Empress Evelyn waited patiently for Adie to take everything in. She was still young, and somewhat unaware of the darker corners of the Palace.
Adie had been the daughter of a General and his wife. Due to… conflicting personalities, Adie had found her place under the Empress' wing rather than at a military husband's side. She was nearly the same age as Princess Vella and Empress Evelyn had asked for Adie to become her playmate.
With Adie becoming close to Princess Vella, Evelyn's daughter, she had come to be adopted as the Empress's personal maid soon after Vella left for the Shadowveil kingdom. As such, she knew some, but not all of the story between the Empress and the three queens. She had been loyal, and untouched by dark intentions since she started to serve. There was a pang of regret as she looked around her new palace.
"Adie, I am sorry you have to follow me here. I know it isn't much, but we can make it our home." Empress Evelyn tried to assure her. Partially to be nice and partially out of guilt. As the daughter of a general, Adie had never lived in or perhaps even seen a place like this. The younger woman laughed and then turned a beautiful smile on the Empress, her pretty blue eyes dancing with merriment.
"My Lady if you are happy, then so am I. Let's get this place cleaned up!" Adie agreed enthusiastically, tucking her hair up into a bun and securing it with a jade pen. However, before she could begin cleaning Tears rose onto all fours tilting her head at the back room, just beyond the partition itself.
The outline of a man coming through the window could easily be seen. Adie grapes the handle of a old clay pot nearby by, testing its weight in her grip. It was heavy but she was certain she could throw it with some amount of precision.
Tears tilted her head and made a throaty rumbling sound… very similar to a chuckle. 'Did this human girl think that if this person means Mistress harm she would have a chance to throw that pot before I attacked?' these thoughts only lasted a moment before the leopard caught his sent. It only took a moment for her to lay back down on her mat.
At that moment, the figure turned the corner, dressed in royal robes of sapphire blue. Angered eyes glance around the room, and out of the corner of his eye he saw a blur. Raising a hand he caught the pot and turned to look at her.
Adie shrunk back, biting her lip as she realized her mistake. Kneeling she placed her head to the floor and began to beg forgiveness. Clovis smiled at her, having always seen Adie as a sister more than a servant or a friend.
"Come now, Adie. I know I missed dinner the other night but there's no reason to throw things." Clovis teased setting the pot on the counter. Adie took a deep breath, her cheeks crimson.
"Your highness, I really didn't know it was you…" she started to apologize again but then… she realized something. Her expression went from apologetic to indignation instantly. "Why under this sun or any other did you come in through the window!" her tone was triumphant and Clovis was taken slightly aback but laughed at her sudden change.
"I couldn't exactly be seen waltzing into the cold palace unannounced without my 'Aunts' throwing fits like children. So, I bribed a guard and came in the back." Clovis explained with a shrug. Adie thought about this a moment… nodded to show her agreement, and went back to wiping down the empty shelf by the door.
"Now that you two are done with your little show, care to explain why your here, Clovis?" Empress Evelyn interjected, commanding his attention. Clovis' eyes softened and turned loving toward his mother. His eyes darting over her every detail to ensure she was alright. The dusty rags she was wearing caused anger in his heart.
"Why… what did those women do to convince my bubble head father to place The Empress, My Mother, here?" he growled a tone of protective worry apparent in each syllable.