Chapter Fifty-Two: Boundaries.
1681 Words
The morning was not as busy as I had envisioned. After spending nearly eighteen hours on the long-overdue paperwork, I had surprisingly fewer tasks to do today, which meant that it was a perfect day to mark out at least one of the visitation requests, Virginia’s.
I accepted her request because I hoped that she would tag along with her brother. Hopefully, his response was more concrete than, ‘I want to be in power, but I don’t want to do something unpleasant in order to obtain the power I want.’ For goodness sake, he was terrible at bargains. But I guess that is a characteristic of a Tyrant.
A knock drew my attention from the aimless and unrhythmic tap of my finger against the desk.
“Come in.”
I had not even noticed that I had zoned out while writing a letter.
Hilda peered into the room first before fully entering. She spun in her position to show off the full extent of her short black dress and white heels with a bashful smile. Though she sported a few bruises on her legs, their fresh pink flush was easily covered by the pure white stockings she wore. Other than the cast on Hilda’s hand, nothing on her life or personality was revealed by her outfit.
“The- the cast is in the way, is it not?” she blushed.
“No, I think you look rather charming,” I replied.
“T-thank you, your majesty.” Hilda said, then her hands began fidgeting with each other as though she was unused to wearing ‘sexy’ clothes.
“Do you need a coat?” I asked as I dipped my glass pen in the black ink.
“N-no, I mean, yes, however, you have already granted me too much.”
“It is not much,” I responded. “Check inside my wardrobe if there are any coats that fit your costume. I assure you that I will not miss whichever you procure.”
“T-thank you! However, I must not ask much from the Empress. Please, this is already enough.”
“Gods but humility really is the murderer of desire, isn’t it?”
I finally finished the letter, stamped, folded, then sealed it in a white envelope using the ruby-crimson Imperial seal.
Again, Hilda’s lips moved as though she wished to say something, and then again, words failed her.
“What is it, Hilda? Are you worried that I have not rewarded you yet?”
“No, never, your majesty.” She responded a little too quickly for my suspicions to grow further.
“Okay, then speak of what is bothering you honestly; you have my favour. Plus, we still have a few moments alone until Katelyn finishes dressing up.”
“It, it is about Inger James, the physician, your majesty. I…” she began, “Truthfully, when I was being sought out by bandits, he rescued me. Thus I did not sustain as many injuries as I should have, but he had not healed from his and…and what I am saying is that he is in a very critical state right now,”
“Only the saints and saintesses in the temple can heal him; however, the temple will not even let him in without a referral. I truly was waiting for my rewards so that I could request for a referral; however, day by day, he peers closer to his grave.”
Why is death such a terrible thing? Am I the only one who feels constantly exhausted?
“Hmm…is that why you are not in the mood for a fashion show?”
“Y-yes, that is why.”
The temple will no doubt accept a referral from me. However, they were more like brokers than priests. A debt for a debt, a favour for a favour, that was their motto. That is why they worked based on referrals.
For a favour, I was hoping to owe them only once for a secret marriage with Aleu. The only catch would be that I would have to either act foolishly before them or blackmail them. Blackmailing would cause them to double their assassination attempts, while the earlier public execution would not work favourably towards my playing the jester.
“I thought the owner of the pub was looking after him?”
“Yes, but a few days ago, he left.”
I stilled.
“Henderson left? To where?”
“Akonia, he said something about needing answers.” She replied.
Answers? Answeres for what?
Is he seeking out Tea and Sofia?
“So, Everest is left in charge?”
“Yes, and N..no, the group branched into two. Some were given personal missions while others were to follow Everest’s command.”
Aleu’s mana was grander than Henderson's. After all, he was the ‘chosen one’. However, while he was hiding his talent, Henderson was blossoming his; therefore, there is no possible way they could fight at par this early in our relationship, no matter how much of a genius he may boast.
Ah, s**t! I hope he is not picking a fight.
Still, when has that i***t ever heeded my words?
“I see,” I responded, then raked my hair, mussing my perfectly set curls, “Have you taken him to the wizard tower?”
“Yes, but I have been informed that the grand wizard has been exiled for being disloyal to your command and taking the western maids side.”
“Right, right, that..hmm,”
“Inger has already seen four physicians, who have all but asked me to choose the colour of his casket.”
“The Grandmaster has a vice, his successor, Vincrest, I believe?”
“He dismissed all my requests because he was working or…or he simply did not see them…” her voice trembled.
If she cried, she would ruin her makeup and then they would be late to the show in my place.
-This…this is becoming a pain in the ass.-
I can heal him; that will be easier, then I guess that I could punish Vincrest for negligence. However, his master was also like that. Plus, that signum stems from primordial magic, and none but dragons and vampires can teach that, well, could. Most of those who could teach that, like Rona, Tea’s mother, had been erased. In any case, if he did manage to dig up the signum, he could prove very useful to me, so I should perhaps let him run wild.
Still, I thought that Henderson was on top of things.
“Where is Inger now? Is he still at the pub, or have you moved him?”
“He had collected some debt, so him being in the pub caused tense reactions in the gangs as soon as Henderson left. So, I…I, um, suggested he be moved to the abandoned guest rooms.” She said, “ I...I know that I should have asked for your permission beforehand, but-,”
“It is fine.”
There was a soft knock on the door, signifying that our time had ended.
“I will take care of Inger. I am certain that by the time you arrive tomorrow afternoon or evening, he will be well. As for your rewards, I have not forgotten, so fear not.”
I stood from my chair then handed Hilda the envelope.
“You may enter.”
A few seconds later, Katelyn, dressed in similar monochrome colours only rather than a short dress she sported a long and clingy black gown with white gloves and pearls on her neck.
She looked beautiful, her plain-jane demeanour instantly morphing into a sexy goddess. The standard air of innocence around her shifted entirely by the costume.
“Wow, okay, you may keep the clothes and jewellery as a reward for this errand.”
“Oh….oh, thank you,” Katelyn said as she bowed stiffly.
Okay, so perhaps only her outward appearance had shifted.
“Right, okay. My instructions,” I began, “If you leave in an hour with two of the knights that I appointed for you, you should arrive at the amphitheatre by six or seven. The event should be starting around that time, I believe. Hilda, present the note to Duchess Fiosal then follow her instructions. If she asks that you join them, please pay attention to their conversation as you will relay it to me truthfully.”
“If she gets you a separated booth, Hilda, keep my seal close. I want both of you to enjoy the night at all costs, so if you do not feel like dealing with the discrimination, despite having my seal, as most ladies in attendance are nobles, have the knights escort you wherever you wish to go. Also note, that as the theme for the show is ladies only, only one knight, Sir Jelly Kion, will be able to accompany you inside the amphitheatre.”
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Aleu Diox Luciano
“Okay,” Virginia sighed, obviously nervous that this was her first personal meeting with the Empress since her recovery and evident personality change, “when the Empress arrives, be courteous and do not mention Calvin. He may have more achievements. However, he might cause trouble in the long run.”
“Yes.” He answered in the similar bland manner he had grown oddly accustomed to.
“Why am I even telling you this.” She muttered to herself.
They were both in the imperial parlour room, whose dominant theme was green and huntsman as the carpets and most curtains were the colour of thick cypress. Still, the decorations that lined the walls mainly displayed craftsmanship made from beasts of all nature, though he could not help but notice a great deal of them were preditors.
If that was a coded message, he had no idea.
- Writer
