The group meandered through the usual pleasantries with the Empress and her nobles. Praising hunts, engagements (military and otherwise, much to Stolas' displeasure), news of the southern occupied territories and the suppression of rebel forces. Towards the end of the feast, the Empress' eyes flicked to Michaeas, his full plate, and his full glass. She pulled her lips into a tight smile that did not reach her eyes.
"Does my hospitality not please you sir?" Stolas noticed the interaction twice in double vision, and his mask of self control and self awareness fell from his face five drinks ago, slippery from the alcohol. He unabashedly hooked his arm over Michaeas' shoulders, around his neck. Michaeas' open mouth, poised to respond, slammed shut. Stolas reached across his chest and for a moment the pose resembled an embrace, before he grabbed the angel's glass of wine and finished it in one gulp.
"Michaeas cannot eat. His religion fasts during the day and may only consume after the moon has reached its apex," He glanced at the glass in his hand. "Nor may they drink." He quickly added.
"I see, forgive me, I am not familiar with the customs of the Frostlands." said the Empress. Stolas smiled, turning to Michaeas, his eyes lingering.
"Fascinating, is it not?" he replied.
Kalou read the room and his brother's state of mind. He tread too close to the garden in which seeds of doubt may be sown. Collinisers saw unknown cultures as something to be researched, understood, and subsequently dominated. He nudged Éirean and the pair shared a glance at Caine also, who's jaw clenched further and lips loosened with every word Stolas spoke, like a pot of boiling oil just waiting for a drop of water to send him into an uproar and a rant Kalou could not be certain they would recover from politically. He steered the conversation away from Michaeas who unhooked Stolas from around his shoulders, sparing a moment to acknowledge Eloise's green face of jealousy staring intently at him.
"Now then, to the matter at hand," said Kalou, raising his voice. "We have spoken with her imperial majesty," Kalou gave a polite nod towards her. "As the lady Helena has gone missing amongst others in the city and the surrounding villages, as of tomorrow at dawn my knight and captain of my personal guard Éirean Lanoste and I will search for them alongside Master Caine VanCourts. As my brother has travelled all this way to spend time with his bride - if the imperial princess Eloise permits - he will do as such, protected by Michaeas. I hope this satisfies everyone."
Stolas huffed in frustration as he pulled a pillow over his head and growled into it. "I cannot believe they have left me to do the stealing, again! That's if the bloody thing even exists." He shouted into it.
"It is not you alone, Balit el." said Michaeas who perched at the bottom of the bed, a hidden crease in his brow at Stolas' strange drunken behaviour. He could not fathom why this human would let his guard down to such a degree.
"It is, you are hardly going to help me. Is that not one step too far for you? Besides, it is the principle of the matter. Not to mention I now must spend tomorrow with that clingy fiancée of mine whom I do not even like."
"Why do you not like her?"
"She is just…bland. So simple, plain. Not to mention racist and obsessive. There is nothing about her that excites me. If I am going to marry someone it must be a person who teaches me something new every day, who surprises me. Eloise Solieste is not that person." He paused. "What a miserable married life it will be." They settled into a silence that lasted so long, Stolas' eyes began to droop and he nearly surrendered to his pillow. Before he could drift off however, he compelled himself to ask something that had bugged him since they first heard of the kidnappings. "Hey, Micha." The angel hummed in acknowledgement. "Do you know who is committing the kidnappings?" His words were left to linger in the room, until he almost wondered if the angel had not heard him.
"Yes."
"Will you tell me who they are?"
"No, Balit el. Would that not ruin the mystery for you?" In his half conscious state, Stolas let out a chuckle.
"I suppose so."
On the next mild, sun-kissed day, Stolas and Eloise embarked on a leisurely stroll through the enchanting palace gardens, their steps carrying them deeper into a world of natural splendour and tranquil beauty. Stolas deigned to put a little effort into his appearance and wore a tailored doublet of crimson red, adorned with intricate golden embroidery that shimmered under the dappled sunlight. His black hair cascaded in loose waves, framing his face and striking dark eyes that strained not to close with boredom.
Princess Eloise, a vision of grace and elegance, dressed herself up to the extremes. A flowing gown of pale purple silk draped over her delicate figure, embellished with silver thread, weaving intricate floral patterns that mirrored the blossoms adorning the gardens. Its ethereal layers billowed with each gentle breeze. Long, wavy locks of her brown hair cascaded down her back, intertwined with delicate blooms of wildflowers. Her makeup accentuated her every feature, bringing out the gold flecks in her eyes and sweetening her lips to a cherry red hue. The ladies in waiting have been hard at work, he thought as the image of her blood soaked form in hunting gear from yesterday flashed in his mind.
As they wandered along the meandering paths, the fragrance of blooming roses and lavender embraced them, mingling with the melodies of dragons chirping and the distant sound of a nearby fountain. Vibrant flower beds, meticulously arranged, burst forth in a riot of colours, their petals capturing the sunlight and casting a magical glow. The gardens were adorned with picturesque features, like ornate stone statues that stood as silent sentinels among the foliage. Graceful peacocks strutted by, their iridescent plumage spreading like a fan behind them, adding a touch of regality to the scenery. Beyond the rose arbours and trellised archways, they discovered a small, secluded pond, its surface mirror-like and tranquil. A stone bench awaited them, and they sat down, their fingers entwined as they watched the water's gentle ripples and listened to the soothing murmur of the wind.
"Eloise. Did you rest well? Judging from your success on your hunting trip you must have been tired." His simple inquiry at her wellbeing had the princess fidgeting with excitement. Although his senior at twenty-two years old, she behaved like a besotted teenager in front of him. Stolas let a sickeningly sweet smile bloom on his face. He knew weaponizing her love would be the quickest way into their famous relic vault.
"I can't say I did Stolas, I was simply too excited for our day out together today."
"Indeed, as was I." he said as his eyes flicked to Michaeas who stood guard silently under a distant tree, as if to ask him not to betray his true thoughts. "Tell me how things have been now that all of the southern territories have been suppressed. I cannot imagine the hoard must have returned with." He baited her.
"It's magnificent!" Her voice resonated with a maddening infatuation and in unabashed delight, the princess described the riches her kingdom acquired. She spoke with an almost unsettling enthusiasm, her words painting vivid pictures of lands plundered and civilizations conquered. She revelled in the wealth and opulence her people amassed, describing in detail the treasures of the south—the gleaming emeralds, the fiery rubies, and the rivers of gold that flowed like lava.
"Have you ever seen something so pure?" she asked, revealing a necklace adorned with a magnificent ruby, crimson as spilled blood. With reverence she spoke of the stone's history, its origin traced to a sacred temple in Criot-Prea. The tale of her kingdom's ruthless campaign, how they razed the temple to the ground, leaving behind nothing but ashes and broken souls. Stolas listened in disgust to the tale of destruction and carnage all in the name of obtaining the precious gem that now dangled from her neck.
"Amazing," He applauded, his vibrant tone diluted by his internal odium. "That ruby is a thing of beauty," he held the pillaged jewel in his hands, deliberately brushing against her neck as he did so. He drew closer, and his eyes rose to meet hers, "Much like its wearer." Her cheeks flushed red. "Tell me, did you get any other relics for your vault, weapons perhaps?"
"Ah!" Her eyes widened. "Your friend Michaeas told me you were interested in divine weapons." Stolas cursed internally. He went to look at the angel again to gauge his attitude but Michaeas disappeared.
"What else did he tell you?" Stolas groaned, without realising he pulled harder on the necklace and yanked the princess even closer. Under the spell of his charming facade Eloise mistook their proximity entirely. From the servant boy's point of view as he approached with their morning tea, the situation in front of him had him burn up until his ears glowed red and jaw slacking so far anyone would worry it may reach the ground. In a second he turned on his heel and ran away, spilling tea all over his uniform.
Stolas did not register what the warm pressure on his lips was. His eyes only widened as he realised Eloise wrapped herself around him. Her lips parted as she exhaled a shuddering breath. Only when she placed herself on him again did it dawn on him he was being kissed. The foreign feeling stole the air from his lungs and rendered his body unresponsive to his commands to pull away. The white hot heat of panic exploded in his chest and his hands trembled as his dizzied mind scrambled to figure out what to do, how to respond. The pit in his stomach became an abyss. Just… don't… move, he told himself. Stolas understood if he acted on his repulsion, any chance of gaining access to the relic vault would be dashed, but he could not force the scared expression that took over his face to vanish.
"Your royal highness. Imperial princess Eloise. Your morning tea." Michaeas sauntered over holding a tray with a fine porcelain teapot and two teacups matching in design. A stained cloth draped over his arm, and far behind him the servant boy looked on with a guilty look. Caught out, Eloise immediately pulled away.
"Stolas was admiring my necklace." she said as she attempted to cover up her transgression, although the lie came across as a threat.
"Thank you, Micha." said Stolas, sounding almost too relieved. His heart still pounded from the shock and he slid to the far end of the stone bench, using the excuse of making room for the tray. The atmosphere was palpable as Michaeas provided their refreshments. As he knelt down, using his shoulders and back to block Eloise, he inclined towards the prince.
"Are you alright?" He mouthed. Before Stolas could answer Eloise nudged Michaeas out of her way.
"We were just talking about you Michaeas." said Eloise with thin lips. Michaeas retreated, and Stolas remarked a note of confusion on the angel's face. "Thank you for our conversation this morning and telling me all about my darling's new interests. You have been most helpful."
"It is true that his royal highness is researching the holy book, I merely thought you may be able to engage with his focus on divine weaponry as your relic vault is well known to hide many treasures." He turned to Stolas who listened intently. "I know you were hoping to study one up close, were you not?" Stolas smiled, genuinely this time.
"I would love to."