It was obvious from the moment you sat in your designated seat that the other Concubines were openly ignoring you, hushed giggles and scornful glances directed towards you, most of which incited by Empress Cleo, and her loyal do- The Second Concubine, Yui. The Reynian kingdom clearly had customs that differed from your own, in your home country, not even the Empress could get away with such blatant attempts at harrassment.
You'd decided to simply enjoy the lavish banquet prepared for your entrance into the Harem specifically, it almost made you laugh how the other Concubines were disrespecting you at your own welcome-party-adjacent. Empress Cleo was beautiful, no doubt, with her elegantly styled golden-blonde hair, her sharp, blue eyes, and pale skin, as was every other woman, which made you wonder if the rumors about Emperor Xeros neglecting all of them was false.
Your thoughts were interrupted by even more harassment. Empress Cleo had the gall to have the other Concubines restrain your arms, and use the very same brush you'd given her as a 'present', to scribble across your chest. All of this overseen by the Second Concubine of course, the dress you'd been given now ripped and exposing the majority of your upper body. But you were not a weak and submissive Reynian noblewoman, so you quickly retaliated, breaking free of their hold and ripping the Second Concubine's fancy dress to do the same to her, but before things could escalate, a deep voice cut through the chaos.
"Are all concubine gatherings this embarrassing...?" The Emperor's unamused voice startled the group of women. "Would anyone care to explain why there is ink, and strips of fabric strewn across the Empress-Mother's garden?" He asks, looking directly at a shaking Empress Cleo. "This was meant to be a welcome banquet... Why is the fourteenth concubine currently in this state?" He asks, completely ignoring the Second Concubine's indignation at being ignored.