94 Tea and a Show Part 1

Mally smile and bowed, well aware of her friend's discomfort. She shot a distasteful look at the Tigress before greeting everyone. Kyera bowed as well, slow and elegantly. "Greetings to the Emperor, long may he reign. Greetings to the Empress Dowager, a beauty as ever. Greetings to the First Queen Kira." Kyera spoke to each in turn but careful in her greetings. Each showed a different amount of reverence. The Emperor nodded with a soft smile and waved to the chairs before him.

"Greetings to Lady Moon, and Beauty Mally. Please come join us for tea." He welcomed them both. The pair took their seats and thanked him graciously. The Empress dowager was watching the pair closely.

"You may call me Lady Kyera if you like, your Majesty. Thank you for the invitation. I found it a great honor to have tea with you, and with the lady Empress Dowager no less." Kyera acknowledged with a soft smile. The Dowager couldn't help but smile at Kyera's praise, particularly because she did not spare a second glance for the First Queen. The Emperor did not seem to notice, but his mother couldn't help but feel a certain kinship with the medicine woman.

"Of course, we are pleased to have you, Lady Kyera. I hear you did us a great service today." Queen Kira replied with a welcoming smile. Her words serving a dual purpose. One one hand to make the girl aware of her, but also to set her place at this table. Every inch of her screamed hostess as she tried to fill the Empress's role. Kyera smile and nodded at her kindly, as if gracing her with a glance.

"Thank you, My Lady Queen. I only did what any true healer should." Kyera replied humbly. A serving maid poured her a cup of tea and set in front of Kyera. "Thank you." she whispered the maid seemed lost for a moment. She nodded and bowed, scurrying away from the table. Mally held back a sigh. She should have warned Kyera about this… but it was second nature to pretend as though the maids did not exist now. The Emperor raised an eyebrow and the Queen scoffed slightly.

"You are very polite, aren't you dear girl?" The Empress Dowager smiled and proceeded to thank the servant who poured her own tea. She already had a good impression of the fair haired beauty before her. Realizing what she had done Kyera smiled and nodded at the Empress Dowager. If the old woman had not stepped in… she would have had a hard time passing that off with dignity.

"Manners make me human, whereas the lack of them makes me no better than a beast." Kyera reasoned, taking a slow sip of her tea. The Empress Dowager giggled softly, a soft sweet sound that caused the Emperor to grin as well. Neither noticed the look that Kyera shot at the tigress lying near the table.

"Yes, I met her in the village my last time in town. It was interesting really." Kyera began to explain the tale of meeting the Princess honestly, and without embellishment. She had no intention of trying to impress them, she just needed the distraction and the Empress Dowager seemed to enjoy it.

"Brave is a fantastic trait, my dear. Your mother must be swimming in men for you to marry." The Empress Dowager teased with a light hearted chuckle. What she didn't expect was for Kyera to look away.