His Queen

Shadows of the Empire's Secrets

Isabella's POV

"I just arrived today and there is already someone I need to deal with? Like seriously, a conference on my first day here?" the thought of having to deal with something which seems to be a problem almost ruined your day. If not only because of Tobirama looking so gorgeous beside you, you would have thrown a tantrum with that kind of arrival. "Where did you found this woman you're referring to?" you asked the guards walking in front of you leading the way to the palace' prison. The emperor and Lady Astrid walking beside you and Tobirama. 

"My lady, some of the empire citizens spotted her while she suspiciously flaunted some magic tricks and luring children into witchcraft," the guard replied.

You raised an eyebrow with the premature judgement the guards have made. "How can you tell if what she did was actually a witchcraft? Does anyone of you know how witchcraft work and how it was done? I mean, she must be telling the truth and that she just intentionally caught your attention to infiltrate the palace?"

The guards did not answered. The emperor threw you a gaze of amusement with your sharp analysis of the situation that lead all of you into meeting this woman they have captured. You sighed deeply, " It is not my intention to sound so mean and rude. I am just telling the guards to have a better analyzation of the things happening around the empire. I hope they are aware of some threats circling around not just here but all over the land under our watch. There have been multiple attacks lately, I just hope our men knows how to deal with this." You said apologetically while looking at your father and mother. 

"Certainly, we are sure that our palace guards and knights are well informed of those threats, dear. There are only few isolated cases where these terrorists were able to execute their plan, but I assure you, they are doing their best." The emperor's words did not convinced you. You felt your muscles tensed a bit, clenching your hands hard. Tobirama felt your stress so he grabbed your right arm and caressed it softly. You looked at him and you saw his face expression- telling you that everything will be alright. The door of the conference area opened, all of you entered the room and there you see a woman that looks like has a same age as yours. Her hair is of pigmented burgundy with white strands falling into different places. Your eyes met and you can say the expression on her face seem to be lightened with the sight of you. 'She does not even look dangerous to me, I can feel her aura is pleasant and welcoming,' you told to yourself. She instantly stood up when everyone appeared in the room. The emperor instructed her to sit as with everyone did. Few minutes passed, all of you are trying to measure the woman, although her attention was on you most of the time. 

"State your name," the emperor commanded. His eyes looking sharp at the woman.

"Your majesty, my name is Lyra Caelum. I came from the hidden village of Eldoria." the woman stated calmly.

"Eldoria? Isn't that the farthest and deepest forest of the empire? I thought people don't live there because of it's distance from the mainland?" you exclaimed, giving a questionable look at the woman.

"You are right, princess. The place is secluded from most of the places around the empire. We live there because we don't want to draw the enemy's attention," Lyra replied.

"Enemy's attention? Who are these enemies you're referring to?" another question you asked.

"The Dark Shadows Covenant, the group which is responsible for the killing of innocent women whom they assume the priestess around the empire. Our village and clan have been kept secret for decades since the Dark Shadow was defeated. We have been hidden since the death of the last priestess."

"The last priestess? What does it have to do with our daughter?" The emperor looked irritated with all the things he heard from the woman.

"Your majesty, I believe as the ruler of this land, you know something about what I have said and I know you are aware of the reason I have shown up to the palace," Lyra's words came out with conviction and blunder that made the emperor and Lady Astrid's face burn. Wondering about how this woman was able to make your parents look threatened like that, you began interrogating them.