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"Parasol Compact."
The dimension where Urduja and Azarius close after she utters those words. Urduja picks the small wooden box and holds it. She gazes up to see Azarius still on his shocking expression due to the revelation Urduja showed earlier.
Urduja chuckles softly and snaps her fingers in front of Azarius. "I know it is surprising, Azarius. But hey, can't still believe that I already have it?" she asks in her impish smile.
Azarius snaps back to reality. Then he clears his throat. "I'm... I'm still trying to comprehend the information y-you told me, Your Imperial Majesty."
She leans her back on the edge of the desk and crosses her arms. "I hope I can trust you with that information. It is crucial that no one knows aside from my ladies-in-waiting and Imperial Physician Harold about me having mana." She sighs and looks at her hands. She can already manifest some lightning attacks thanks to the Parasol Dome. She manages to enhance her lightning element. "But I still want to learn about sword practicing."
Azarius nods. He understands that Her Imperial Majesty is still having a hard time unleashing her magic armament. But her aura element is rare so it is hard to find a mentor who has the same element as hers.
"I understand. Have no fear, Your Imperial Majesty. What I see or what I hear, I leave everything here."
"That is good to know." She massages her neck. "Summon Gertrude here. I want to discuss something with her."
He lowers his head. "As you command."
"Oh my gosh. I am hungry!" Urduja says as she throws herself to her bed. She turns to see the ceiling and frowns. "Geez... So many things happened today... But I missed coming to school." She feels nostalgic as she remembers how hectic her schedule was before. She misses strolling around the campus after the classes are over. "Adulting sucks..." She huffs. "I wonder if I can still go to school." She looks at the back of her palm and tries to unleash electricity sparking from her fingertips.
She remembers that there is Lucelence Academy here. 'Are there any lightning magic-users aside from me?' She wonders as she sways her fingertips, watching the beautiful lightning release from her fingertips. She finds it beautiful. 'I hope we have this magic stuff back in my world.'
Urduja instantly clenches her hand when she hears knocks from her door. "Come in," she utters and gets up.
"Your Imperial Majesty." It is Gertrude who holds a tray of the teapot, teacup, and some sweet bites. "You have summoned me?" Gertrude asks as she places the tray on the table.
Urduja gets excited and lightly claps her hands. "Yes, I am!" she exclaims and approaches Gertrude. She sits in the chair and ushers her. Then she looks at the door where Azarius is standing. "Come and let's have some tea, Azarius. I wish to discuss some things with you again."
Azarius nods. "Certainly, Your Imperial Majesty."
Gertrude exchanges her glance between Empress Urduja and her cousin, Azarius. She wonders what is happening and it seems that the empress and her cousin have gotten close right now.
"Have a seat as well, Gertrude."
Gertrude turns her head at their empress and nods. "As you wish."
Before Urduja starts the discussion, she sips on her peppermint tea and takes a bite from the macarons. She moans in delight before she clears her throat. Then her expression turns earnest as she looks at Gertrude. Gertrude gulps and feels anxious about the way Her Imperial Majesty looks at her. She glances at Azarius but his attention is not her but somewhere.
With no other choice, Gertrude waits as the anticipation rises within her.
Urduja breathes in and breathes out. "You will no longer be one of my ladies-in-waiting, Gertrude."
Gertrude's heart stops, eyes widened. "W-What?" Her voice is inaudible. Her heart starts to race rapidly. "Why? Did... Did I do something wrong as your lady-in-waiting, Your Imperial Majesty?"
Empress Urduja shakes her head. "No. You haven't done something, Gertrude. It's just that—"
"But why are you removing me as your lady-in-waiting?" She can't help but stand up, panicking. "What is happening?" She turns to Azarius. "Azarius, what is happening?" She feels alarmed. As far as she knows, she hasn't done anything to disgrace the empress.
Urduja chuckles which Gertrude confuses more. "Gertrude, chill. I am not done yet. Let me finish what I am about to say, will you?"
Gertrude turns her head when Azarius tugs her hand. "Sit down. You will be surprised by Her Imperial Majesty's words after this."
"Oh..." Gertrude sits back. She inhales and exhales, feeling a little embarrassed from her sudden outburst. She just doesn't expect that Her Imperial Majesty will be removing her to be her lady-in-waiting.
"Are you feeling relaxed now?" Empress Urduja asks with a smile.
Gertrude nods her head. "Yes, Your Imperial Majesty. Forgive me for my ill-mannered action a while ago." She wants to hide now. She reacts insolently.
Urduja giggles. "It's alright. My apologies for prolonging this agony for both of us." Gertrude creases her forehead in confusion as she waits for the next word Empress Urduja will have to utter. "Gertrude Ray, I am appointing you as my personal knight from now on. I will grant the title 'The Empress's Shield'."
"What?" Her eyes widened.
Urduja tilts her head a little, smiling. "Yes, you will become my personal knight, not as my lady-in-waiting anymore."
"I..." Gertrude doesn't know what to say next. She is shocked by the empress's words. 'Me? I will be the Empress's personal knight? And I will have a title as well?' She says in her mind, still shocked. She looks up. "W-Why me, Your Imperial Majesty?" She gulps. "Why not, C-Captain Azarius?"
"Good question!" Urduja clasps her hands and places her elbows on top of the table. "Well, I found out that you were the former Captain of the Diamond Moon Knights and one of the candidates to be the assistant of Alistair."
Gertrude gasps. "H-How did you know about that?" she asks, astonished. Ever since Empress Urduja marries Emperor Alistair, Gertrude never tells the empress about her previous positions here in the palace. When she becomes one of her ladies-in-waiting, she only represents herself as an ordinary noble who happens to enter the palace to be the empress's lady-in-waiting.
'How come she knows about it?'
"I told her."
Gertrude turns her to Azarius. "You what?" She hisses. She already moved on from those details she had in her life yet this cousin of hers dared to tell Her Imperial Majesty?
Azarius leans in his seat and crosses her arms over his chest. "I declined Empress Urduja's offer to be the Empress's Shield. I know that you are more fitted to be her personal knight than me. After all, you have higher aptitude skills than me," he explains.
"You..." Gertrude narrows her eyes at him.
"Worry not, Gertrude. Empress Urduja takes Diamond Moon Knights as her elite knights."
She gasps, covering her mouth in surprise to look at her empress. "I-Is that true, Your Imperial Majesty?" she asks for confirmation.
Urduja nods her head, giggling. "It is," she says.
Gertrude bites her lower lip before she nods and bows her head before her empress. "I am grateful to be by your side, Empress Urduja. I will be your protector and be your shield."
"That settles now, right? I need to settle the appointment ceremony tomorrow." Urduja claps her hands in excitement.
Gertrude smiles and agrees. "Yes, Your Imperial Majesty." She turns at her cousin, Azarius, and sighs in relief. Azarius smiles back.
Together, these two cousins promise themselves that they will protect Empress Urduja with all their might.