The Feast (Part 3)

So it went this way. The guests started showing up at the main hall days before the feast day for the infant prince, but there was plenty of food, Good King Razz had made sure the farmers sent enough cattle to slaughter, the feasts serving as something sort of like a tax on them.

The Queen was upset with King Razzasbel because he had not sent a messenger to her father Lek to invite him personally. She had not seen him for several seasons and thought at least he would send someone, maybe even Lapa, who would have a decent place in the harem being a hard working woman. Queen Rhyeza was dismayed her father had not even responded to her last letter. She didn't suspect it had been intercepted along the way. It was easy to lose control of walls.

Neither did the Queen suspect someone was trying to kidnap the infant prince. His mother had taken to locking herself up in the room with him, and would not even let her husband Gress in. 

Good King Razz did not see why this would be a problem for the feast. Gress would be there, and the gifts for the infant prince. One baby was like any other if it came down to making a show of any of the specific celebrations.

But Gress complained, and his people, who had been slaughtering meat on the palace ground and taken their remit in the kitchen, wanted to see the infant boy, and the mother, who had kept their son Gress away, for themselves.

First King Razzasbel sent Crisa, who had been trying to convince the king to do something about the situation. But she didn't know what to tell the woman. She didn't know what was wrong. It was a miracle she hadn't kept herself secluded for years. Her sister, Crisa thought, was certainly a shut in. They were not made for the royal palace.

Crisa was useless with the mother of the infant prince, and even went up to see her with Gress. He wanted to bang on the door but Crisa was able to explain to him that this would only make the situation worse. Nevertheless, the princess would not come out.

As the revelers at the tables of the feast grew in number, and the calls continued for the infant prince Sudinnabo to be brought out with his mother for the appropriate celebration.

Good King Razz came to the idea to send his mother, Nita, and went to ask her. She simply nodded and left.

The feast was getting rowdier and the King felt the time was coming for his announcement when a commotion went through the hall. 

Gress' father had arrived, with a new bride, announcing the feast would be for this fortuitous occasion, where he had met this bride, who Queen Rhyeza immediately recognized as Lapa.