The Tiger Within 262 A Princely Rescue

"It would be my pleasure, Empress. There is so much going on they must be hard pressed." Kyera replied soothingly. Her tone was genuine and her eyes smiled. Empress Evelyn smiled feeling less self conscious as that girl's expression bathed her in warmth.

Kyera made her way toward the refreshment table where two staff stood waiting. She smiled and poured two cups of warm tea. It would be better for the Empress than the other intoxicating drinks on the table. Picking up both steaming cups she nodded at the servants. "Keep in mind the Empress can't move through this crowd. As long as I'm beside her it won't matter much, but later you may want to check on her." Kyera reminded the servant delicately. The young man's eyes widened for a moment with surprise then guilt.

"I didn't think about the chair. The Empress's condition is so new…" he tried to defend but Kyera frowned.

"I am not reprimanding you. This is just a heads up from a fellow servant." Kyera replied before turning to return to the Empress's side. However she found her way blocked by a woman she didn't recognize.

Her dress was ravishing, crimson and flowed around her perfect curves. Midnight black hair twirled into a rose like braid on the side of her neck. Piercing brown eyes were looking her over, smiling at her. "Is that for the Empress?" she demanded waving at the tea in her hands. Kyera raised an eyebrow at her.

"Yes, it is. Why does that concern you?" Kyera asked curiously. She could tell  behind the smiling polite mask, the woman was looking down on her. She reached for the tea and Kyera shifted so a dancer could go behind her. In the process she avoided the woman taking the tea.

"Give it here. You are merely a tutor what right do you have to serve the Lady Empress?" She demanded and Kyera looked vaguely puzzled for a moment.

"Oh, I see. Yet what right do you have, Miss?" Kyera replied her voice gentle though her eyes were proud and provocative. She was use to women like this, and wouldn't let her get her way so disrespectfully.

"I am the future Daughter in Law. Clovis and I were dear friends when we were younger, and Little Raina adores me. You had better mind your manners." she corrected and Kyera chuckled.

"A wise woman does not count their eggs before they hatch." Kyera warned her before moving to step around her. She had wasted enough time. Due to a dancer walking near and Kyera's attempt to miss tripping her,  she didn't notice the slighted woman as she slapped kyera's hands.

Scalding hot tea drenched Kyera's dress soaking through  and burning the soft flesh beneath. The distraction and shock rendering her unable to repress the cry of pain as she stood holding the two delicate cups,  trying not to drop them. Lazren, having been dancing nearby took the cups from her hands.

"one really should not take on more than one is skilled enough to handle." the girl smirked as she watched the skin visible above her neckline turn pink and tender from the burn. Kyera turned angry eyes on her but held her tongue. Lazren glared at the woman and set the cups aside taking a second to look her over.

"A Lady should help rather than taunt the one in pain. Especially when her skill is NOT why she was burned, Miss Ramira." a icy masculine voice spoke up from behind Kyera. She looked up to see a familiar face looking at her with concern.

"Second Prince Alexi." Lady curtsied low, showing off some impressive cleavage from that angle. Though this party was for Clovis, Alexi was also a eligible bachelor. It made sense that he would also be here, dressed from head to toe in black and emerald.

"Lady Kyera, are you alright? What am I saying, of course not. Come with me." he took Kyera's hand, seeing as the situation at hand was starting to gain a lot of attention. She allowed herself to be led away.