Kalliope had never liked audiences with His Holiness.
Despite his age, the Old Emperor’s presence alone was always enough to intimidate all that stood before him.
Erus’ blue eyes were as cold as the region that birthed him, sharpened with age, experience, grief and conquests. His reputation preceded him and, though he was frailer than depicted in the many fearsome tales, he radiated an imposing aura that even Malus couldn’t command.
It was always jarring, sitting in His Holiness’ office, with nothing to look at but the Emperor himself with how incredibly sparse his office was for a man of his stature. The chill that pierced through the air itself here had Kalliope sit straighter, her senses more alert, for she could not afford even the briefest moment of weakness around him.
As the la
