VANESSA





I stood in front of my mirror, adjusting my gloves and smoothing out my dress.

This was another part of being a concubine that I detested a lot. One had to wear all the sophisticated dresses instead of the simple outfits that I had gotten used to wearing, and it was annoying.






The corset strapped to my skin as its main aim was to squeeze the life out of me, but those were the rules. We had to dress like royalty.




Royalty to my foot.




I already knew that the tea party invitation from my fellow concubines was not an innocent gesture, but it would be the day I would get to know if the concubine that warned me was a friend or an enemy.




"Vanessa, don't be foolish," I told myself, my mind racing with doubts. "You know the risks. Why are you doing this? You don't have to go if you know that they want to poison you."




"I have to," I responded, my voice firm. "I need to know what they want from me. And I won't let them intimidate me."




"But what if it is a trap?" my mind argued. "What if you can't escape?"




"I would find a way," I assured myself. "I always did."




It was a battle between me and my intuition, but once I set my mind on something, I would definitely accomplish it, so to this tea party, I'm going.




I inhaled deeply before walking out of my room, with my heart beating faster in my chest.




As I walked to the tea party, my mind continued to battle with itself.




"You are walking into danger, Vanessa. You can turn back now."




The debate raged on till I got to the grand dining, where the tea party was being held and, quite unusually, some smiled, while some waved at me as I entered.




"Okay, so today to celebrate a very special newcomer and also apologize for the way we all have treated her since she became a concubine, the tea party won't be held here inside the palace." The eldest concubine spoke up and I squirted my eyes.




What are you up to now?




"Since we have all agreed to let her enjoy a party held in her honor, we also want her to have the best view. So, so we will be hosting this tea party in the garden. Yes. That is it. I'm sure you heard me clearly. The pious garden." Everyone gave applause. I should have said that, but I just smiled as I didn't want them to know that I already knew about their mysterious plans.




"With that being said, let us all go to the garden."




I entered the lavish garden, surrounded by the other concubines, all of us dressed in our finest attire.




The sun cast a warm glow over the gathering, and the delicate steaming teapots added to the serene ambiance.




"Vanessa, do join us," one of the concubines said, gesturing to an empty seat, and I smiled as I took the seat, though I was very aware of my surroundings.




I caught a glimpse of the concubine that had ratted the others out, and she smiled a bit before breaking eye contact.




As I sat down, the other concubines began to serve the tea, their movements graceful and precise. I watched with a calculated calmness, my senses on high alert.




"Vanessa, would you like sugar or honey in your tea?" one of them asked, her voice sweet as poison.




Forgive me for using the word poison, but then all of them look like poison. The smiles, their acts and everything.



" I prefer my tea plain." I forced a smile just like they were doing, and I couldn't understand how they could feign it so easily.




"Very well, dear."




I raised the cup to my lips, my eyes locked on the concubine who had served me. I pretended as if I was taking a sip, even though it barely touched my lips.

I did it in such a way that no one could suspect that I wasn't drinking the tea.




It would be so lovely on their faces when they find out that I am alive by tomorrow.




I let out a pleasurable sigh and I saw them smile somehow, holding on together as they murmured something into each other's ears. How stupid of them to think that they could just get rid of me like that.



"Isn't the tea lovely, Vanessa?" she asked, her voice dripping with sweetness, and I placed my hand on my chest, closing my eyes for a moment before looking back at the concubine.




I nodded, my face a mask of serenity. "Of course, it is."




Then gently, but unnoticed, I shaked my hand, allowing a little content of the cup to pour into the saucepan before me, to make it look as if I had actually drank the tea.




The other concubines chatted and laughed, none knew I was wiser. They thought I had taken a sip, just like they had.




After what felt like an eternity, the tea party finally came to a close. I rose from my seat, my movements graceful and deliberate.




"Thank you for the lovely gathering," I said, my voice dripping with sincerity.




"Are you leaving already, Vanessa? Come on, stay a little longer. The party was held on your jonor after all." They pressed and I stared back apologetically.




"I am so sorry, but I have to go. I would have loved to stay, but I'm feeling a little dizzy." I yawned, and I saw the triumphant smile that crossed their lips.




"Dizzy? Well then let's not waste your time any longer, you can go and have your beautiful sleep and tomorrow we can continue our celebration. After all, as concubines we have all day to celebrate each other."




I smelled and bid each one of them farewell before going back to my chambers. I entered my chambers, my eyes scanning the room for any signs of danger. Then I quietly locked the door, my heart still racing from the close call.




I had outsmarted them this time, but I knew the game was far from over.