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...31...
AT DEATH'S DOOR💀
Several thoughts ran through her head as she went out of the bedroom, through the emperor's quarters and down the long corridors that led to the stairs. There was something that she didn't know, something that the rest of them present had known. But, what it was, she, Xiera could not make it out. And, it bothered her, really bothered how. Whatever that they all were keeping was huge. That Lady, the one that she served, she was no ordinary person. Yes, she had known this all along, but it had never been more clear than today. Everyone was fretting over her, even the Little Prince. She could have easily attributed it to the fact that she was the emperor's woman, but she knew that it was far more than that, the reason they were all on edge. She shrugged it off as she went down the stairs and to the living room area where Hera-Mera was still on her knees like the Little Prince had instructed. The sight brought joy to her soul and a broad smile to her face. How pleasing! The wench had not had it yet. It will begin when the Emperor returned from his journey. She smiled again and went up to Octavia.
'Your master has asked that I give this to you and tell you to bring it to the emperor instantly,' she said to the Little Prince's aide.
'It's for the Emperor,' Octavia said casually as she collected the folded paper that Vura stretched out to her. She stared at it for a moment.
'Yes it is.'
'I shall leave at once,' she said turning away and headed for the exit. But, she suddenly pivoted to look at Vura. 'Make sure that she remains in this position,' she ordered her glancing briefly at Hera-Mera.
'I shall, with all gladness,' she assured her with a smile. The other nodded and finally left. Then, she turned to Hera-Mera. 'Oh look at you,' she sneered. 'You are at whose mercy now?' she went on to taunt her. Hera-Mera said nothing to her. 'Anyways, it shall not be just you. That other bitch Zoë must partake of this.' Then, she laughed happily.
Outside, Octavia readied her horse to leave the empire after getting a few necessities from the emperor's kitchen. She saddled her beast of burden and began her journey, headed for the nearest island where the emperor currently was with the letter in her pocket. It was called Quarie Island. The island was about three hours ride from the Linamine Empire. The Kutrav river linked it to the Linamine coast. The emperor was there on business. She knew this because she had been there when he had discussed the purpose of his visit with her Master, the Little Prince. He had gone there to propose a business deal. He wanted to persuade the King of the island to allow a bridge to be built across the Kutrav river from the Linamine coast to Quarie.
It should have been an easy feat for the proposal was quite advantageous to both side. But, Quarie was a rather small isolated island in the midst of many strong kingdoms. The city was not walled because the waters completely surrounding it performed that function. The other kingdoms avoided starting a war with the island country because it wasn't easy to attack from the water. A sea war cost a lot. Therefore, to persuade such a country who relied solely on water for protection from war to build a bridge was almost futile, just like pouring water into a basket. It was almost unachievable. The bridge would take away most of their defense and leave them vulnerable to their enemies in a war scenario.
Despite that, the emperor had still wanted to try. To try and be rejected, it was far better than not even trying at all. He had had to write and rewrite proposals after proposals until Quarie had settled on one and asked to discuss it. The King of Quarie Island had wanted to come to Linamine for that as Linamine was a far greater country than it was, but he had been against it. He would go instead. It was Quarie who was making a sacrifice. He was the one who wanted something. He had to go and get it. So, he had travelled down to Quarie to do so. No one knew if their meeting was going well as planned, in terms of negotiation.
When she arrived Kutrav river, she was stopped by the guards at the harbor. She dismounted and identified herself. She also stated why she was there. The moment she mentioned that she was from Linamine and she was there to see the Emperor for something urgent, their attitudes towards her changed instantly. They began to give her stupidly sweet smiles and generously directed her on how to travel across the waters to the main island. Infact, one of the leaders assigned a guard to lead her to the palace. She had to leave her horse at the harbor with them. They promised to take care of the animal on her behalf. She took her sling bag and followed the assigned guard whose name was Caspian to a boat which they boarded. They arrived the main island after about forty minutes. The guard introduced her to his colleagues guarding the other side of the harbor. They were much more mature than the others on receiving her, though still stupidly sweet. Caspian procured horses for them and they ride to the palace.
After a tiring bureaucracy of identification from one palace gate stop to another, she was finally brought before the King who informed the emperor of her presence. She was then taken to his quarters by a maid after she thanked Caspian for his help. He asked if he should await her. She allowed him to do so because she was returning instantly, after delivering the Little Prince's message to him. She saw Peter first when she arrived the emperor's luxurious allocated quarters. She almost suspected that the King of the island had given up his quarters for the Emperor. That was how it seemed to her no matter how she looked at it.
'Octavia!' Peter said coming to her with a surprised look on his face. 'I really didn't think it was you when the message was brought of your presence some minutes ago.'
'It is me and I have come to see the Emperor,' she said in a matter of fact way. Peter smiled at her, not minding her direct attitude. It was typical of Octavia to always go straight to the point. She hated to waste time.
'Yes I am aware. I have informed My Lord of your presence. He is having a bath. He will soon be done any moment from now.'
'I see,' she said with a sigh. Peter nodded at her.
'Well, come in and have some tea. Quarie has some very good hibiscus tea, the kind that makes your lips red and your eyes soft,' he advertised. Octavia nodded her acceptance and began to walk towards him. He turned and led the way into the quarters. 'Here, sit,' he cajoled her. She did so. 'I will go and get the hibiscus tea for you.'
'Yes. Thank you.' She watched as Peter left, noticing instantly that there were no maids in sight. She wasn't surprised. It ran in the Linamine Royal blood. They never allowed the maids of the place to serve them whenever they were in another kingdom. It may seem as if they were untrusting of their hosts, but it was for a good reason. Their father had died from poisoning after returning from a trip. They had developed the habit since then, her master and especially the emperor. Peter returned then with a cup that had steam at the top in his hand.
'Here you go,' he said handing it over to her. 'Savour it.' She smiled at him as she received it.
'I will, thank you.' she took a small sip then. 'It is as hot as I like,' she told him after the sip. 'It taste as good as you have made it to be.'
'I'm glad. Now tell me, is something wrong at the empire?' she nodded. Peter stared at her from his standing position, more alert. 'What? What is it?' he queried her.
'It's something that will anger the Emperor. But, it has nothing but everything to do with the empire,' she continued after swallowing a dram of the hot hibiscus tea.
'I do not understand your round about talk.'
'You shall soon enough.'
'Hmmh?' he asked her, lifting a brow at her in puzzlement.
'The emperor is coming,' was all she said to him, leaving him hanging. She finished her tea in two huge swallows -So much for I will savour it- and handed the cup to Peter. 'Thank you so much for the tea.'
'You are welcome.' Then, she stood up and bowed just as the Emperor came into view. What an insane timing! But, Peter wasn't surprised. He knew why they were all like that.
'My Lord,' she said as she straightened up. He nodded at her. He stopped in the centre of the room. Cora stood by his side, slightly behind him.
'I was told that you are here to see me Octavia,' he said to her.
'Yes I do My Lord.'
'Then, is all well?'
'Yes My Lord, all is well in your absence,' she told him.
'Well, I greatly doubt that Little would part with you over nothing,' he simply told her. 'Is Little himself alright?' he proceeded to ask. She smiled and nodded.
'Do not fret over him My Lord for my master is well,' she assured him. 'He is the one who sent me to you.'
'That I know Octavia,' he said to her impatiently. 'Whatever brought you here has to be very important then. Quickly tell it to me,' he ordered her. She sighed softly before she went to him, taking the letter out of her pocket. She went on one knee afore him, presenting the letter to him with both hands.
'I, Octavia of the Aqua territory kneel afore the Great Emperor of the Linamine Empire, sent by the Little Prince, bearing a letter that is marked urgent!' she announced.
'Thank you,' he said. The emperor took the letter from her. 'Rise to your feet brave one,' he ordered her. She did so after a bow.
'Thank you My Lord.' Then, he opened it, the letter. He slowly read the words written beautifully on the paper, recognizing it as the Little Prince's. It simply read: My Lord, I do not have sufficient time to write this. Quickly return to the Empire. Do so for your heart is at death's door. Your brother, Maximilian.
'What does he mean?' he asked turning to Octavia although he had an inkling, one he refused to acknowledge talk more of believing at the moment. 'Something has happened, hasn't it? What is it? Tell me Octavia!' he demanded.
'On this matter My Lord, I am afraid that I know only a little,' she told him. He stared at her.
'Tell me the little that you know,' he snapped impatiently at her. She hesitated for a moment.
'I know not much, except that the emperor's affianced, Princess Hera-Mera had the Lady that you keep whipped and then locked her and her aides in the dungeons. I did not see her wounds for myself, but from the way everyone was going helter skelter, it must be really serious,' she highlighted for him.
'She did what?!' he blurted out with wide shocked eyes, bulging with anger. She was happy that it wasn't directed at her, but still it managed to make her uneasy.
'She had her whipped and imprisoned in the dungeons My Lord,' she repeated for him.
'How dare she?!' he bellowed.
'She said she did it on accord of your acknowledgement. She keeps repeating that she is affianced to you and you have acknowledged that she is the soon to be empress. She is acting with this filled in her head,' she further expatiated.
'I did what?!'
'She said that you acknowledged the betrothal My Lord.'
'I shall behead her myself for daring to act like this!' he roared with all the rage coursing through him.
'My Lord, she went against you. She went against your seal as I heard therefore she defied you.' He turned to Cora then.
'We shall leave for Linamine in thirty minutes. Gather only the necessities, I shall be back to finalize with the King. Peter, you shall stay behind.'
'Yes My Lord,' bother Peter and Cora said simultaneously. Cora turned and left immediately.
'Inform the King of My urgent departure. Tell him that my house is on fire and I need to leave.'
'I will do just that My Lord,' Peter assured him.
'Carmen and Babibat shall remain here with you,' he said referring to the two other guards that he had brought along.
'Yes My Lord.' Cora returned about ten minutes later.
'My Lord, I am ready. Our horses are also ready,' she informed him. He turned to Octavia.
'Let's go!' he said to Octavia. 'You are coming with us.'
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...OmaPhinaPhire🔥