Page 85 of The War God’s Favorite

Her cold voice had the old woman and maids bow even lower. Her glare was still directed at Shareen and Kairen though.

“So? Nothing to say to your mother, after ignoring her for two years?”

“Where is the egg?” asked Kairen coldly.

His mother crossed her arms.

“That’s it, Son of mine? Nothing else to say? You even went ahead and had the guts to get a concubine without my consent. You weren’t so daring before. And you, Shareen? How many times have you ignored me?”

“I would see you more often if you came to the Palace, dear Mother,” sighed the Princess.

“How impudent. I am the parent. I gave birth to both of you, shouldn’t you show some respect and at least visit me, instead of having me go all the way there?”

“Father misses you,” added Shareen with a smirk.

Her mother’s grey eyes got even darker.

“See if I care about that old man!”

Cassandra was almost hiding behind Kairen, impressed by their fiery mother. This woman had such a temper! No one in this country would dare to say a bad word about the Emperor, yet she was throwing a fit so openly. Kairen and Shareen seemed used to it though, as neither of them reacted.

The Imperial Concubine took a deep breath, then her eyes fell on Cassandra.

“Is that her? Your young concubine they mentioned?”

Cassandra had no idea how to react. Who was “they”? She slowly stepped forward, seeing as no one was stopping her. Kairen was still close though, thus she felt a bit more confident. His mother wasn’t too satisfied though.

“Come here, child. Let me see you from up close.”

The Imperial Concubine’s tone didn’t leave Cassandra with much of a choice. Seeing how her Prince didn’t react, the young Concubine walked closer to his mother, wondering what was expected of her.

“Let’s see.”

As soon as she was close enough, Concubine Kareen stood up to face her, and Cassandra realized how tall the woman really was. She looked a lot like her children too, with her tanned skin, straight nose, and angular jaw.

“She is too thin. Even for a slave. And your skin is very white. Are you from the south, child?”

“Yes, Imperial Concubine,” said Cassandra, bowing slightly.

“Do not bow so low! You are an Imperial Concubine. Hold your rank. You look like anyone could trample all over you.”

Cassandra blushed and straightened her back. The Imperial Concubine slowly walked around her, scrutinizing everything for what seemed like hours.

“These hips are so narrow. And you need to eat more. But, at least you’re pretty.”

Concubine Kareen let out a sigh and turned to her son.

“So? What is your excuse for not introducing her to your mother sooner, Kairen?”

But the Prince remained silent, only walking up to Cassandra to put an arm around her. His mother pursed her lips as she turned to Shareen.

“What about you, Daughter? Do you think I don’t know how you behave in the Palace?”

Shareen stayed silent like a child caught misbehaving, crossing her arms and looking everywhere else but at her mother.

“Mother. The egg.”

Kairen’s cold voice got his mother’s attention. She turned to him with her hands on her hips.

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