𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘥'ê𝘵𝘳𝘦

.˚ ₍ 001 ₎┊ 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐫.

She's beautiful.

Oh, God she's beautiful.

Your heart thumps against your chest as a blooming blush dusts your cheeks. Suddenly, the days when you'd dread meeting her had dissipated into useless days as she turns to stare at you with a cold look. You try to mimic the stranger in her eyes, but the shine of admiration betrays the mystic look you wanted.

"This is who father appointed as the Royal Family's mercenary and guard?" Latille turns to the servant beside you instead of asking you directly. You don't mind though. You'd do the same if your father had suddenly appointed someone to be the Royal Mercenary and then just so happens to die just days later.

"Your Majesty, The Emperor." You bow, one hand on your chest and the other resting behind your back. "Your father had entrusted your safety to me, so I shall serve and protect you with my life." Your words are carefully chosen, each syllable pronounced with certainty.

"Then my life I will put into your arms." She suddenly grins, the cold in her eyes melting into a warm and friendly look.

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After the short introduction, you were dismissed and she had allowed you to rest. Though you insisted on doing other wise, she still continued to insist back, saying that the rest would be well deserved given the fact that you'd just returned from a long journey.

So, now you were sitting at the edge of your bed, head tiled and eyes staring holes through the ceiling. You wondered what you'd do now. What kind of orders her Majesty would give. With the man you respected and looked up to for years gone, you had no idea of what you wanted to pursue and do. He'd always been the one to give you goals to achieve and challenges to face.

Sighing, you allow yourself to relax and fall on the bed. "What to do…" you whisper to yourself, ignoring the buzz and chatter outside of your balcony door.

"Her Majesty the Emperor has arrived!"

You flinched upon the announcement, immediately jumping from your bed as a knock resonates from behind the door.

'I have no tea or snacks to give the Emperor..' eyes flicking around your room, searching for any kind of decent food to present, you're far too late when Latille steps into your room, a serious look in her face. She walks over to the table by the balcony and takes a seat on the couch, motioning for you to sit across from her. You follow what she commands, stiffly sitting yourself on the cushioned char.

"Evidence was found that Thula has been working with another Empire in his attempt for the throne." she's straight to the point, a hint of frustration within her voice as her sentence ends straight with a sigh.

Your nod, fists curling and nails digging into the palm of your hand. You could've never suspected that bastard to be working with another empire out of all things. "Which Empire was he working with?" your question comes out calmly, but the glint in your eyes tell her you're on the verge of making an Empire collapse on their knees.

"We're still in the process of figuring that out, but the neighboring Empires are unlikely to be working with that pinkie. They supported me in the fight for the throne and Karisen sent a consort as a sign of friendship."

You nod, putting a hand to your chin, "He most likely used the Imperial seal. Could've gotten it from your father while he had the Palace on the palm of his hand."

She nods, confirming your guess as you groan, "This would be hard to solve. We have no idea whatever deal he made with whoever. And with Thula's head decaying somewhere, the deal would still be in effect. Shall I look into this matter, Your Majesty?"