An inevitable confrontation

-- POV Alayna --

"Good...now let's get started !"

The Empress had said these words after explaining why she had allowed me to keep my mask on. I had been happy to hear this at first, but afterwards, the snake-tailed Commander's words had stuck in my mind. Deep down something was wrong. When I looked at the faces of the people in front of me, I could see that some of the female Commanders were looking at me with visible displeasure.

*I...*

Suddenly, what was bothering me popped into my mind. I was not in a small clan of half-humans, I was in an entire Empire facing its Empress. As I came to my senses, I spoke to myself, disappointed at having been so stupid.

*Has fear robbed you of all common sense ? If you can't even gain the trust of the people of this Empire, what's the point of keeping your mask on if you have to leave or die ? You have finally found the one you were looking for, and despite the promise you made, it is worthless if you cannot earn her trust !*