Chapter 213: The Banquet
Lara’s right eyebrow lifted, a subtle arc of skepticism. "Isn’t the one hosting tonight’s banquet his wife?" she asked, her voice tinged with confusion. The customs of ancient royalty were no mystery to her—concubines were an accepted, if archaic, part of royal households. Still, she couldn’t fathom that a prince would be so shameless as to favor another woman in the presence of his wife openly.
Later, Lara realized how wrong she was.
"Concubine," Alaric said flatly.
"What?" Lara’s brow furrowed in bewilderment, her eyes wide with a mix of surprise and uncertainty.
"The one hosting the banquet tonight is not his wife, but his concubine," Alaric clarified, each word deliberate.
Lara glanced at Alaric, and he felt uncomfortable under her gaze.
"Isn’t she still his wife? I understand that the concubine’s status is low," Lara paused as if weighing her next words, "Is she not still bound to him as his wife?"
Alaric’s gaze flickered. Does she not understand the distinction between a wife and a concubine? Perhaps she didn’t. After all, during her coming of age, she had lived her life in quiet seclusion, shielded from courtly politics. Maybe it was her upbringing—or maybe it was because General Odin, her father, had only ever loved and married one woman: her mother.
Prince Alaric remained silent. What would she think if she learned that I have two concubines? Not that I slept with them. Will she hate me?