HOURS KEPT PASSING .. as did the papers on the desk of persephone . one by one . life of luxury my arse ― she thought disdainfully ― being an empress was more work than she'd imagined . had it not been for her college days back in her world ( since being a member of mage council makes a slave out of anyone , that much was true , ) she wouldn't have survived all this workload at all .
emily had brought six cups of tea meanwhile , the concern on her face growing a tad bit more with each time .
finally she had enough of persephone's antics , and huffed in annoyance , hands on her hips .
" you can't keep over exerting yourself like this , your highness ! why can't you just do the rest of it tomorrow ?! " she pleaded , making persephone raise her eyes from the documents she'd been reviewing for the umpteenth time .
" but the emperor was sick , i must make it sure he doesn't have extra workload for tomorrow . " she stated , folding the dark pink hair that scattered over her shoulders up in a bun , securing them with an unused quill .
emily sighed , face palming at the all too familiar antics of her mistress . and it was then ― she had an idea .
coyly , with the excuse of cleaning the empty tea cups from the table , she made a sneaky approach .
" come to think of it , the emperor hasn't left his bedchambers since the morning ; i even saw the ever cheery ser felix looking irate today .. " she murmured " wonder why that might be ― "
catching on the maid's little scheme , persephone gave her a deadpan stare ― don't you think you're becoming too clever these days ? ― written all over her stare wordlessly , making the maid sigh once again .
and back at work ― persephone couldn't help but wonder if there really was something to be concerned about . after all , Emily hadn't been wrong when she said the emperor hadn't left his chambers all day ― maybe there really was a problem .
all thanks to the maid's bait , now the empress couldn't concentrate on work . tired ― she stopped , massaging her temples . it was then a scroll caught her eye . the report she'd written to brief the emperor about the small council meeting .
technically she could give it to him tomorrow , there was no necessity to hand it in right away ―― she reasoned with herself , a small voice nagging in the back of her head simultaneously ― he might not want to see anyone .
However regardless of the argument in her head , persephone found herself closing the leather-bound folder in front of her , and asking a relieved looking emily to bring her robe .
with that , she headed towards the emperor's palace , dismissing emily's nagging about not going alone in the dark .
in front of azazel's bedchambers , she noticed antonius , the royal guard , standing ― vigilant as ever . seeing her , he gave a customary warm smile and bowed in courtesy .
" blessings upon the moon of the empire . what brings you here at this hour , your highness ? "
it was his question that reminded her how unsightly she must look ― with not a single escort , wearing her nightdress and hair up secured by a quill of all things !
what kind of an empress are you ? ; she reprimanded herself in her head , awkwardly explaining the reason of her visit .
" ah ― it was for this .. i came here to brief the emperor about today's small council meeting so he doesn't have any problems picking up from where i left . did i come at a bad time ? "
her uncertain words made the knight chuckle ― but not unkindly ― it was at times like these that reminded him that the empress who seemed so cold and calculating was still a young girl .
" its alright , your highness ; this palace is yours as much as it is his highness' , you can go wherever and when you please . " he replied , quietly opening the door and speaking in a hushed voice .
" please , come in . "
on the knight's words , persephone peeked inside ― only to find the room dark and empty . she entered , eyes scanning the place to see that there was not a single source of light apart from the moonlight that seeped in through the slits in the curtains .
and there , beside the table , the emperor lay carelessly on the seatte . his clothes were loosely hanging on his lean frame ― hand dangling down to only just touch the floor , face contorted into an uncomfortable expression .
at his haggard appearance , persephone frowned , turning to face antonius who said in a defeated tone .
" he ordered me to stay put , saying he doesn't need to hear the royal physicians' constant barking . "
the look on his face was one of a tired friend ― who had seen this spectacle happen far too many times for being amused by it anymore .
she sighed , light as air footsteps approaching to check the emperor's temperature . thankfully , his body had healed itself considerably .
" sir antonius , help me put his majesty to bed , will you ? " at her words , he grinned immediately , complying to her wishes and grabbing azazel's side to lift him up along with the empress and gently lay him on the bed .
scroll forgotten , persephone now sat beside the bed ― conjuring a healing spell betwixt her fingers to gently brush it against azazel's forehead .
the frown that tensed his brows gradually subsided , and his breathing eased , signalling the success of the spell . relief washed over persephone for an unknown reason ― she wasn't exactly the most caring person , thus it confused her .
regardless , she pulled the covers up and tucked the man in like some child , turning to leave . until she felt a tug on the hem of her nightdress' ― catching her completely off guard .
antonius too , seemed surprised for a moment ― but seeing the empress' embarrassment ― he pretended to not notice , and instead scratched the back of his head .
" ah ― ! I'll be outside then , your highness . call me if you need anything , good night . "
with a miserable look , persephone watched the knight ditch her and scurry outside leaving her alone . Frowning , she looked at the sleeping figure of the emperor , and his vice-like grip on her skirt .
with a sigh , she took a seat next to his arm ― gently trying to loosen his fingers that clasped her dress . a few tries , and a sleep spell later , she succeeded . azazel's grip on her skirt slowly loosened .
and as she was moving to leave , when a faint whisper ― laced in such grief ― called to her .
" don't leave me , delilah . . . "
persephone turned to face azazel's sleeping form , and to her surprise she found tears streaming down the corner of his eye . the sight was painful , oddly enough for someone who had never known late consort delilah or her relationship with the emperor ; she must've been a very good woman ― persephone mused , reaching out to wipe the tear that stained his cheek .
" sleep well , your highness . "
and with that , she left .