[Imperial Palace — Eshkaran Empire — Imperial Dining Hall]
The Imperial Dining Hall was nothing like Seyra had imagined; she had expected a long table. Perhaps some golden plates.
Maybe a few extremely serious-looking nobles sitting around and eating like they had forgotten food was supposed to be enjoyable. Instead, she found herself standing before a hall that looked as though an ancient god had personally designed it.
Tall sandstone columns surrounded the chamber, carved with celestial beasts and winding patterns of stars. Bronze lamps hung from chains above, their flames reflected across polished black stone. Long crimson banners embroidered with golden symbols descended from the vaulted ceiling, while an enormous table of dark carved wood stretched beneath the light.
At the far end of the hall stood a smaller table prepared for only three people.
Seyra stopped as her eyes widened.
Three people.
She slowly turned toward Vaerun, then toward Zayrakh and then back toward the table. Her little heart began beating faster.
Three people, just us. Papa. The villain. Me.
This wasn’t lunch; this was an operation.
Before she could begin planning the first stage of her matchmaking strategy, Zayrakh’s calm voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Take a seat."
The command was simple. Vaerun inclined his head and moved toward the table, and Seyra hurried after him. The two of them took their seats, Vaerun settling beside her while Zayrakh sat at the head of the table.
The moment they were seated, the imperial maids entered, and Seyra forgot how to breathe. One by one, the servants approached carrying enormous bronze platters, each covered with finely worked golden lids.
The first lid was lifted, and a wave of fragrant steam rose into the air.
Seyra’s eyes widened.
On the platter rested a magnificent honey-glazed lamb, roasted slowly until the outer layer had turned a deep bronze-gold. Its surface shimmered beneath the lamplight, covered with crushed dates, toasted sesame, pistachios, and fragrant herbs.
The second lid was removed.
A great bowl of saffron rice appeared, each grain loose and golden, scattered with roasted almonds, sweet raisins, pomegranate seeds, and thin curls of caramelized onion.
Another platter followed.
There were flatbreads baked against a clay oven wall, still warm, their edges brushed with clarified butter and sprinkled with sesame and black cumin.
Then came bowls of slow-cooked dates stuffed with spiced nuts, roasted figs dripping with honey, charred eggplant seasoned with herbs, and tender vegetables glazed with pomegranate syrup.
A servant placed down a large bronze bowl filled with thick yogurt whipped with cucumber, mint, and crushed herbs.
Then came the sweets.
Seyra’s pupils practically expanded.
There were little honey cakes shaped like crescent moons, sesame pastries filled with date paste, pistachio sweets dusted with powdered sugar, and tiny golden fritters dripping with honey.
And finally a servant approached carrying one enormous covered vessel.
Seyra leaned forward as the servant carefully lifted the lid.
A fragrant cloud escaped.
Inside was a magnificent royal spiced lamb and date stew, cooked for hours until the meat practically fell apart beneath the touch of a spoon. The rich sauce was dark with roasted dates, pomegranate, cinnamon, cumin, and ancient Eshkaran spices.
Seyra stared, her mouth slowly opened, her eyes sparkled, and her stomach made a sound.
Grrrrrrrlllllll...
The entire table went silent.
Vaerun slowly looked at her. Zayrakh’s amber eyes shifted toward her; one of the imperial maids lowered her head very quickly.
Seyra’s cheeks turned pink.
"...That wasn’t me."
Vaerun’s eyebrow lifted. "It was your stomach."
"No. Maybe it was the chair."
Zayrakh’s lips twitched. "The chair has a remarkable appetite."
Seyra looked at him, asking, "...Are you making fun of me, Malik?"
"Never."
His expression said otherwise. Seyra stared at the feast again, and she forgot about everything. The throne, the emperor, and her matchmaking mission.
This was food.
Imperial food.
Food that looked as though the gods themselves had personally complained about being hungry and ordered the royal kitchens to solve the problem. Seyra’s little hands slowly tightened around the edge of the table.
Her eyes shone with absolute devotion.
’This...this is why I was reincarnated.’
She looked at the enormous roast, and Zayrakn noticed her expression.
"You may eat."
The imperial servants immediately stepped forward.
Bronze platters were uncovered one after another, and the fragrance of roasted lamb, dates, herbs, saffron, and warm spices filled the dining hall. One servant carefully carved a portion of the roast and placed it before Seyra.
Seyra nearly cried.
The Empire may have problems, but at least they know how to feed people.
She reached for her spoon and across the table; however, Vaerun had already noticed something else.
Malik Zayrakh’s eyes were on him; their gazes met, and for a brief moment, neither man moved. The air between them seemed to tighten, and then Zayrakh calmly looked away.
Vaerun narrowed his silver eyes slightly before speaking. "You summoned me here with urgency. Seeing my daughter was evidently not the reason, Malik."
Zayrakh was silent for a heartbeat, then his expression turned serious. "No. It was not."
Vaerun set his hand beside his plate. "Then may I know why you summoned me?"
"The Azrath Desert has reported an unknown invasion."
Vaerun’s expression immediately hardened.
"An invasion?"
"An unknown beast." The amusement disappeared completely from the emperor’s face. "There have been more than twenty deaths."
Seyra slowly stopped chewing.
Twenty?
Vaerun’s brows drew together.
"Twenty deaths is not a number that can be dismissed as an accident. Why was I not informed sooner?"
"Because there was no report."
Zayrakh’s amber eyes darkened.
"For weeks, merchants who crossed the western routes simply vanished. Their caravans disappeared. Their bodies were never found. No family reported them missing because most were travelers from foreign lands until now."
The dining hall seemed quieter.
"A missing-person case was finally brought before the Imperial Court," Zayrakh continued. "The investigation led the Imperial Knights toward the Azrath Desert."
Vaerun listened without interruption.
"They found tracks of an unknown." Zayrakh’s voice lowered. "Too large to belong to any ordinary beast. The sand around the tracks had been disturbed, and the knights reported a foul, rotting stench throughout the area."
Varun’s gaze sharpened.
"Rot?"
"Yes, the beast appears to be hunting those who cross the desert." His voice became colder. "I want it ended before fear spreads through the western trade routes."
Vaerun nodded once. "Provide me with every report gathered by the Imperial Knights."
"Already prepared."
"I shall review them immediately and depart for the Azrath Desert."
Seyra’s spoon stopped halfway to her mouth as she looked from Vaerun to Zayrakh. Her tiny face slowly twisted with disbelief.
"Are you going monster hunting?"
Both men looked at her, and for a brief moment, the dining hall fell completely silent. Vaerun calmly picked up a spoonful of saffron rice.
"Yes." He held it toward her. "I will return as soon as possible once the beast is dealt with."
Seyra stared at the spoon and opened her mouth reluctantly. Vaerun fed her the rice as though discussing the weather. Malik Zayrakh watched them with an unreadable expression before speaking.
"Do not worry, little lady. Your father is the strongest pillar of Eshkaran." His amber eyes shifted toward Vaerun.
"House Veyrath commands the strongest elemental spirit of Veyra (Air). There are few monsters in this empire that could withstand your father’s power."
Seyra nodded slowly.
"Oh."
Vaerun gently patted the top of her head as his voice remained calm.
"This is the duty of an Azram and sooner than you think, you will carry that duty as well."
. . .
. . .
Silence, absolute silence.
Somewhere beyond the enormous bronze doors—
CAWW!
A raven cried from the palace roof as Seyra’s eyes widened and another cry echoed through the hall.
CAWW! CAWWW!
Her little face went completely blank and then—
"A MONSTER HUNTING?!" Her voice exploded across the dining hall. Several servants nearly dropped their dishes.
"WHY ME?!"
Vaerun blinked once.
"How can I go monster hunting?! I thought you loved me!" Vaerun remained perfectly calm. Seyra’s eyes became enormous with betrayal.
"But you’re pushing me down the cliff before I have even lifted a sword! Did you forget that I don’t even have an Aether Core?!"
. . .
. . .
Silence, a terrible silence.
Seyra froze as her mouth remained open. Her hand was still pressed against her chest, and sooner she lowered it.
...Oops.
Across the table, Zayrakh’s expression changed; his amber eyes widened slightly.
"You possess no Aether Core?"
She immediately slapped both hands over her mouth; her eyes darted toward Vaerun, and his expression was completely calm.
Zayrakh’s gaze remained fixed on Vaerun.
"How is that possible?"
Vaerun did not answer immediately, and the silence stretched between the two rulers like a drawn blade.
"Malik." Vaerun’s voice was quiet, but the warning within it was unmistakable. "I would prefer to keep this matter between you and me. My daughter possesses no Aether Core. I request that the words she foolishly spilled remain within these walls."
Seyra lowered her head.
’That is definitely the nicest way anyone has ever described me accidentally destroying my own secret.’
Zayrakh studied the little girl for several long moments; there was curiosity in his eyes now, and Seyra could feel it.
The emperor had noticed; he had realized that something about her did not fit the laws of Eshkaran, yet Zayrakh said nothing.
"As you wish, Azram."
Vaerun gave a slight nod, and then his gaze shifted toward Seyra; his expression remained perfectly composed.
"And... my dear daughter." Seyra’s shoulders immediately stiffened. "We will speak about this once we return to the mansion."
Her soul died a second time as Seyra slowly slumped into her chair, her spoon slipped from her fingers because apparently—the true monster...was Papa’s lecture waiting for her at home.
And somehow, that frightened her far more than anything lurking beneath the sands of Azrath.