The Magic Behind Her Eyes

Chapter 19: My Name is not a Fish

Guards stood by the castle gates as a tall figure of a woman in a long, black dress approached them. A scarf over her head and a white mask over her face. She walked in heels, a loud noise against the stone, cracked as she walked on them. Holding a cat by her side, that looked around with unbothered eyes. 

The guards opened up the doors at her entrance, soon followed by whispers and murmurs. A little girl, almost half her size, followed her. Her face barely unnoticed with burns on her skin.

"She's here."

"Who is?"

"The woman with no face."

"Who's that?"

"You don't know?"

"I wonder who she killed this time."

Silence.

She walked past the gates, welcomed by a few more guards and was led inside.

"Victor, we have a guest."

Seven made a little bow to the king and wouldn't dare meet his gaze. King Victor, sat in a hall, staring at the cup he held in his hand. He ignored Seven for a few seconds as he munched on his food, before he finally looked up.

"Let her in."

"But you didn't ask who it was."

"I know who it is," He grabbed a napkin and wiped his lips as he got up from his chair, "So you're finally here."

Immediately, the doors opened with a large sound against the floor. She bowed like the rest of the guards, her facial expression unnoticed, but her arms and posture radiated confidence and had an aura of such calmness. In complete contrast to some of the guards whose legs were shaking as they were ordered to leave the room.

He smiled.

Seven stared at the woman with curious eyes as Victor walked towards her with an almost grin. He had never seen the King to be so welcoming or as accommodating towards anyone before.

"You didn't tell me you were coming, or I would have prepared a banquet."

"There is no need for that, your Highness," she shook her head and made her way to sit in one of the chairs in the dining table. Victor opened a chair for her and held her hand to sit her next to him. His eyes gleamed. 

One would wonder why the King would be so affectionate towards this strange woman, or if he was simply being polite. None of which seemed likely and this didn't puzzle anyone more than Seven, who quietly observed the peculiar encounter.

"I hope you had a pleasant journey."

"I have, thank you. I just wanted to check on you, see how things are going with the library."

"We have made immense progress because of you."

"I have brought some books and my slave girl with me, it was due to her talent that they could have been translated from Ancient Azelic."

"You are much talented yourself," with hints of flattery in his voice, to which the woman merely nodded.

Seven poured them both a drink, red drops of liquid splashed into their cups.

"So Gloria," Victor's eyes darkened, "What else brings you here?"

Seven's hands started shaking and the cup nearly spilled from his fingers, leaving a little trail of liquid that flowed down the white tablecloth and down the woman's dress. The King glared at him, but she calmed him down before the situation escalated any further.

"It is alright, no harm done," she wiped her dress with another napkin, "Actually your Highness, you know I am a straightforward person. I did have a favour to ask."