Book 2: Chapter 5
There were only two of us at the long table. Her majesty didn’t permit anybody from entering other than those serving up food, probably to put me at ease. In other words, it was a meal with just the two of us present.
The awkward atmosphere was suffocating. It seemed like I was breathing in colloids as opposed to oxygen… Neither of us spoke and I noticed that the empress had her eyes trained on me the whole time which was really creepy… Her eyes didn’t show kindness. A better description would be that it seemed as though she had killing intent between her eyebrows from all the years of killing… And right now, those eyes were staring at me. Even a soldier would tremble at her gaze. I was worried she’d suddenly pull out a sabre and slice me up…
This isn’t the feast at Hong Gate is it…?*
I gave it my all to swallow the meat stew and looked at my now empty bowl. The stew tasted… Horrible… I came here from another dimension where I could eat boat-loads and you’re getting me to eat this weird as hell meat stew? It tastes terrible and was really salty. Lucky I finished it on my first bowl and don’t have to continue. Next I’ll eat…
BANG!
Her majesty suddenly slammed her hand on the table and stood up. I was so frightened I was ready to kneel down on the floor. I dropped my knife and fork on my plate which created a clunk sound. I looked at the empress who just suddenly stood up, clueless as to what she wanted. She stared right at me. She then aggressively and quickly reached her hand out towards me.
I shut my eyes.
Shit! My life is hanging in the balance!
The empress aggressively picked up my empty bowl in front of me and then pulled the pot on the table over with one hand. She then took a deep breath and wore an expression as if she were performing a religious ritual. She carefully picked up the stew spoon and filled my bowl up to the brim, and placed it before me. I looked at the stew before my eyes, jaw-dropped, as it swished around in the bowl gently. I then looked at her completely confused.