Whilst Eloise had always prided herself on her ability with words, on her capability in using them as weapons that cut as deep as a sword or caressed as warmly as a mother's touch, she could find no other word to describe her current situation other than ‘awkward’.

She would have liked to think that her first dinner with her husband to be was a joyful affair. Perhaps it could have been at a party, her friends and family surrounding her as she made light conversation. He would catch her off-guard with some witty remark that she had no choice but to rebut. She would have preferred to stay silent for her pride but the impulsiveness so often seen in her sister would jump out at such an occasion. In an ideal world, she would win the argument, but the part of her that thought of her future husband had always assumed that he would win, but take her aside to apologise later in the night. They would get along swimmingly after that. Their conversations about everything and nothing. She would be able to talk to him about the political stance of the southern nations as easily as she would the fruits he liked to eat.

Most of all though, the detail she had always just assumed would be a given, was that she had always been alone with him in those conversations.

The current dinner table that she sat at comprised of King Peter Octavius Westfold on one side, and on the other, sat she and Selene. The servants stood to the sides of the Marquee style tent, the King's attendant, Lucas, standing just a meter or so behind Peter.

Selene and Eloise were both clearly being treated in the lap of luxury, seeing as in the Wendolan Palace it was unlikely they would ever get to eat with their husband so intimately, but the two women still felt the atmosphere was awkward at best.

"Thank you, for your hospitality, Your Majesty," Selene stated as she ate the Wendolan dishes plainly. They were not quite as colourful or flavourful as the East's cuisine, but Eloise thought it unfair to judge a country's food from what they could serve on a battlefield.

"Of course," Peter stated, "As future Concubines of my Court, it is only fitting I treat my new brides in a way that fits their status. Please, let Lucas know if you have anything in particular you would like to request".

"I think this is more than sufficient, we could feed twenty people with the spread you have displayed here," Eloise stated. It was true, there was enough on the table between them that Eloise was positive that she would never finish it all.

Peter laughed, "Well of course, the chefs do a marvellous job of providing a variety of dishes to suit various tastes for the evening".

"Is the left-over food given to others to eat?" asked Selene.

Lucas huffed behind the King, "Forgive me for saying so, but apart from those the King deems worthy, nobody else should partake of the food meant for his table".

Selene frowned, "Then the food?"

"That which is not eaten is disposed of," said Lucas.

Selene turned to look at Eloise, as if cautious of how to proceed.

"You disapprove," Peter observed.

"Forgive us, your majesty, it just seems an abhorrent waste of perfectly edible food," Eloise replied.

"Then may I inquire as to how your people deal with the left-overs from their feasts?" asked Peter, "After all, while I can believe you don't eat like this every day, the same can't be said for large gatherings".

"Aye, it is true a great deal of food is prepared for such gatherings," Eloise nodded, "That which is not eaten is either stored if it can be, or given to those in the local community. While it is rare, if there are still scraps after that they are fed to the animals, both wild and domesticated. Food is a source of life, to waste such a gift is not acceptable in our beliefs".

"I see," Peter nodded, "You make a good point...Lucas, whatever is not eaten from this table shall be taken to the servants and squires".

Lucas seemed ready to protest, but swallowed it quickly before he turned and gave a light bow to his King, "Of course, my King".

There were a few moments of more awkwardness where the only sound between them was the cluttering of cutlery and polite chewing before Peter finally broke and spoke again.

"I do thank you for your willingness to comply with this term of the Accords," Peter stated, "I think we have already established that I know little of Eastern customs but I do understand that polygamy is not something your people practice and as such this must have been a difficult decision. May I know your reasons?"

Eloise and Selene looked to one another before Eloise spoke, "Whilst I'm sure you are aware that all Eastern children, regardless of gender, are trained in how to hunt and defend themselves, that does not mean we are all skilled in it nor that we are all skilled in these aspects. After I became an adult and had completed my training, I felt that with four older brothers and an older sister who all possessed warriors’ hearts, I had little chance of competing with them given my mediocre skills, at least by Eastern standards. So, I turned to the pursuit of knowledge to make myself useful for my family and my people. When Lady Saorise sent out the letter, my mother and sister were repulsed by the suggestion of polygamy, and whilst I had few positive thoughts on it myself, I understood the necessity for our people. If this sacrifice will allow my people to thrive under a new leader, I see no reason not to try".

Selene nodded, "I am perhaps more of a warrior that Eloise, but I too believe that I could be useful to my people by becoming a concubine of Your Majesty. Besides, Eloise made a fair argument this morning when we were asked to make a final decision".

"Oh?" asked Peter as he glanced at Eloise, "And what was this argument?"

"Well, forgive me for saying so your Majesty but the others all refused because you behaved like an arrogant and inconsiderate fool at the festival last night," Selene stated, "In fact, we all believed it to be the case, but Eloise did bring up the fact that your willingness to swallow your pride and learn from your mistake was a trait to be respected. I happened to agree with her".

"The only one to agree?" asked Peter.

"Oh no, there were others that agreed," Selene replied, "Just none that were willing to sacrifice a part of themselves to spend their lives trying to make a foreigner understand why they did not feel whole".

Peter sighed, "I see...though my understanding is basic, I am aware that your faith is important to you. I hope you will inform me should you feel you are missing something".

"So long as you do not deny us our faith, that you do not force upon us your practices when you know full well that we are not Wendolan by birth, we will find the strength within ourselves to not undermine you in your court," Selene replied.

Peter smirked, knowing that she was not joking but at the same time, finding the imagined reactions of his court to be quite something else, "I thank you for your consideration then".

The awkward silence of their dinner continued.