Chapter Seventy
I walked into Julia’s chambers. The soldier escorting me waited behind.
“You may come in,” she called out to me, and I stepped into the private room, finding her naked. Trian stood nearby with a glass of wine, dressed only in his pants.
“Hey there.” He said to me with a smirk.
I couldn’t help the sudden anger I felt. I shouldn’t be angry; I should be happy that he was totally fine and I was, but he seemed a little… too fine. One would think he was one of the High Regents, given how relaxed he looked. He fit perfectly into luxury. I had been worried for no reason, but that wasn’t the real cause of my anger; I knew it. I looked away from him.
“You called for me, Empress.”
“Yes, I did. Empress Cynthia has decided to ignore your foolishness and engage you in lessons as previously arranged. You’ll be wise not to mess this up. I might not be as merciful next time.”
“Thank you for giving me another chance; I promise not to speak out of turn or disrespect her in any way.”
“Of course,” she said.
“Would that be all?” I asked, looking anywhere but at her naked body.
“Get me a robe; it’s over there.” She pointed, and I hurried towards her dressing room and returned with a robe. I helped her into it. “He’s a good–looking man.” She said to me,
“What?”
“Look at him.” She whispered, and I did. Trian put on his jacket; he was far enough that he wouldn’t hear us. “He is a good–looking man.” She repeated.
“I do not look at men in that manner, Empress.”
“Spare me. The whole city can see it, and you might be the chosen, but you are still a girl with eyes.
“I don’t think he is bad–looking.” I agreed.
“I hope you know the importance of remaining pure?” she asked silently.
“Of course, Empress, I do.” I said, but for some reason my Heart sped up.
“Good. You may leave.”
I walked away, and Trian followed.
I didn’t utter a word to him even as we reached my room.
I picked up my book and began reading.
“You’re mad at me,” he stated.
“I’m not.”
“You sure sound mad, even now.”
L… okay, maybe I am a bit mad at you.”
“Why?”
>>
+25 BONUS
Chapter Seventy
“I was here, dying of worry, and you were there…” I trailed off, returning to my book, I couldn’t say the words. He walked to me; I tried to keep my attention on my book; I tried to remain unfazed by how close he was, but he took the book from my hands.
“You were worried about me?”
“Give me my book back.”
“You will have it after you’ve answered my question.”
“Yes. I was worried about you, but, well, I am not anymore; you seemed to be more than fine.”
“That’s not why you are mad, is it?”
“My book. You said if…”
“I lied.”
“You know what, you can keep it; you don’t seem like much of a reader; you will return it soon.” I said, picking up another book, he stole it from my hands once again.
“I don’t think it’s right for a soldier to be this close to the Chosen.”
“Would you prefer me to stand by the door?”
“Yes.”
“Liar,” he said, a smile curling on his lips. For a moment, I just watched him, then Julia’s words hit me, and I snapped out of it. “Answer, and I’ll return your books.”
“How do I know you aren’t lying?”
“You don’t.”
“You’re different, Trian.”
“I’ve heard that a time or two.”
“No… You are very different from any other soldier, you don’t even act like one. You don’t ask for things; you demand for them.”
“Would you rather I beg? Would that give me a faster result?”
“Did you enjoy your time with her?”
“Aha! You were jealous.”
“I am most definitely not!” I defended. He returned my books.
“You are a liar, but not a very good one, I fear.”
“I am not a llar; you are.”
“You shouldn’t be jealous. I mean, I did manage to conving the Empress never to touch you again; that’s what you wanted, right?”
“But she gets to touch you. Don’t you feel violated?”
He burst into laughter. Violated? No. Trust me, I was not olated in the least!!
“How did you manage to convince the empress?”
Chapter Seventy
“How else? I communicated with her.”
“On the bed? It must have been good communication.
+25 BONUS
Now that you are back and I don’t have to worry anymore, I’d like to take a long rest for the nights I spent staying awake and worrying.”
