𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 // 𝙁𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙨𝙮 𝙃𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙢 𝙓 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

Cʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 7 {𝚙𝚞𝚙𝚙𝚢}

"Masaru. The Empress requests your attendance."

Masaru frowns at the guard who approached him. He hesitates for a moment before sighing. "Fine." He breathed out. He turned to you with narrow eyes. "Stay close."

You quickly nod and shuffle closer to him as the guards start to push you along.

After many moments of silence, you arrived at a large, heavily guarded gate that closed you away from a giant, beautiful structure with two side buildings that were just as luxurious. It was quite quiet here and it was clear that many people did not live here. After passing through the large gate, you entered the courtyard of these three buildings. They were built in beauty and meticulous detail.

The guards finally released the two of you and politely bow before returning towards the gate.

"Masaru... where are we?" You asked, making sure to stick close to him in this foreign territory.

"The palace. This is where the crown family lives." He spoke before pointing to the biggest structure. "That's where the Empress resides." He moves onto the structure on the left. "This is for the rest of the royal family." And he finally pointed to the last building. "Here is where the servants of the crown family live. Including me."

You were overwhelmed by the sudden push into the new environment. "The Empress called you here? Do you think you're in trouble?" You ask hesitantly.

Masaru just frowns. "I.. don't know." He just shakes his head before moving towards the largest building of the palace. "Mistress doesn't like to be kept waiting though, hurry up." Masaru adds, waving you along as you shuffle to catch up.

He opens the large metal doors, walking ahead. The inside was dark and was lit up with oil lamps set around the lobby. Luxurious items were scattered about.

"Follow me." Masaru said quietly as he padded forward into the next room. "This is the courtroom. It's probably where she is waiting." He explained as he pulled the thick red curtains to find Empress Kismet sipping tea whilst sitting on a zabuton (floor seat). In front of her was a small round table with a tea set on top. There were lanterns hung from the ceiling to light it up. There were two other zabutons on the other side of the table.

She knew I would be here.

You shuddered as Empress Kismet set down her teacup. That's when you noticed something peculiar. Her arms had tight fitting armored sleeves. Her hands looked like red dragon claws. Her eyes were very unique as well. There were multiple colors swirling in her piercing orbs. It was enchanting.

"Took you quite a while. Were you showing your pet around?" Kismet asked with lowered eyes.

Masaru didn't respond to her statement as he kneeled on the seat, resting for a moment before looking back at you. He gave you a look that said, "I suggest you sit down unless you want to be killed."

Let's just say it didn't take long for you to sit beside him. You kept your mouth shut as Masaru poured you a cup of tea.

Kismet just raised an eyebrow before picking up her teacup again. "Masaru. I have called you here because Aello told me that you left during the mission. Is this true?"

"Yes." Masaru responds, looking up at Kismet before look back down at his teacup.

Kismet looked down at him before sighing. "What am I going to do with you? I shall forgive you this time. Stay here for a while and get back on your feet." She spoke, sipping her tea.

The assassin boy just looked towards you.

"Yes, your pet may stay. You picked a cute puppy, Masaru." Kismet looked at him with devilish eyes. Her hand reached out to touch your face and you winced. You let her examine you, thinking it wasn't wise to resist.