Ruthless Liviera

It wasn't only Levin who was shocked to see Liviera in front of them; it was even more so for the royal guards who were with them. They almost forgot how to greet a royal as they were dumbstruck by this unexpected event. 

"Y-Your—" Before they finished the salute, Liviera lifted his hand in front of them and stopped them immediately. 

He shook his head and reminded them. 

"There's no need for that. We're all on the same mission; act as normal as you can." 

This was easier than done, but Liviera made sense. They were on an important mission after all, and they couldn't afford to be distracted. It was only that, even for these elite royal guards, knowing that the mother empress was with them, they were finding it hard to adapt. 

Levin stood like a statue, his breathing slowing down considerably as though he was afraid that his presence might become a nuisance for the empress. Their last meeting was indeed unpleasant, but Levin could understand him.