Two years after Elyas and Selene’s wedding—
Queen Mother’s Longevity Banquet preparations were in full swing.
Everyone wanted to do something special for the Queen Mother.
So did Elyas.
He thought hard about what gift he should give her.
Fine clothes.
Jewellery.
Food.
Yet everything seemed too plain and common to him.
He wanted to impress his Elene.
She should be proud of him.
Every time he tried to do something, it backfired on him.
Consort Leorin was always best at impressing Elene.
He received all her attention.
And now Elene had brought another consort into the harem—
Third Consort Cassian.
Cassian was nice to him.
He never humiliated Elyas in front of others.
Elyas had nothing against Cassian, but still, it annoyed him that despite being new in the harem, he received affection from his Elene.
This made him wonder—
Where was he lacking?
He dressed like a noble.
Wore expensive robes.
Expensive jewellery.
He had learned makeup.
All to appease his Elene.
Yet her affection now felt like an unattainable dream.
“Master, what are we getting for the Queen Mother?” Keiro asked.
“I have something in mind.
Get the carriage ready.
We will buy it now,” he ordered.
At the banquet in the evening
The Queen Mother’s Longevity Banquet illuminated the Imperial Palace beneath a sea of golden lanterns.
The grand banquet hall shimmered with crimson silk and bronze candlelight while musicians played soft melodies from zithers and flutes.
Fragrant incense drifted lazily through the air as nobles and ministers exchanged formal greetings beneath towering carved pillars decorated with autumn flowers.
At the elevated dais sat the Imperial family.
Queen Mother carried her usual dignified composure beneath a jeweled phoenix coronet while Empress Selene sat beside her in imperial crimson—distant and untouchable as ever.
Second Consort Leorin occupied a seat near the Empress, elegant in pale robes and surrounded by subtle admiration from nobles and servants alike.
Third Consort Cassian sat several seats away.
Unlike the restrained atmosphere surrounding the others, Cassian carried warmth and ease.
Though amused by palace drama, he held no hostility toward Noble Consort Elyas and occasionally exchanged friendly conversation with him during gatherings.
The remaining consorts and concubines sat according to rank, their jeweled robes rustling softly beneath the lantern glow.
Wine flowed.
Blessings were offered.
Performers danced gracefully at the center of the hall.
And among the gathered guests—
Elyas wanted to sit beside the Empress.
But that seat was taken by
Second Consort Leorin.
He had complained about this to Selene once, but she reprimanded him to behave like a Noble Consort and not focus on such matters.
So he swallowed his grievance and sat at the far end of the dais.
Noble Consort Elyas sat unusually excited.
Tonight, he had prepared a special gift for the Queen Mother.
A gift carefully chosen after receiving guidance from someone he trusted.
Unaware—
That before the night ended,
Everyone began greeting the Queen Mother and presenting their gifts to her.
She accepted each one warmly.
Some requested that she open their gifts immediately, while others preferred to keep them unopened.
Elyas eagerly waited for his turn.
Finally—
It was his turn.
By now, most guests had already presented their gifts, yet many still lingered to see Noble Consort Elyas’s offering.
He was known for unpredictability.
And unpredictability often entertained the court.
Elyas stepped forward with a bright smile.
The Queen Mother glanced at him.
Dark purple robes.
Heavy jewellery.
Equally loud makeup.
He was an eyesore.
“Greetings, Your Highness.
May your Longevity Day bring happiness and good health to you.
This is my gift.”
He handed over a delicately carved wooden box.
The Queen Mother accepted it hesitantly.
“Mother, please open it,” Elyas encouraged, visibly excited.
The Queen Mother nodded and slowly opened the box.
Heavy silence lingered in the air.
Then—
A collective gasp spread across the hall.
Inside lay—
A pair of jade cranes.
Elyas smiled brightly at the gift and looked around, waiting proudly for approval.
The Queen Mother’s face reddened.
Not with joy.
With shock.
Embarrassment.
Around the hall, expressions shifted.
Ministers lowered their gazes.
Some nobles exchanged uneasy looks.
Among nobles, paired cranes carried layered meaning—longevity and harmony, but when gifted to an elderly widowed woman, they could imply longing for companionship or remarriage.
Selene’s eyes turned cold.
Her fingers clenched tightly around her cup.
All ministers, royals, consorts, and concubines sat stunned.
“A crane pair?” the Queen Mother whispered.
“Elyas.” Selene’s voice rang sharply through the banquet hall.
Everyone stiffened.
“What do you mean by this?”
Elyas frowned.
“A gift,” he answered softly.
“Why would you humiliate the Queen Mother like this?” Selene’s voice grew colder.
“You are truly bold.”
“Humiliate?
I didn’t—I mean—”
Elyas stuttered, confused and suddenly frightened.
A crane pair had good meaning.
Right?
Selene stood.
The movement alone silenced what little whisper remained.
She stepped forward and seized his arm, pulling him toward her.
Her presence loomed over him.
The grip tightened.
“Elene—it hurts. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
Let go—”
Elyas winced, his eyes watering.
“Let go?” Selene’s voice thundered.
“You humiliate my mother and expect me to let you go?”
Her grip tightened further.
“Why did you give this to her?”
“Ah—Elene—I thought she would like it—”
Elyas held her wrist with his free hand.
His arm was growing numb.
“So this is what you think of the Queen Mother?” Selene hissed.
His eyes widened.
“N-no—I didn’t mean it like that—I tho—”
“Thought what?” she interrupted.
“That you could insult anyone you wished?”
“Not under my watch.”
Her voice carried disgust.
And fury.
“Listen to me, Elene.
Please let me explain.”
Desperation trembled through his voice.
“I did not choose this on my own—”
“No one in this kingdom dares humiliate the Queen Mother this way.”
Her voice cut through him.
“Only you possess such a filthy mind.”
Elyas flinched.
The words struck harder than her grip.
His heart pounded violently.
Tears escaped without permission.
“Stop this act now,” the Queen Mother finally spoke.
Her expression remained rigid.
She had never imagined someone would dare present such a gift to her publicly.
Elyas sobbed softly.
“Receive my decree.”
Selene released his arm and straightened.
The hall froze.
“Noble Consort Elyas has committed a shameless act by humiliating the Queen Mother.”
“This offense has tarnished the dignity of the Imperial Harem.”
“Noble Consort Elyas is hereby forbidden from bearing my heir and removed from the nightly duties of a consort.”
“He is forbidden from visiting me without permission.”
“He is forbidden from attending future palace banquets.”
“Until further decree.”
Dead silence followed.
No whispers.
No gossip.
Only suffocating silence.
One by one, guests dispersed.
No one dared remain.
“E-Elene…”
Elyas collapsed to the floor.
“Please don’t do this to me.”
His voice broke.
“Punish me another way—but please don’t make me stay away from you.”
“It’s Your Highness for you.”
Selene’s voice was ice.
She did not spare him a glance.
And left.
Keiro rushed forward.
Elyas clutched his servant’s shoulder and broke into helpless sobs.