"......and therefore we will send twelve men there, ready to shoot." She said and leaned her hands on the table. Kai's head turned to her immediately.
"No. You can't do this, you can't just kill my people." He said. Cinder looked at him and chuckled.
"Your people invaded my country. It is my duty to protect my people by sending there soldiers." She said while not breaking their eye contact. It all started a few days ago and she couldn't believe it came to this. Fifty earthens have broken into Artemisia three days ago. Cinder guessed they were only people banished by the Emperor, but they weren't. Miller has confirmed this morning that they were up to no good. She then called a meeting with the Emperor to set the record straight and had him come to her land instantly. He came and well, they were not getting closer to an agreement.
"I know, but it doesn't mean you can kill them." He argued and took a step closer to her desk. Although she was behind it, Miller raised his hand and stopped Kai from taking another step closer to the Queen. She nodded to Miller, he leaned his head down and stepped back.
"Here are my terms, Your Majesty," she said and got up from her chair, "if you open fire — I open fire, if you fight — I fight. I am not looking to kill your people, but if they want a fight, I will make sure they get one. However, if they will stay where they are and now it make a move against us, I will do nothing." She finished.
"Fine with me, but tell your men to stand down." He said.
She took a deep breath and said,
"As I said, I will not send them back, but they will not make a move until they have to. But they are staying there for the people's protection."
He sighed and sat in the chair placed behind him. He ran a hand through his hair and closed his eyes shut tight and opened them.
"Fine."
Cinder could hear the desperation in his voice but ignored it. He needed to know that these were her terms. Period.
"Good." She sat back in her chair. "I'm glad we could come to an agreement."
"This isn't an agreement. You shouldn't send your army to kill my people." He argued. She was done with this, she had bigger problems to deal with beside the Emperor's opinions on basic politics.
"Again, they are not there to kill your people, they are only there in case something happens." She said and rolled her eyes. "Now, can you please just accept this?"
The two doors to her office were opened by Windsor, one of the guards. He walked in and bowed to his Queen. She nodded her head.
"You asked for me, My Queen?" He asked her, maintaining his eye contact with her. Although she knew some of her people feared her, Cinder made sure that everyone would be able to look her in the eyes.
"Yes, I did, Windsor." She said and leaned her elbows on the desk. "Would you please escort the Emperor to his privet chamber we have arranged him?"
"Of course, Your Majesty." He said and went to take Kai's elbow. Kai move away from him and turned to Cinder.
"You can't just lock me up here, I will not walk straight into your trap." He said and stood up.
"I am not locking you up. You are here as my guest, Your Majesty, not my prisoner." She said. "So please, go with Windsor, let me show you a place you can rest in."
"I want to be kept undated about the situation out there. These are my people you are talking about and I will-"
"That's enough, Emperor." She raised her hand. "I will keep you updated, but remember that those people that you count as your own are the same idiots who started all of this."
