Inside the royal palace, along a side corridor in the extended courtyard.
An Xora led Eblana and Reed, the two sisters, to a secluded side hall and arranged their living quarters there.
"The conditions are a bit simple," An Xora said casually. "After all, this place was looted by the Sarkaz army not long ago. Still, the basic furniture and daily necessities have been replaced. I assume you won't mind?"
"Of course not. Thank you for personally seeing us here, my lord,"
Eblana replied respectfully.
"May I ask what positions you intend to assign my sister and me under Her Majesty?"
"That depends on what you want to do," An Xora answered.
"If you want to earn military merit, I can arrange for you to serve as officers in the army. You should know a bit about Ata's experiences—if you go to the military, you won't have to worry about lacking opportunities to prove yourselves."
"If you don't want to fight and kill, and prefer a quieter life, I can also place you in rear-area administrative posts. Considering your Draco heritage and abilities, your starting rank wouldn't be low."
"So—tell me your intentions."
At those words, a glint flashed through Eblana's eyes.
"My sister and I don't seek high office. We only wish to stay by Her Majesty's side—or by your side, Lord An Xora."
"You want to stay near me and Ata?"
An Xora nodded. "In that case, I can arrange for you to serve as Ata's close attendants or personal guards."
He agreed far too easily.
Eblana's mind immediately began working.
Close attendants and personal guards were positions of immense trust—roles that involved constant proximity to the ruler and were normally chosen and appointed personally by the monarch. For anyone else to interfere in such appointments would be tantamount to courting death.
After all, these roles were directly tied to the emperor's personal safety. To meddle in their selection—what were you trying to do? Monitor the emperor? Plant assassins?
Anyone bold enough to do that would be declaring blatant ambition. Even to preserve imperial authority, the emperor would have to crush such a person without hesitation.
And yet, this man named An Xora not only did exactly that—he did it with a completely natural, matter-of-fact attitude, as if he had no concern whatsoever that Empress Talulah might take offense.
It was as though he regarded himself… as the emperor.
What degree of favor—or indulgence—would it take for someone to act with such audacious, almost role-reversing confidence? Was Empress Talulah truly so permissive toward her man?
Though her mind raced, Eblana's outward response remained composed. She took Reed's hand and bowed in thanks.
"We thank you for your trust, my lord. From this day forward, my sister and I shall obey Her Majesty's and your commands."
"Mm. If there's anything you don't understand, ask around—or just come to me,"
An Xora said casually.
"I have plenty of free time most days. I don't mind chatting now and then."
"Oh?"
Eblana's eyes brightened slightly.
"May I ask what position you hold, my lord? And when would it be appropriate for us to visit without disturbing you?"
"As long as it's not too late at night, it's fine," An Xora replied.
"Ata hasn't assigned me any specific post. I do whatever I want. Most of the time I'm too lazy to take on official duties, so you can think of me as spending most days eating, drinking, and having fun. Every so often, when the mood strikes, I take troops out to slaughter a few nobles or capitalists for entertainment."
"Oh, right. I'm actually pretty interested in Victoria's cat-eared girls. Once Ata finishes taking Victoria, I'm planning to have her set up a Feline maid corps in the palace—really savor that decadent,醉生梦死 kind of lifestyle."
Eblana: "..."
I see. Truly… living the life.
Casually inserting people into the emperor's personal guard.
Moving armies without requesting approval.
Killing whomever he pleased when the mood struck.
Showing not the slightest reverence toward the emperor.
And before the spoils of conquest were even distributed, daring to ask the emperor to build him a Feline maid corps.
The scope of this authority could only be described as absurd. Aside from the emperor existing in name above him, this man seemed utterly unrestrained—yet every word he spoke implied that Empress Talulah would grant his requests without hesitation.
If Eblana hadn't long since verified through extensive investigation that Empress Talulah truly held all power firmly in her own hands—having forged a vast empire into a one-woman autocracy, slaughtering all opposition without mercy—she might genuinely have believed that this man was the real power behind the throne.
"If there's an opportunity, my sister and I will certainly visit, my lord. I only hope you won't find us bothersome when the time comes."
After a final exchange of polite courtesies, Eblana watched An Xora's departing back. Only after a long while did she lead her sister into the rooms of the side hall.
...
And so, Eblana and Reed remained, serving as close attendants. On ordinary days, they followed Talulah's orders and attended to her daily needs.
An Xora wasn't worried about the sisters harboring any hidden schemes. With Talulah's current strength, even if they dared try anything, it would amount to nothing more than a sword stroke per head.
Time passed quietly, and in the blink of an eye, several days went by.
On this day, the city guards delivered a report: after days of waiting, the coalition army assembled by Victoria's dukes had finally arrived at Londinium.
At a location twenty to thirty kilometers outside the city, an enormous and astonishingly large force had encamped.
"Your Grace, high-speed warships and logistical supplies have all arrived. We can launch the attack at any time."
Hearing the report, the assembled Victorian dukes slowly nodded.
"Is Londinium still defended by only two Ursus army groups?"
"Confirm that there are no other reinforcements?"
"Reporting: thus far, no additional forces have been sighted. Other than the initial two army groups and the Wendigo Legion, no reinforcements have reached the area."
"Excellent. It seems our Red Dragon Majesty has finally been blinded by greed,"
one duke sneered.
"Despite being deep in enemy territory with limited forces, she still dares to disregard us so completely."
"We are all dukes who rendered great service to Victoria. Yet the new empress insists on branding us traitors. Clearly, Her Majesty has only just arrived in Victoria and lacks a firm foundation, having been misled by treacherous schemers at her side."
"This expedition shall eliminate those treacherous schemers and show Her Majesty our sincere intentions."
"Pass the order—rest for the night. Tomorrow at noon, launch the attack on Londinium!"
…
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