FLOWERS ― fresh , faintly scented arrived every single day ever since a week after the birthday banquet for the empress . they were always in a small bouquet , wrapped in a crimson satin ribbon , sent to her personal maid ― emily's ― quarters with a note that always said ' for the queen ' .
the choice of flowers ― yellow hued acacia's ― worried her maid . did the sender not know its meaning ? and what if they did ? she couldn't decide which was the worst scenario .
rather than making a show of it , emily had informed the empress in secret ― who advised her to ignore the gift . the maid had complied , but every week ever since , they would come without a fault , a bouquet of acacia's left outside with the empress' name on the note attached to it .
they symbolised hidden love ― and to receive such a gift so many times ..
" put them in a vase . " one morning on the start of week ― when the flowers arrived ― Persephone ordered her . emily gasped , looking at the empress with an incredulous expression .
" b-but ! it's ― are you sure about it , your highness ? "
Persephone sighed . she'd been thinking about it for some time ― and truth be told , she was certain it wasn't callisto who had sent the flowers . she was well aware prince aidan was not the sort to tread with such caution .
if he had wanted ― and good heavens , it sent shivers down her spine to even think of it ― he would have arrived in the astocian palace by now and perhaps even pulled a raid to kidnap her out .
he was a madman like that , she knew .
then who was it ? the question bothered her . at first she'd thought she could easily ignore them and they would stop ― but they'd been persistent . so she for a change , did not wish to throw the flowers and see how they reacted . it was certain with their knowledge of who her personal maid was , that they knew what went on in the palace . and seeing they knew flower language well enough to send her a particular flower that meant 'secret love' ― they were surely of noble ranking .
" just put the damn flowers in the vase , emily . people know better than to create rumours over something so trivial as such . " she clipped back , and the maid obeyed instantly .
when the clock announced it was fifty past two ― a knock came promptly on her door , making her rise from her seat to receive her guest ; opening the door , she was met with the sight of claude standing outside .
" your highness . " she bowed , moving aside to let him in .
with languid strides he entered ― taking his seat on the sofa , followed by Persephone who gestured emily to bring tea .
" are you done with the review of the restoration budget for garnet palace ? " he questioned , eyeing her as she took her seat across from him .
" just a few changes are required , i believe this year will be easier on the royal treasury . " she replied .
an approving nod followed , and he leaned forward to gently touch the acacia's that adorned the table between them . a frown appeared over his brow ,
" i believe we do not grow these in the imperial gardens ? ― isn't this flower supposedly a weed ? "
the question made her grin in amusement , and she shook her head .
" these aren't from imperial gardens , they were sent to me as a gift . "
her answer simply caused his frown to grow deeper ― hand withdrawing from touching the flower at an instant as if it were something disgusting . emily entered back in to set the tea tray on the table , and azazel held his question until she was gone .
" who sent these to you ? "
" i'm not aware , but it happens to be someone very persistent . they've been sending the same flower for over a month now . "
a scowl appeared on his face ― and he glared at Persephone like she had hidden some crucial information from him . he opened his mouth to snap , but penelope beat him to it ,
" please don't overreact . it's just flowers . "
azazel seemed momentarily embarrassed of his actions , averting his gaze to her bookshelf and concentrating on drinking tea instead .
silence fell between them once again . and although it has been quite some time ― it was still not in a desperate need to be filled . not from Persephone's side , at least .
" show me the changes you're planning on suggesting in the council tomorrow . " all too suddenly , azazel said , putting the empty cup of tea back down on the table .
Persephone raised her eyebrows , curious as to why would he think of walking towards her work desk rather than just having her bring the papers to him .
but of course , why would she bother if that is what he wanted ? over the time with the emperor , she had learned that he was moodier than most of the noblewomen she'd known back in inca empire .
and poking at a moody beast was the last of the things she wished to do , thank you very much .
following his steps , she pulled out a parchment ― dried ink mapped over its surface ― and slid it towards him , pointing to explain .
" since the profit from spice trade this year was higher than the last time ― I've .. " her words trailed off , form stiffening immediately as she felt the hum of a certain someone who had decided to creep closer ― behind her .
azazel leaned over and focused on the parchment , ( or pretended to , anyway ) voicing ,
" what ? continue explaining . " he quipped monotonously .
heat crawled its way up to Persephone's face ― she cleared her throat , ― trying to ignore the sudden ( and unneeded ? she had honestly , no idea what's gotten to him ) proximity .
" ― we use that profit into the restoration of the garnet palace instead of raising the taxes . "
claude hummed again , resting his chin on her shoulder ― and pointing a finger towards the third point on the paper .
" and what is that ? "
Persephone sighed . " the budget for concubines , which was separated from every year's income in the royal treasury . since his highness doesn't have any concubines , it's simply piling up and is practically useless . we can put that money into the trade . "
marine eyes then turned to cast a glance towards him , deadpanning .
" now since I've finished explaining , could you please stop leaning on me , your highness ? "
azazel SMIRKED ― making her wonder if he was truly , feverish ― for this behaviour was just .. odd .
" do you have a problem ? "
" no offense meant , but his highness is quite heavy . "
he sniggered at her retort , pulling away . the flush on her face whilst she made such sarcastic remarks was quite an odd sight ― but then again , what was new ?
the empress was a peculiar woman , after all .
" it is the first time I've seen a woman complain about my weight on top of her ― you do know how to hurt a man , empress . " he clipped back , insolent grin still on his face .
" your highness , are you unwell ? "
Persephone asked , not bothering to hide her genuine confusion at his behaviour . it irked him , this isn't how she was supposed to be acting .
he leaned closer , head tilting to side .
" i don't know , am i― ? " a loud knock resonated in the room , felix's voice following .
" your highness ! duke alpheus came to have an audience regarding some issue ! "
irritation visible on Azazel's face , he pulled back , pinching the bridge of his nose .
" i must leave . " he murmured , much to Persephone's amusement .
" blessings upon the sun of the empire . I'll see you in the evening , then . "
azazel nodded , hissing on his way out .
and when antonius saw the emperor emerge from the empress' office , he was certainly not expecting to receive a death stare that seemed to dig a hole through his skull . poor antonius didn't really look forward to his day from then on .
and moments after he was gone , a servant came knocking on the empress' door . needless to say , she didn't doubt who was the one who sent pink roses to her chambers afterwards .