The maids glanced at each other, trembling with fear. All the maids looked at the Queen, anticipating that she would tackle the situation. An agitated queen glanced at the maids before averting her gaze at the emperor.
“Is it not to your taste?” Maeve asked, feeling like she was skating on thin ice. “Should I change the dish for you?”
“No need.” Alastair raised his hand, stopping the queen who was about to take away the bowl of soup. “Who made this?” He asked again.
The maids were too scared to utter a word. Trembling like an autumn leaf, they took a step back. A pin-drop silence prevailed in the hall, which irked the emperor.
“I asked something.” Alastair's cold, emotionless voice echoed again. “Do I have to repeat myself?” The intensity of his voice, which increased towards the en
