Maintaining Face — Pt. 3

Aithne glanced at him, a confused look marring her features, trying to think of what to say. How had he heard of her leaving so quickly? She had agreed only moments prior and immediately left for the library. "What do you mean?"

"This has been planned for a while. I wanted to speak with you before you left due to the Emperor's intentions."

"How do you know this?"

"The Emperor approached me before he left for his trip to Hiemal. He wanted to notify me of his plans for your birthday. It felt wrong of me to keep this information to myself, so I do apologize for not saying anything sooner, but he―" Ros' words were cut short by the sound of the door opening. Flinching, he leaped up and stood to observe their visitor more formally.

Almost as if it were fate, Cairbre had manifested behind the door. His presence did not seem to be a welcome surprise to Ros.

"Ros, Aith, what a pleasure it is to see you two here…alone," Cairbre grinned, shutting the door behind him.

The Princess glanced between her brother and the librarian for a few moments, finally realizing what he was insinuating. Mortification and disgust flooded through her veins, and yet she could not find any words to express it.

Ros appeared sickly, all of the blood draining from his face. It was not every day that something phased him. Given any other circumstance, Aithne would have found this quite the comical sight.

It was not that circumstance.

"Nothing to say?" The Emperor smiled.

He seemed a bit too satisfied for his own good.