To Make Him The Emperor

/4/ Strangest Intruder

The least bit is clear. To sum it up -

Someone's going to destroy this empire. And my family will be destroyed in the midst of it as well.

Although the meditation didn't do much, I did have a better view of what I had seen before in the dream.

I pace back and forth in my chamber, pondering over what I have received so far. I am dubious about what my next steps should be.

Should I tell Father about this? Isnian too? Of course, they can help.

Back when my power had started to develop, I would run up to Isnian first to tell him all about it. Isnian wasn't aware that even Mother used to have the same power. Neither did he get to spend much time with Mother before she passed away and I came to this world. When I went to tell Father about it all, his expression never faltered from being serious. He would listen to every word I say and take action to prevent it. Visions don't always arrive so as to make sure that the event shown in the context never happens, something I realized as I grew up. Father never encountered the realization. He would go beyond measures to prevent the occurrence no matter how trivial it might be.

But the one that I got now is no trivial one. Then why am I thinking so hard about this? Why am I being hesitant?

The visions I get come in more than one form. Sometimes I get them in a dream, sometimes they arrive out of the blue in my consciousness, getting me into catalepsy for who knows how long. There are multiple moments when I saw the vision as it is about to happen in the future, and I can't yet deny that I have also come across a few which were more metaphorical in a sense. Just because I saw the empire in ashes may not mean the empire is about to be destroyed. It may mean something very near to me or of great significance is about to be shattered. But I always got to know if it was a metaphor that I am seeing for any other event about to occur. This vision that I got this time around was so vivid, it was hard to conjecture whether what I saw is really about to happen.

But I know a way to clear my mind and see for itself.

I touch the closest object to me to see which direction I am facing when pacing around the room, then turn right. Opening the trunk, I bring out the easel and my favorite paintbrush as well as the palette.

Painting is one of my favorite hobbies for sure. It helps me get a better picture of what's on my mind, whether turmoiling or as calm as an ocean before the big storm. I decide to paint the vision down. Through the process, I am bound to get a better view and conclude what my next step should be.

So I start. First the flames. Mixing the red and yellow in proportion to get the perfect orange shade I saw. The shade screamed to be perilous and angry. I wonder for a while which part of the city I should be painting first, then I decide, it should be the Imperial Palace. That was where near to which I saw that man. First I finish the background, the palace, then I will get to the man. Once I paint him down too, I will know exactly what he must look like in real life.

The vision, the oracle, they weren't much help. I somewhat know what the culprit looked like, but the most unhelpful part of this whole matter is - I cannot see. And I cannot go ahead and touch a man's face to know what they look like. Can I tell others and get them to relay me the information on the appearances of the people I come across? Sure. But there stays at least 100 thousand people in the capital itself. If half of them are men, and half of that half are the age of the man I saw, even then the number is too big to make a tally table and crisscross through to find out the culprit.

I sigh. Getting at least a close portrait of the man's appearance will be helpful to identify him later.

After I finish this picture, I reckon I will go tell Father first about this. After all, aside from getting the visions of the future, I won't really be able to help in other matters. I can only defend myself to an extent and hardly others, with the fighting skill and swordsmanship I have. I can't think of many ways to be involved with political affairs and help save the empire. My social skill is a mostly the epitome of failure, and people don't take me seriously often because of my disability. My focus would be to save my family first and foremost nonetheless.

Even for me to do that, I am...revoltingly...so powerless.

My hands are moving on my own as I splash color after color, drunken in my own thoughts, only coming to the real world after hearing the faint noise of footsteps I hear close to my chamber. I wouldn't have had the rhythm and the weight of the sound not been so unfamiliar to me.

My ears perk up in rabbit-like caution.

They place their foot down lightly with much caution, meaning that they are aware of their self-weight. So it can't be Mariqua. Can it be Father? He doesn't need any reason to be so careful with his steps and place them lightly, and he rather walks quite fast. Compared to that, this person is being suspiciously slow. It can't be him. Isnian has gone out to finish the formalities for his upcoming training. It's going to take him a while, he is unlikely to be back home before evening. Head Maid? No. She places more weight on one foot. Sislik. Not her either.

I blink twice, my forehead skin creases to the shape of a trident.

It's a stranger.

There's no way someone can just walk carefree within the estate and especially in the hallway that leads to my chamber. Who is this person?

The footsteps draw closer, resonating to be not too far away from my chamber soon. Then they stop. I hear slow, calm, light breaths. My hand had stopped with the brush a long while ago before I even realized. I force myself to continue stroking the brush on the easel.

Even when the door opens and closes with almost no noise, I keep on painting. I hope the intruder hasn't noticed my other hand trembling.

Think Ishelyn. Do not be afraid.

If the person wasn't aware of my disability, they would've already attacked me to get me as a hostage if that was their purpose behind this invasion. But they are just standing...right as they entered, I believe beside the threshold.

So they know that I am blind. And they aren't making any of the textbook moves of an intruder...

My chamber is quite modest compared to the rest of the estate. I don't like the extravagant style of decoration and prefer to keep the gathering of the furniture in my chamber as minimal as possible so that I can have as much of the space to myself. My chamber would never be the first place to rob if a burglar comes in anyway. If they are not here for stealing, assassination, or even a*******n, what are they here for...?

I flinch as the sudden movement I have been anticipating finally arrives and grab the dagger Isnian gifted me on my last birthday, concealing it under the furl of my skirt. I hear the familiar footsteps of Mariqua approaching my chamber outside in the hallway, so that must be the reason. But the person doesn't come towards me. The stealthy movements divert and sprint towards my balcony and pretty soon, I hear a feeble whoosh!

The body lands quite swiftly on the ground down the second floor. I can't but be impressed. Whoever the person is, with whatever the motive, they are light on their feet and know to control their momentum quite diligently.

The door is opened by a wary Mariqua, somewhat disturbed in her voice.

"You've got a visitor, my Lady."

"Who is it?"

"I am not sure...he was being so secretive about it. But judging by his attire and etiquette, I think he's a noble."

A nobleman? Being secretive? Who would even need or want to meet me not willing to reveal their identity?

"Take him to the drawing room. I will be there in a second."

"It's that...he wants to talk to you in private...was being so insistent to visit you in your chamber. But I told him to wait and relay your words first, my Lady."

In my chamber?

Wait. Then the intruder who just came in here a while ago then escaped through the balcony...was it the same person?

But it doesn't make any sense. Why would he tell Mariqua to inform me about his visitation first then sneak up to my room like that without even my permission, and then jump off the balcony...what does this all mean?

"Is he here alone? Does he have any guard with him?"

"He came alone. And I don't think I saw any guard waiting outside."

"Mariqua. Can you check the lawn through the balcony?"

"I beg your pardon, my Lady?"

"Yes, please go check it for me and let me know if you see anyone outside."

Mariqua moves hesitantly, "I don't see anyone..."

"Okay. Can you tell the gentleman if he's okay with a meeting at the garden?" I certainly don't want any stranger to come to meet me in my private chamber.

"Okay. I will let him know."

She comes back soon with his message, "He says he's okay with it."

"Very well." I get up.

As soon as I enter the garden, I feel the same aura that I felt back in my chamber when that strange intruder appeared. I know for sure now that it's the same person.

"Greetings to Lady Ishelyn. I express my uttermost gratitude for being allowed your precious time for a meeting." His voice is manly, and deep, yet with a hint of a slight boyish tone somewhere underneath, indicating that it's going to get deeper as time passes - which means he's yet to reach coming of age. Despite the benevolent wording, the way he utters his greetings is unexpectedly arrogant to the ear. It's mild but it's there, more like he's trying to appease and replace it with a gentle vibe as he greets. Either his status lies above me or he just sees me as a fragile, incapable lady in his head. He bows immediately after. I measure the distance of the source of his voice. He is definitely taller than me by at least half a foot.

I greet back. "May I know who you are first, mister?"

I hear a feeble snicker. Is he mocking me? Was I supposed to know who he is? Have I met him before?

No. I would've recognized his voice after all. I become self-conscious in a trice.

"What is so funny?" Even if I tried to not sound irritated, I think the tone escaped with a bit of it.

"Oh, was I laughing? Did it sound like that? I was just admiring you, my Lady. I have heard of you so much, about your elegance and how bright you are. Now that I stand before you, I know every word of it is evidently true."

"Is that your purpose for being here? To just see me in person?" I want to add - if so, your work here is done. You may leave. But of course, I can't.

"Of course not. I dare not waste my Lady's precious time on something such trivial!" He says, "Considering that you must be so busy. Do you, perhaps, paint?"

He must know as he saw me painting back in my chamber.

"I see paint on your hand, so I was wondering."

Hmph. "I do."

"Incredible! Only proves how enchanting you are! I absolutely rever people who own a creative mind." He comes forward and holds my right hand, "How about we take a seat first? This way, my Lady."

I nod. This ensures that he knows about my disability despite meeting me for the first time. But he is oblivious nonetheless, because I don't need to be escorted around despite not being able to see, at least not in my own estate. He should've made a guess on that when I came down to the garden without any help from Mariqua. He doesn't need to know of the fact for now. So I just let him escort me.

The glove framing his hand is made of delicate silk. An emblem is embroidered on the backhand. I roam my finger around to paint a picture of what it looks like in my mind. A shield, centering the fiery mane of a roaring lion...

I gasp and immediately halt on my step.

He asks, "Is there something wrong?"

He is from the Imperial Family.