The White King's Favorite

The two girls remained quiet for a little while, seriously shaken by that news. They had always seen their mothers trying to find more people from the Rain Tribe who had survived the slaughter three decades ago. Each time they had found one of the white-skinned women, or their mixed children, their mothers were seriously shaken, and thrilled. Both Tessa and Cessilia knew how much it meant to find people of that supposedly exterminated group.

"C-can you t-tell us more about th-those p-people? The Hashat T-tribe?" Asked Cessilia.

"Of course, my Lady," nodded Yamino, a bit surprised by their reactions. "Although, there isn't much. The Hashat was never a very powerful family, but they did get noticeable following the previous civil war. While a lot of our Kingdom was ravaged, their people became famous as miraculous healers..."

Cessilia felt her heart stop hearing this.

"Their medical knowledge was the most advanced in the lands," nodded Yassim. "Their tribe went from village to village to help heal the people, and thus, that's how they made a reputation for themselves. They never earned much for it, but their will to save even the poorest of our citizens got well-known throughout the land. It was known that the Hashat would heal even those who couldn't pay, as long as no one was hostile to them."

"Once the War ended, his Majesty rewarded them for their good actions. They were gifted a lot of money, and some lands that had been confiscated, although they decided to remain an itinerant tribe. I believe they have a couple houses in the Capital, but they never stay long. Only a handful stay to partake in the Nine Lords' meetings, but the Leader's heir and oldest son is usually travelling with the rest of their Tribe..."

"It is probably also for their safety," nodded Yassim. "A lot of people were upset that a nameless tribe suddenly got so much money and land from the King..."

"Well, for once your King sounds like he did a good thing," said Tessa, crossing her arms. "But that medical knowledge is something the Rain Tribe was known for. My guess is that the Hashat became so good because they took in some of our Rain Tribe's people."

"C-can we meet them?" Asked Cessilia.

"Of course, My Lady. Like I said, their Leader resides in the Capital. I can ask Counsellor Oroun to arrange a meeting with them; they are very kind people, only a bit secretive, for obvious reasons..."

Cessillia nodded with a little smile.

Yassim was always surprised at how polite, quiet and gentle the young Princess was. In fact, despite their very brief meeting he could see a lot of her mother in her. He could easily see why her cousin was so outspoken, in comparison, and always ready to jump to her defense. Despite her size, Cessilia seemed rather fragile on the inside...

"...Do you have other questions about the other families and tribes, my Ladies?" Asked Yassim, visibly a bit nervous.

"How will that competition go?" Asked Tessa. "I imagine it's not like there's going to be a sword fight or something?"

"Oh, no, my Lady. In fact, there won't be any open competition. It's only about inviting all the candidates, and his Majesty will choose one to be his wife."

"Nice, so we don't actually need to kill the others to win?" Asked Tessa, raising an eyebrow.

A bit shocked to hear a young woman say such a thing, Yamino glanced at Yassim, his mouth open. Did he just hear this? Yassim chuckled nervously. After all, Lady Tessa was also the War God's and the Empress' niece...

Thankfully, two of the triplets returned then, and they actually had already gathered everything Tessa had asked. They poured some tea for all four of them, and Tessa jumped on the meat buns. They hadn't eaten yet that morning, so the four of them gladly ate some breakfast, with the triplets happily serving them.

"...I want t-to visit the C-capital if p-possible," said Cessilia after a little while.

"Of course!" Said Yassim with a smile. "I'll personally walk you around this morning, my Lady. It's actually a market day, so it will be even more thriving than usual."

"Lady Cessilia," said Yamino, licking his fingers after his third meat bun. "I would like to introduce you to my niece, Neptuna, if you'd agree. That child grew up here in the Capital, she'll escort you as well if you'd like. I'm sure she will be able to show you the young people's favorite places."

"I'd love t-that," nodded Cessilia.

bit impatient to explore more of this Kingdom. In fact, she had never been the adventurous type, and her family had always watched her a bit more closely. She lived her life half-way between the Imperial Palace and her father's Castle, sometimes visiting her grandmother too. But she had only accompanied her brothers to the North Camp once, and she rarely went anywhere without her family too. She

a tour of the Castle?" Offered Yamino, patting his round belly. "This way we can go see my niece, and then you younglings should be off to the

rest of your, uh... Luggage, ladies?"

be back when he's

morning," smiled

awkwardly. He was a little bit worried as to where the large black dragon would set his

stretching. "I need to walk to digest all this. I'm

young woman's honesty, but she probably had very different standards, considering where she came from. Yassim

take care of your luggage if you want!" Quickly offered one of the triplets, running to

on it, a knife flew right by her fingers, missing them only by an inch. The piece of cutlery stabbed the wall next to her. Nupia froze and fell back in fear, her eyes wide. Her younger siblings, who were respectively holding the teapot and a full fruit plate, glanced at Tessa, both just

things, I'll cut your

Nupia, backing

stuck inside a wall, but also because Cessilia had barely reacted to this. In fact, her eyes had quickly gone to each of the triplets before she had taken her teacup to sip quietly, as

worry about, all the Castle's servants are trained since childhood to

not just servants,"

eyes were on the two younger triplets. It was as if her previously gentle gaze had turned into an emerald-colored stare. This time, Yassim could clearly see something of her father in

Nupia, bowing again and again; "We are

to f-fight?" Asked Cessilia, her eyes going

"Of course not!"

j-just

also seemed genuinely shocked, and the look of fear on their faces too... Still, the young woman was the

do you know, my

didn't flinch when T-Tessa sent that knife, neither d-did Lupia,"

would have very briefly lost the grip on the dishes they were holding. The knife had flown close to them and almost injured their older sister, so they should have been at least shocked. Some of that teacup held on the plate would have been spilled, and those grapes on top of the fruit bowl looked like they were just about to fall, yet still there. If she hadn't said anything, Yassim wouldn't even have noticed their lack of physical reaction, and been floored by their acting. They were both faking their surprise so perfectly, but Cessilia had been able to notice it. Not only that, but... she even could tell those two apart? Since they had left the room

down the old man's spine. There was definitely more to that young woman than meets the

triplets exchanged glances, and

and secretly watch

you?" Asked Tessa, who was playing with another knife already. "Don't you lie, I'll really cut

It's the

she was repeatedly bowing and hiding her face, Yassim had no idea how to tell if the triplets were telling the truth, but Tessa and Cessilia

t-told you to

voice. Tessa, too, frowned subtly. What was going on there... The triplets nodded quietly again, visibly still afraid of the

"...I see."

Cessilia said, and no one dared to ask anything else. Instead, as she slowly stood up, they all did, and she put back on a gentle

alright if we g-go now?" She asked

Nothing better than a

immediately said Tessa, glaring at