The wind of change had begun to stir, especially within the grand Etratis Royal Palace—The palace was vast and seemed boundless to the naked eye, a true nesting ground for the Royals.
Today, Altec, the dragon Monarch, was making his way to his palace courtyard when he got an enticing whiff corroding his nostrils.
Eh?
There were three maids ahead, running with neatly packed goods at hand.
Steward Hayden was by his side, and his hidden guards were also around. Seeing his Majesty's eyes fall on the girls far away, Steward Hayden spoke boldly, "Your Majesty, do you wish for me to call them over?"
Well, he too wanted to know what they were carrying that smelt so good. The smell was so poisonous that it made his belly secretly churn and his mouth water.
The hidden guards weren't better either. Seeing the direction the girls were running off to, Altec suddenly had a spark of ingenuity in his clever eyes.
"It seems they are heading off to Concubine Ava's Palace?… Well, this Monarch has not done well since the incident… As a father, and also as a husband, I should have taken more care in comforting my concubine, no?"
"-_-" Steward Hayden and the hidden guards suddenly felt his majesty was shameless.
Wasn't it you who said you didn't want to see Concubine Ava, wanting to give her space for grieving?
The matter of grieving space was just an excuse. You just don't want her to nag you about the matter, so you avoid her like a plague. And now… Heh.
First, you sent her son away and now you only come over to steal her food too?
Your Majesty…
Hayden and the hidden guards suddenly felt sad for Concubine Ava but dared not say anything.
"Your Majesty is wise. Concubine Ava will be thrilled by His Majesty's presence."
Hahahahahaha~
Altec lifted his feet in the direction of Ava's palace courtyard with a hearty laugh. "Yes, yes, my beloved Concubine must have missed me dearly. My presence will make her happier."
Like a dog following a scent, Altec boldly marched towards Ava's Palace courtyard, taking larger and larger steps without even knowing it. Perhaps his subconscious feared that by the time he arrived, the meal would be over.
…
"Your Majesty!"
Altec was welcomed as soon as his presence was known. The monarch rules the lands and the skies and even the rivers belong to him. So What more of this courtyard that was built within his royal palace?
Altec was taken aback to see Queen Lucinda and Concubine Pyla here too. "This is where my Queen and concubines like spending their days?… it seems I haven't seen my little women for so long, they have all become a lot more beautiful than overnight."
All three women rose to welcome Altec with true warmth in their eyes.
"Your Majesty, don't tease me so. Wasn't it yesterday you saw this concubine? How can I grow even more beautiful overnight?"
"Your Majesty, please, come and sit with us."
"Yes, your Majesty, come."
This was their husband. Although he sometimes annoyed them, it was true he treated them all well. All three of them were very close, and Altec liked to see his women happy with each other.
As they say, happiness breeds an even more happy environment. He could see the love pouring out their eyes when they looked at him.
Hey~…
Which man wouldn't like to be in his shoes surrounded by beauties who were all devoted to him? They all had their strengths and characters, that made them unique in their own way.
—Queen Lucinda was the woman he practically grew up with from infancy. She was also an intelligent woman who had been with him when he first took the throne. She had learned a few things along the way and could now see through matters far clearer than others, due to her experience back then.
—Concubine Pyla came from a scholar family, and could sometimes give her opinions on when he told her of some issues he was facing in the court.
—As for Concubine Ava, she wasn't as smart as the others, but she was indeed the kindest and the simplest at heart and mind. She didn't know the first thing about scheming. When you talk to her, it's like reading an open book.
Her fate was good, good enough for her to have good sisters like the Queen and Pyla in his Harem who helped her avoid some pitfalls others set for her.
She has indeed grown and learned her lesson over the years, but she still had that innocent spark, selfless nature, and kindness about her that Altec loved.
Altec grinned from ear to ear, taking his place cross-legged, on the luxuriously padded and cushioned futon on the ground. His women gathered around him, surrounding him with smiles.
"Queen, concubines… What is that smell? What is that which leaves my mouth in despair?"
The women giggled with their hands playfully covering their lips. "Your Majesty, did you come for the food or us?"
"This…" Altec laughed awkwardly, but would never admit it. "Nonsense! How can food replace my Queen and concubines? This Emperor was just wondering what you little women were up to and decided to stop by."
As Monarch, he is never wrong, so just take his word for it!
Steward Hayden secretly rolled his eyes when standing to the side. Your Majesty, you can fool everyone, but not him.
Lucinda's eyes turned crescent, waving her hands for the maids to bring the food over. The maids had been rushing from the kitchens earlier. The food was first sent for heating in the kitchens.
No… they did not empty the food into pots but kept them at a distance from the fire. Sometimes, pots change the taste of food, so when food is reheated, they use such methods.
The moment the meal was exposed, the string scent made even the hidden guards feel like steaming a piece.
Altec licked his lips in anticipation. "Queen… Concubines… what are these?"
"Your Majesty, those are Taco Bells, and that is KFC."
"Your Majesty, taste it!"
Altec quickly took a piece of KFC and then… his mind seems to have been transported to heaven.
"Bahahahahahah~….Good! Good! This is what true food is supposed to be like! Who did it? Who created this chicken stick?"
The more Altec ate, the more happy and amazed he was.
"No! No! This Taco Bell thing is also very good. Yes! I have decided. I must find the person behind this and reward them for creating such culinary masterpieces! Who is it?… Who did it?…"
"Your Majesty…"
"Yes, my Queen, do you know who did it?"
"Yes, your Majesty, we all do."
"Who is it then? Who is the great genius of our time that created such wonders?"
"Sixth Prince, Julius Bequillia."
"—"