The door to the library opened at the same time as the previous night, and in stepped the silver-haired man. He looked around, and the sides of his lips lifted. He moved to the newly cleaned shelf. "I am impressed," he said, nodding his head as he pulled one record after another. On the third, his hand stopped, and he laughed out loud. "Organised by date. This is excellent and makes my search easier," he added.
After browsing the records, he saw a scroll tucked between two books. He picked it up and moved to the chair, sitting as his eyes moved through the scroll. "So bold to question an imperial order," he uttered under his breath. Despite his harsh tone, his smile was visible as he stared at the scroll, rubbing his chin, his hair twinkling as the moonlight reflected from it.
Emperor Reign Casper's policies were extraordinary. I especially liked his introduction of higher wages into the agriculture industry and also improving and elevating the status of farmers, it was a great move. And so far, I like all of his governance. But what I fail to understand is why a man with such calibre would leave behind an edict like that. There are numerous benefits for empires and kingdoms to connect through marriage; I can list many. However, I am looking forward to your opinion on the same.
With kind regards, Ela.
The man sat there, lost in thought, staring at the scroll. He took his quill pen, setting down the scroll as his hand hesitated in front of it. He moved his other hand behind his ear, scratching, then he put his pen down, stood up, and moved to the window as he looked outside in deep thought. After standing there for a long while, he returned to the chair, took the pen again, and started writing. After he finished, he waited for the scroll to dry, then rolled it up, putting it in the same place he got it from. He then felt his neck and removed a jade pendant and tied it, looking at it for a while, as his hand stroked the pendant, and then set it down next to the scroll and left.
The man reached the door, and he hesitated as his foot stepped out. Then he clapped his hand and went back to the library, sitting himself in the chair as his hand tapped the chair's arm. He stopped, looking up as the door creaked and a man bowed in front of him.
"Your Royal Highness, you signalled for me what I can do for you?" he said.
"Go to the morning court hall and inform Arthur when he arrives in the morning that I will be late for tomorrow morning's court," he said. "And don't let him know where I am. You can leave now," he said, flicking his hand.
The guard's face scrunched in confusion, Yes, your highness he responded and left immediately.
Reign Caelan Valerian paced around the library as the morning neared. He kept checking out of the window; the more he waited, the more his pacing increased as he kept checking the door. But even as the sun rose, no one arrived in the library. So he exhaled deeply and left the library, disappointed that he couldn't see the lady today.
Just as he left, a maid kneeled before him. "Greetings to the Sun of the Empire, Your Royal Highness. Lady Isabella has invited you for breakfast," the maid said.
Reign pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing. "Tell your mistress I am busy right now, but I will join her for lunch," he said, flicking his robe and leaving.
Evie was kneeling at the gates of the Rose Pavilion, the residence of Lady Isabella. That morning, as she was about to go to the library, the butler interrupted her and asked her to go to Lady Isabella's quarters until further notice.
Without any other option, Evie put her basin and rags down and followed the Rose Pavilion maids.
Seated on a chair in the reception room was a woman with dark red lipstick and nicely-toned skin. Her eyebrow curved up, exuding haughtiness, although she was seated. Evie could see she had a great figure, a very tiny waist, and a bigger bust.
"Good morning Lady Isabella" Evie greeted with a bow "God I hope she doesn't start a problem", Evie thought crossing fingers "Pour me a cup of tea," Lady Isabella commanded without responding to her
Evie took the kettle and poured the tea into a cup, handing it over to her.
Clank!
The cup fell onto Lady Isabella's lap. "Are you trying to kill me?" she hissed, raising her hand and slapping Evie so hard that she fell backwards, and the kettle of tea spilt on her leg.
Evie hissed with pain, holding her cheek. She was caught so off-guard that she sat there staring at Lady Isabella. This was Evie's first time experiencing such treatment, and it shook her to her core.
"Go kneel outside your vermin" Lady Isabella hissed.
Evie stood, limping outside, her mind reeling from what had just happened.
"I should look into ways of leaving this godforsaken place," Evie said as she kneeled outside.
"With the edict and no way for Valerian to help, there is no need for me to endure this," she mumbled to herself. Everything had happened so fast this morning. She was looking forward to the mysterious man's response regarding the question she left the previous day, and then, based on the answer, make plans. But now she couldn't wait anymore; she had to get out of this hellhole. With her decision made, she exhaled, squirming as her knees started hurting.
It had been half a day since Evie had been kneeling outside. Her sight was getting blurry; she could feel her cheeks and back burning from the sun. "Why are you kneeling here?" a deep voice asked above her.
She raised her head, but before she could see anything, she felt her sight darken and she fell to the ground, passing out.
"Arthur, go look for the Chamberlain in the Department of the Imperial Household and grant this woman a title and a residence," he said, and then looked at a burly maid kneeling nearby. "You, carry her to the Moonlight Pavilion," he said, flicked his robe, and left, his face dark.