"Soltis Palace? Do you mean you work for the Empress?" When he questioned the maid, it was not that he had forgotten of the subsistence of the palace and its tenants. Duke Helian simply wanted to confirm Tara's words.
"Yes, that is correct, My Lord."
"Well, it is a pleasure meeting you. I presume that our business is connected with the Empress. What might that be?"
"Please wait up till the four of us have assembled. In that event, I can deftly explain the issue thoroughly."
"Four?"
Sarakiel gawked at Duke Claudas with eyes imploring him to explain the circumstances. Still and all, Zelel kept his mouth shut and retained his gaze on the scenery outside the window. Hence, Duke Helian abandoned his pursuit of the details, resolving to await in quietude for the time when his associates decide to speak up.
Latterly of a lengthy zero-engagement trip, the equipage came into a full halt by the gate of the Nachezen Palace, located within the Seraphiel Castle. It was the headquarters of the Knightage and also the abode of the Grand Knight Commander.
Eight knights neared their carriage and gave a salute next upon remarking the insignia of the Claudas household. At this moment, the clueless Duke had deduced the identity of their last accomplice. Thus, instead of letting Zelel do the talking, he exited the ride.
When the knights espied the appearance of their direct superior, they immediately genuflected on one knee.
"Gra-"
Withal, Sarakiel raised his hand to stop his subordinates' greeting, his stare fixated on the opposite border of the central walkway where a figure can be seen nearing their huddle. He bided, unbudging on his spot, for the ingress of this person in their circle.
Once the anticipated individual egressed the palace's premises, Duke Helian bent his torso forward as a display of model deportment in the presence of their leader.
"I address the Knight Commander, Lord Mikhail Percival." Sarakiel heralded, then beckoned the knights to do the same.
"Gratu Zavirnos Gratu Lhex, Hons uft il Herschen. We surrender ourselves to the head of the Seraphiel Empire Knighthood." They all said in unison.
There were a myriad of knights loitering around the area that witnessed the happening. Therefore, they snappily fell onto their knees to observe the propriety acceptable in their ranks.
"Averscha zak Mordun. Everyone, at ease. Return to your posts." The Commander adjourned the knights, so they heeded his words, resuming to act on their duties minus the tension.
On the other hand, Sarakiel straightened his back to assume an upright posture, facing Percival's stern countenance.
"The Emperor dispatched a courier to inform me of your arrival. Let's depart." Mikhail oriented the lad ahead of enabling him to utter a tirade of queries.
"Very well, My Lord."
In due course, they rode the carriage without wasting another beat. Simultaneous to them sitting down, the carriage took off for the third time.
"I offer my respects to the Knights of the Round Table Commander, Mikhail Percival. My name is Tara Kishnar, a servant of the Empress." Tara launched the conversation with her self-introduction.
"I see. Did the Empress send you on an errand? What is our affair of concern?"
Now that their party was complete, Tara knew that an explanation was due. The maid heaved a long sigh, then she deeply bowed her head prior to stating her account.
"I beg the three of you, please save the Empress. She still has not woken up from her slumber of several diers. We are at a loss on what to do."
"What? Can you explain further?" Regardless of his befuddlement, Mikhail opted to ask the specifics.
The three officials had complicated expressions plastered on their faces. It was not a situation to be taken the least bit lightly.
"At first, we suspected that it was her immortality wearing off. However, we inspected that it do-"
"Come again? Immortality?" That piece of information entangled not only Mikhail's, but everyone's enthrallment.
The astonishment varied from person to person. Howbeit, Tara's was of the extreme negative.
'I should not have said that! That was confidential!'
'The Empress didn't yearn for these people to bear an unwarranted part of her. However, I apologize, Your Highness. You ought to cease enduring this atrocity any further than you've agonized alone. I will enlighten them of your genuine condition. Howbeit, what should I do with the narrative?' Tara contemplated, regretting her resolution through and through.
Although her heart was hurting at the thought of going against the Empress' wishes, the maid debated that her master's welfare must matter the most. Thus, she straightened her back, and with a sorrowful countenance, unravelled a terse tale.
"That, uhm- I know that the three of you are cognizant of the truth that there are no spells capable of replicating immortality. Thus, the Empress' immortality isn't as authentic as it would be. The counterfeit spell's exclusive purpose is to heal any wounds and diseases she acquires after its activation, yet it does not guarantee her an unending existence. Actually, the enchantment cannot ensure that she'll persevere for a few more aethras. Nevertheless, we cannot dismiss the fact that it is the spell that enabled her to live up to this dier."
Tara desisted talking in the middle of her speech, attempting to suppress the trembling of her voice. As she supposed, whether or not their verity would be suspected, her succeeding words were quite difficult to impose on anyone.
"This is considered her second life. I will not burrow into Her Highness story any deeper than I've tattled. That is for her to tell. We are simply appreciative of another dier that she's allowed to live. I hope that all of you can understand that she is not a recluse by choice. The Empress aspires to be a decent ruler to this Empire's citizens. In spite of having this pure intention, her frail body constantly deters her from taking a step forward."
Tara halted her explanation for a second, shifting her gaze towards the scenery that was playing on the window.
"That is why us twins took the affair into our hands and solicited for the Emperor's cooperation, even if the Empress would oppose the idea. Admittedly, we are overprotective of Her Highness, but this much restriction is insufficient. Unless we can find an alternative for the faux immortality, she will continue to be dependent on it. We have to find a way to liberate her from this curse of a blessing."