown.

"Oh my, did I keep a big family waiting?" She said in a mock-apologetic tone, covering her hands with her mouth to feign guilt, then went to stand beside Elias. 'Don't blame me for this, I do not belong here,' she thought to herself, wrapping her arm around Elias's neck, stunning everyone.

"It is fine, dear. We understand you must have been tired from last night," Veronica said, smiling warmly at Tessa, making her feel a pang of guilt. Poor thing, she only wanted her son to be happy, but fate was against her.

"Yes, it was very rough. My king is quite a man," Tessa said, rubbing his chest in an attempt to provoke him, but he remained unfazed.

"Oops, it has been so long since my brother received a sexy compliment," Andrew said, mischievously smiling at Elias.

"I wonder how you became a father,  you are still so childish," said a man Tessa had yet to meet, wiping imaginary stains from the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief, though he wasn't eating.

Tessa couldn't help but notice how handsome Veronica's sons were. She was fortunate to have such attractive children.

"Oh right, that is Elliot, my youngest son. He works outside the palace and rarely lives here, so you might not see him often," Veronica introduced, earning a dissatisfied look from Elliot.

"Nice to meet you, Elliot, or should I say brother-in-law?" Tessa said, acting cheeky, which amused Elliot. They were right, and she was a perfect match for their moody brother.

"Same to you, Tessa, or should I say sister-in-law?" Elliot replied with the same playful tone, and they both burst into laughter. Tessa was beginning to like their family and felt bad knowing she would soon leave.

"Why is everyone not eating?" She asked, unable to contain her curiosity.

"We have already eaten and decided to wait for both of you," Veronica responded, prompting a scoff from the little boy beside her.

Tessa was just noting the children and teenagers sitting amidst them. Was Elias' dead wife's child, among them? 

"Grandma, you forced us to wait for them. Can we leave now?" The frustrated little boy said and rolled his eyes at Veronica.

Shutting him up, she grabbed him around the neck and started laughing awkwardly.

"That's so nice, then I guess we shouldn't keep you waiting any longer." Glancing at Elias, Tessa felt stupid when she didn't get any reaction from him and forcefully dragged herself to sit. Just what could she do to irk him? Was this man completely devoid of a heart?

"Consort Tessa, would you like to join the other consorts in their monthly game hunt?" While she ate, Veronica asked.

Fortunately, everyone had begun to press their phones except Elias who was still moodily eating. Such a bad appetite for her.

"Game hunt? What is it about?" She repeated and asked.

"It is a game our old queens created to kill boredom. They can freely transform into their wolves and go hunting with the concubines and consorts." Veronica explained, causing Tessa to nod in understanding.

So basically, it was a game where they had to hunt or get hunted. Wow, such a nice name for untimely death, they were even more crazy than she thought.

"As you know that I am human, I possess no wolf for this great hunt. I would like to be exempted," refusing, she relayed that got Veronica disappointed even though she didn't show it and just smiled.

"The law stated that every woman of the king's, you don't need a wolf to hunt. Get yourself ready to hunt tomorrow," Elias, who hadn't uttered a single word since he entered the dining room, said, causing everyone to turn their attention away from the phone in anticipation of what was going to happen next.

"Why don't you just let me go instead of sending me to death?" Dramatically, she opined, acting hurt.

"You are a known thief, hunting a few wild animals can't be a problem for you?" He asked, his expression blank even though she knew he was intentionally getting on her nerves.

"Of course, why would it be a problem?" Forcefully grabbing her spoon, she responded and smiled. 

"It sounds like a problem to me," the little boy from earlier commented, and Veronica immediately signaled for everyone to leave the dining room.

"Now you want us to leave when they are arguing," Andrew said and sighed.

Confirming their departure, Tessa dropped the fake smile and turned to face Elias with a scornful look.

"I don't want to go hunting, why does it matter to you if I do?" Annoyed, she asked.

"The rest of the consorts are my women just like you, why do you get to be excused?" Dropping his spoon ever so gently, he said, maintaining the gaze between them. 

Clenching her fists, Tessa declared, "Look man, I don't care whatever your women do here. I was forced into this marriage but I won't allow you to force me to do things against my wish." And stood up. 

Walking up to the door, she halted when something came to her mind and said, "You are the one who has not been following the rules. A king that hasn't even graced his people with his presence in years." Then left the dining room.