Shangri La Pt. 1

80: Interrogation

"The Empress has heard many things about you, she would like it that I escort you to her and for her to speak to you. This is an urgent matter, one you are not allowed to speak about to anyone." the soldier answered. 

'Hm? I can't tell anyone about this after she sees me, but why? It must be a big secret if I can't speak about it.' 

"O-Okay, then lead the way."

As they approached the large doors to the building that was known as the Empress' chambers, Izumi still remained unsure as to what this was going to be all about. 

'I've been careful not to reveal myself to people, so what could this be that she specifically requested to speak to me?' 

"We're here." the soldier stated, before turning back to look at the disguised greenette. 

"Ah– M-Mn." she mumbled as she soon approached the grand wooden doors and then made a strong and noticeable knock on the doors. 

"Ahem– Your Imperial Majesty, it's me who serves the Great Pisces." she managed to say without choking on her own words from how nervous she felt. 

Soon, she heard a powerful, stern tone answer with; "Enter" on the other side of the door.

And so, Izumi pushed one of the doors open to enter the room and then quickly turned back to close the door behind her. This was her last chance to collect her breath and her thoughts before having to speak to such a royal. 

'Right, I can't falter with whatever she says.' she thought and then slowly turned her entire body around to look farther into the room and see the Empress sitting at a distance from where she stood. 

"Ah~ There you are. Come, have a seat with me." the Empress hummed. 

'No matter what, I can't let myself be revealed.' the greenette thought one last time before nodding to the Empress' request and tottering towards the royal and then sitting across from her as there was a table standing between them.

Just as she took her seat before the royal woman, she watched as the Empress gazed down at her like a hawk searching for its prey, and it felt quite daunting for the little greenette. 

"It seems even the Great Pisces needs you at such an early morning right as the festivities have conceded, hm?" 

"Ah– I-It isn't just the Great Pisces that I must deal with this early in the morning, as I know there are always chores to be done in the palace, Your Imperial Majesty." Izumi stated, trying to be cautious with her words. 

"Hm~ Is that so? Then how is the Great Pisces these days? I have no time to go and see her so I'm sure she gets quite lonely if you aren't there to serve her, yes?" the Empress spoke. 

Izumi knew this was a test, but she wasn't expecting for the Empress to bring up the Great Pisces so early in the conversation. 

"Ahem– She is doing just fine, as she's told me that she's heard there's been a lot of things happening outside of her shrine that brings joy to her ears."

"Is that true? Though it has been quite a while since she's left that shrine, I was certain she'd get lonely most of the time. Being trapped in a building that you aren't allowed to leave can leave someone to turn mad if they don't speak to other people after so long, don't you agree?" the Empress almost taunted, trying to see how the greenette would react. 

"No, Your Imperial Majesty, as the Great Pisces has told me more than once that she is used to being alone, but I still try to serve her to the best of my abilities to make sure she doesn't have that lonely feeling." Izumi answered, thinking that her answer was reasonable and understanding.