The clock ticks and the "idle" conversation draws to a close. In fact, Julian and I are both waiting for the empress to cut to the chase and finally tell us what we've been waiting to hear: how she will get Julian out of his debacle with the Order.
I also cannot help but worry whether or not the empress knows for certain that I am the one who Julian revealed his memories about the Order too. She must surely suspect at the very least, but will she act on it?
"His Majesty, the emperor, has arrived!" So accustomed I am to only seeing my father during my lessons that this announcement within my personal quarters shocks me out of the facade of calm I'd maintained.
"Is it a holiday?" I mutter to myself in disbelief.
