Second Consort Leorin is the most beloved confidant of the Empress and father of the Royal Heir.
His son, Prince Philip, is a three-year-old mischievous child, loved dearly by both the Empress and the Queen Mother.
Consort Leorin has a calm, composed, and kind aura, unlike someone residing in Moonveil Palace.
He had captured the Empress’s heart through his beauty, elegance, and intelligence.
The Empress had entrusted him with looking after her palace and harem.
Consort Leorin was in charge of maintaining palace infrastructure, including the people residing within it.
Everything moved within the palace with Consort Leorin’s permission, and nothing escaped his sharp eyes.
Not even the increase in budget allotted to Noble Consort Elyas.
The Empress increased the grocery and treasury allotment for Noble Consort?
Strange.
He thought.
Why did the Empress not mention this when we were together last night?
He wondered.
It must be a misunderstanding.
It must be.
So he corrected an error in the budget report.
He reduced the amount of groceries and money allocated to Moonveil Palace.
It’s just the two of them.
Why do they need this much budget?
Punishment is not supposed to be enjoyment.
Right?
At Moonveil Palace
Keiro and Elias checked the groceries and money received from the Royal Kitchen and Royal Treasury.
It was fifty percent less than what he had requested.
“This would not be enough for us.
This will last only fifteen days.
How much do we have with us now?” Elias asked Keiro.
He did not expect the Empress to back out on her words and send this little.
Even female rulers are no different
“We have one week’s stock,” Keiro said worriedly.
“Okay, good.
We can manage.
We had already planted vegetables, fruits, and a few spices in our garden last week.
By the time our stock finishes, we will be able to use our own vegetables.”
Last week, when Elias had returned from the Empress’s study, he had been very happy.
Keiro had already bought the different seeds Elias had asked for.
He had also ordered materials to stitch new clothes.
Elias felt enthusiastic to finally do something fruitful.
Then today happened.
The supplies received were disappointing, but he did not give up.
He decided to grow his own field for food and survive.
He would not beg one more time.
He would adjust with whatever had been allotted to him.
Keiro had bought repair tools from the market.
Elias planned his days around maintaining his palace, tending his field and fish pond, and stitching the new clothes he had planned.
His days and nights were packed with work.
In a blur, one month passed.
The seeds Elias had planted had grown now.
He felt satisfied with himself for achieving this within such a short span of time.
Keiro was amazed by his master’s skills and glad that, for the first time in many years, his master had focused on something other than Her Majesty.
He had not even mentioned her name once during this month.
Keiro checked the calendar.
Around this time each year, the Queen Mother’s longevity banquet was held.
It used to be a grand celebration.
He attended it every year without invitation.
Keiro used to feel sad for his master, but his master never appeared to give it much thought.
He prepared gifts and attended the banquet only to be humiliated.
Keiro could see how much his master suffered through the humiliation, yet he never said anything, as though it did not matter.
The next day, he would visit Her Majesty as if nothing had happened.
Here, in this abandoned palace, there was no whiff of celebration in the air.
No sound.
No bustle.
No servants preparing for the banquet.
Deadly quietness.
“What are you thinking?” his master asked, pulling him from his thoughts.
They were having dinner.
His master made sure they always ate together.
He did not like eating alone.
“Nothing, Master.
I was thinking about what gift you will prepare this time for the Queen Mother,” he asked absentmindedly.
“Why a gift?
What’s the occasion?” Elias asked, confused.
“You forgot?
The Queen Mother’s longevity day is in three days.
You always give her a gift at her banquet,” Keiro explained.
“Ohh, good.
Where is it?
Have we received an invitation?
I am not allowed to go out, remember?” Elias asked casually.
“Umm…
“Is that so?
Then why should we think about giving gifts if we are not going?” Elias brushed off Keiro’s worry.
“You used to go without an invitation and even brought gifts.
Are we not going this time?” Keiro asked slowly.
“No.
If I don’t have an invitation, then there is no point in going,” Elias said firmly while munching his food.
“So…
you are not worried that Her Majesty will get angry if you don’t go?
Or that you will miss an opportunity to meet her?” Keiro asked, surprised.
“No.
Why would I be?
If Her Majesty wanted me there, she would have invited me.
It’s clear she doesn’t, so why bother?” Elias said naturally, completely oblivious.
His master showed no sign of sadness.
In fact- he was eating as though this were a very small matter.
Keiro relaxed and smiled to himself.
On the evening of the banquet-
The Imperial Palace shone brilliantly beneath the evening sky.
Tonight was the Queen Mother’s Longevity Banquet-one of the grandest celebrations held within Elyndra each year.
The main banquet hall had been transformed into a sea of gold and crimson.
Hundreds of bronze lanterns hung from towering carved pillars wrapped in flowering silk ribbons.
Long curtains embroidered with phoenixes and silver clouds cascaded from the ceiling while fragrant incense drifted through the air in delicate waves.
At the center of the hall stood an elevated golden dais reserved for the Imperial family.
Behind it stretched a painted screen depicting the Goddess of Elyndra blessing the royal bloodline with prosperity and peace.
Musicians sat along one side of the hall, their gentle melodies from zithers and flutes blending with soft conversation and occasional laughter.
Rows of low banquet tables covered with embroidered silk filled the chamber.
Crystal wine cups.
Golden dishes.
Fresh fruits.
Honeyed pastries.
Roasted meats glazed with fragrant herbs.
Rare flowers floated inside shallow jade bowls filled with scented water.
Everything reflected-
Wealth.
Power.
Imperial prestige.
Nobles, ministers, and officials filled the hall dressed in their finest ceremonial robes.
The Imperial consorts and concubines had gathered early.
Silks rustled softly as they greeted one another with practiced smiles and carefully hidden rivalry.
Some wore layered robes embroidered with peonies and cranes, while others displayed jeweled hairpins so elaborate they resembled crowns.
Soft perfumes mingled in the air.
Yet beneath the elegance-
Competition lingered.
Because tonight the Empress herself would attend beside the Queen Mother.
At the highest seat sat the Queen Mother.
Her silver hair was arranged elegantly beneath a phoenix coronet decorated with pearls and white jade.
Deep violet robes embroidered with golden lotuses draped across her figure, carrying dignity earned through age and status.
Her expression remained composed as she received greetings and gifts from nobles.
Beside her sat Empress Selene.
She wore imperial crimson and black.
Unlike the lavish colors surrounding her, Selene’s robes carried a colder magnificence-dark crimson silk embroidered with golden dragons winding along the sleeves and hem.
Her crown rested firmly atop neatly arranged hair, while her posture alone carried enough authority to silence half the hall.
Untouchable.
Sharp.
Imperial.
To her right sat Princess Lynera.
As usual, Lynera appeared as though she attended the banquet for amusement rather than ceremony.
Dark violet robes clung elegantly to her tall frame while silver ornaments adorned her hair.
A playful smile rested permanently on her lips as she lazily swirled wine inside her cup while observing the hall like a spectator enjoying theatre.
Nearby sat Second Consort Leorin.
Unlike the louder nobles surrounding him, Leorin carried quiet elegance.
His robes were pale blue, layered with silver embroidery resembling flowing water.
Delicate ornaments decorated his long hair, and his refined features held calm confidence.
Beside him sat his young son-
Prince Philip.
The young prince wore miniature ceremonial robes matching his father’s color scheme.
Though still young, his bright eyes and careful posture reflected both noble upbringing and Leorin’s careful guidance.
From time to time, Philip leaned toward his father to whisper questions about the performances, earning gentle smiles from Leorin.
The sight resembled a peaceful family portrait.
Ministers noticed.
Servants noticed.
And so did Selene.
The banquet continued beautifully.
Dancers performed.
Wine flowed.
Blessings were offered to the Queen Mother.
Yet-
One seat remained empty.
Moonveil Palace.
The Noble Consort had not arrived.
Even though the banquet appeared perfect on the surface, most guests secretly anticipated the chaos that usually followed Noble Consort Elyas’s arrival.
They had grown accustomed to it.
The Queen Mother accepted gifts with graceful smiles while quietly anticipating whatever unusual offering Noble Consort Elyas might bring this year.
She had already prepared a punishment in advance should he present another absurd gift.
Her gaze drifted toward his empty seat.
Then toward the Empress.
Selene was occupied speaking with ministers, yet she instinctively sensed her mother’s stare.
She looked up, eyebrows raised.
The Queen Mother shook her head faintly, smiled, and glanced again toward Elyas’s empty seat.
Selene understood immediately.
But this time-
She intended to ensure Elyas learned his lesson properly.
She had lifted his punishment at Lynera’s request.
She would not be lenient again.
One hour passed.
Nothing happened.
Two hours passed.
Everything remained smooth and orderly.
Three hours passed-
Still-
Everything proceeded peacefully.
The consorts.
The concubines.
Even some ministers and guards remained unconsciously alert.
Waiting.
Some anticipated disaster.
Others anticipated entertainment.
A few were already planning how they might humiliate Elyas once he arrived.
Especially Second Consort Leorin.
He never missed opportunities to demonstrate who was better suited for the Noble Consort position-
And future Emperor beside the Empress.
At first-
Only a few noticed.
Then everyone sensed it.
Yet no one spoke his name openly.
After all-
Noble Consort Elyas had never missed an opportunity to appear before the Imperial family.
Especially not at a banquet attended by the Empress.
Then whispers began.
“Has Noble Consort Elyas not come?” Third Consort Cassian asked.
“He usually arrives first,” First Concubine Theron replied in surprise.
He loved gossip.
And tonight, his favorite source of gossip had yet to appear.
“Perhaps he is preparing something extravagant again?” Second Concubine Lucien said with a smirk.
He disliked both Elias and Leorin.
The murmurs spread subtly through the hall.
Even ministers exchanged curious glances.
Princess Lynera quietly sipped her wine.
Amused.
“Maybe he was not invited to the banquet,” Lynera said lazily.
The Queen Mother frowned.
“He is never invited and still comes,” Third Consort Cassian answered.
“Not possible.
He must have been invited,” Prince Aeryn, the Empress’s younger brother, said in surprise.
He had been silently observing everyone.
He found it difficult to believe that either the Empress-or whoever managed banquet arrangements-would neglect inviting Noble Consort Elyas.
Princess Lynera leaned forward and looked directly at her elder sister, who had remained silent throughout the conversation.
“Maybe he does not wish to come-despite an invitation…” she paused deliberately, “…or perhaps he was never invited at all.”
Silence.
No one continued.
Not beneath the Empress’s cold expression.
And somewhere beneath Selene’s calm exterior-
A small, familiar thought lingered quietly in the Empress’s mind-
Was this…
another trick to gain her attention?
Meanwhile-
Within the quiet walls of Moonveil Palace, Elias slept peacefully beneath soft lantern light-
Completely unaware that his silence had stirred more chaos than his presence ever did.
Author’s Note: Elias once arrived uninvited and became everyone’s headache.
Tonight, he stayed away…
and somehow created even greater chaos.
Funny how people only notice silence after growing used to noise.
Tell me your thoughts-did the banquet deserve its missing guest?
Your thoughts light up my universe!
Lune5verse-