16
Ada struts down the area the duke pitched his tenth. This is not the first she's met him like this but she always found the men staring.
She enters his tenth meeting him and his squire Tilo. She always wondered why he carried Tilo around he wasn't that strong like his other knights. He wasn't even a Knight, neither was the duke.
"You're back early." Ezra muttered without sparing her a glance. "Well it wasn't that challenging. By the way you are aware the prince is a back early than expected."
The Duke nodded. "I expected this since I'm away he might have come early than expected." Ada folded her arms wearing a wicked smile across her face. "Should I kill him ?"
"Not now at least, if you do Anthonette would die."
"Oh, you struck a deal with the Emperor. That's why the bastard is abusing your compassion." Ezra ignored her giving Tilo something to deliver. "You should really get yourself an actual knight."
"I'm already a knight, I don't need one."
"You really didn't swear your allegiance to the throne, I'm not even surprised, you of all people would never obligate to the throne, anyways the Emperor will find other ways to make you pledge." Ada half yelled but then noticed Ezra's twisted smile. "He shouldn't bother, I already have someone.." Ada wasn't a fool she knew the person he swore to was the Lady Anthonette. There were rumors about this, that's why he did everything he's done so far.
"I should be minding my business but don't you think this can give way to a weakness."
"I have no weakness, I'm just fulfilling my part of the deal to the Lady. Don't confuse my loyalty for some trivial feeling, it's nothing like that..." Ada offered a bemused smile at his idiocy.
"You used to be a better liar."
_
It was the talk of Cordenia that the Empress burnt down an Inn. Those who witnessed it relayed it as a way to punish Sir Amos who offended her. Those who had no idea of the cult previously existed claimed the Empress was trying to rid of her followers to prevent getting exposed.
While others just instigated it as the beginning of a war.
For the Empress to show her face like that, there couldn't be any other explanation and so the people requested for the head of the EMPRESS.
Naomi left the Emperor's quarters after a long night. She barely slept as she had to keep up with the highness. He had the stamina of a bull whenever it came to the bedroom. "Maybe I should purchase withania." She made her way to the concubine's quarters.
The sound of the other concubines gossiping filled the room. Some of them looked over to her after acknowledging her presence.
"Naomi. You had a long night I suppose." Beatrice a consociate of Naomi teased. "Some people get tired with age when it comes to this sort of thing. The Emperor is terribly excluded. It's like he gets demanding every night, it doesn't help that he calls on me the most." Naomi slowly approach the laundry room to get a basin.
"I'm going to the well, who will accompany me ?" Agatha stood up immediately running towards Naomi. "Where's your bucket ?" Naomi asked the overly excited Agatha. "I won't be bringing a bucket but since you've been up all night I might as well assist you on our way back."
Naomi sighed already aware of her true intentions. "You want to steal a glance of the crown prince don't you ?" Agatha blushed feeling embarrassed. "He's just a younger version of the Emperor don't get your hopes up." Naomi warned the hopeless romantic.
"Naomi, have you heard ?" Naomi paused to consider what Beatrice had to say. "Oh Naomi you've been exhausted going back to back to the Emperor's Chambers. I don't think she's aware." Naomi looked to Agatha who was now talking.
"What happened ?"
Everyone mummured until Beatrice spoke up. "They said the Empress burnt some Inn. Was it 38 people that were injured ? I don't really remember but they said something about a war coming out of it." Naomi dropped her basin.
"A-A war ? The Emperor won't let that happen." Naomi said as Beatrice nodded. "Of course he won't but the way he plays a blind eyes to the Duke and Empress game of cat and mice. Do you think he'll even take this seriously ?" Naomi felt a blow taken to her heart. The Emperor did not play fair when it comes to the Duke and the Empress, she understands the Empress situation but never the duke. The Empress was his wife so of course he'll play impartiality when it came to her.
But will it reach to a point that a war might break out. "We need to speak to his highness." Naomi yelled as the other concubines shrugged. "Know your place Naomi, or have you forgotten why we are all here in the first place ?"
"We are here exploit the Emperor's need. We have no say in his political affairs. We can only hope he listens to the people and their demands. But I doubt he'll see through it." Everyone nodded. "Let's hope so, but how could the people even make that request ?"
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