Ghruz could barely breathe. They picked at the bodice they were forced to wear. A dress of such opulence, only the queen’s attire could rival it. The orc made no attempts to hide their distaste for it, growly and muttering under their breath constantly while the seamstress worked with a speed that Ghruz could hardly comprehend. Thankfully, the woman never spoke, and left in a hurry.

Once the sun had set, there was a knock at the door. Silviana had come to retrieve the orc with a blank, emotionless stare.

“You almost look acceptable, for—” The orc’s glare was enough to make her stop, before continuing. “For an orc. Come, it will not do to keep our lady waiting.” Silviana spun around on her heel, walking off at a fast pace. These acts of aggression were actually beginning to calm Ghruz. This was much more like their old village than the backstabbing and vile words that they were getting used to from the elves.

Ghruz picked up pace, barely managing to walk in the heels they were given, the dress constricting their movements as they walked. “These garments are impractical. How does anyone expect to fight in these?” The orc murmured under their breath. Silviana apparently heard this and clicked her tongue, but said nothing.

Distracted by the amount of noise their shoes made, Ghruz barely managed to stop themselves from walking into Silviana’s back as the pair arrived at a pair of massive doors. The attendant snapped her fingers, and the doors glowed a dull blue, slowly swinging open. Before them lay a large table, covered in colourful fruits that seemed completely alien.

The queen sat at the head of the table, a wide grin forming on her face. “Welcome, my guest. I must say you look absolutely ravishing in that dress. I hope my attire is to your tastes?”

“These dresses restrict breathing. But, you are like a shiny gem, which I guess is nice to look at.” The orc stated bluntly. Silviana offered a mortified look, roughly grabbing Ghruz’s wrist and dragging them to the other end of the table.

“Do not speak to our queen like that again, or I will personally see to your execution.” Her voice was dripping with venom.

Ghruz sat down, and looked up at the elf with a devilish grin, “Is that a challenge? On my honour as an orc, I will accept.” The pair glared at each other for a moment, before the queen’s voice cut through the tension.

“Silviana, I didn’t know you were queen. If this is the case, perhaps you should take my seat, as you are making promises that only a queen would.”

The room was silent, all of the colour had drained from the attendant’s face as she turned to the queen and bowed. “M-my queen, I apologise for my insubordination. I will see if dinner is prepared.” Titania glared at her with a fury more intense than Ghruz had ever seen. The orc sat back, terrified at what this queen could be capable of. She looked over to Ghruz and smiled warmly.

“I apologise. Elves live long and take much time to learn.” She stared intently at the orc with her silver eyes, a slight glow present in her irises. Ghruz felt a shiver down their spine. Despite being so intimidated by this authoritative figure, they couldn’t help but stare. Titania cracked a grin, leaning back into her chair.

“I do appreciate the honesty,” she continued. “It gets tiring when all around you are sycophants. Do I look as radiant as a jewel to you?” Ghruz went red, casting their gaze to the side.

“Mhm,” they grunted.

With her prosthetic, Titania delicately picked up the glass set in front of her, filled with a deep red dewy liquid. Gruz roughly picked up the drink in front of them, giving it a sniff, before chugging the lot in one go.

The queen burst out into laughter. “You are meant to sip at it my dear; have you never had Lotus Dew before?”

Ghruz cocked an eyebrow in confusion. “No. We only drink water. Anything else poisons the mind.”

“But you drank without prompting,” the queen smirked.

“I didn’t want to be rude.”

The queen grinned. “I like you! I wish my attendant would show as much manners. Speaking of which, here comes our meal.” Servants poured in from a nearby door, placing down platters of food all over the table. One placing a large hock of meat in front of the orc. The smell was intoxicating to the orc, they could almost taste the air around it. Ghruz looked up at the queen expectantly.

“I had a deer freshly hunted as an apology for you losing your prey. Please, eat at your own luxury, I will spare no expense to make you comfortable.” The queen gave attention to her own dish in front of her, an alien-looking dish like a bejewelled white square.

The orc picked the hock of meat up and eagerly tore into it with their tusks, feasting on it for a moment before pulling away and looking at it with confusion. The queen looked up and tilted her head.

“Is it not to your liking? I can have more made if it is not acceptable.”

Ghruz shook their head. “No. It just tastes strange, and it feels like my tongue is on fire. It’s good though. I didn’t know food could feel this good to eat.”

The queen frowned for a moment, before she glared with a blaze that would make the underworld seem frozen in comparison. With a snap of her finger, a servant rushed to her.

“Send for my personal attendant and a physician. Ghruz, do not eat any more. Someone has poisoned you.”