The masked man searched through the shelves of the room and after a good ten minutes he got frustrated.
"Argh, where the heck is it?!" He yelled in annoyance as he slumped defeatedly on the wooden floor of the library like study.
He was about to give up his search but something caught his eye immediately he looked up.
There was something shining under the desk at the far end of the study.
He rushed towards the study table to see what the shinny blue gem was. He reached for the object and yanked on it.
The gem became longer as he continued pulling on it. The gem came out completely and he realised it was had a blue half and a red half.
He tapped on the gem a few times and what happened next made his jaw dropped.
The gem glowed and when he opened his eyes, a huge atlas appeared before his.
~ An atlas is a huge book of maps. ~
"Oh my, this is perfect. I asked for a finger and got a entire human being," the man cheered as he gazed at the Atlas spread across the floor about six feet longer and four feet wide.
The map book was stored inside the gem and he smiled victoriously when he discovered it was a gem from the former frozen wasteland of Asyrillia.
The potential origin of the late Empress. The place where Princess Cecilia was blessed and introduced to the Empire.
The masked man was about to look through the book when he heard approaching footsteps.
He quickly tapped the blue gem two times, the map was engulfed by the blue light until it was no longer visible before fleeing the scene.
_
"Haha, I'm just too good to catch. No one can even fathom how and who'll be responsible for the downfall of this Empire," the thought as he chuckled looking at the innocent people who believe they'll be under the Emperor's jurisdiction.
He brought out the gem and threw it in the air and then catching it midway.
"My one-way ticket to freedom, there is simply no room for failure." He muttered to himself.
He then turned to his subordinate, who was looking at him with a questioning gaze.
"The first course of the mission was successful. We'll leave when the party ends, Peter." The masked man said in an authoritative tone and the man bowed to him.
"Yes my Lo... I mean sir. This mission is very important for our future, I'll try my best not to mess it up." Peter said with determination in his eyes and the masked man nodded in approval.
Meanwhile, in the Empress's garden. Cecilia sat down on a bench in the side of the garden.
Poppy stared worriedly at her but didn't dare say a knowing her mistress was in a very bad mood.
When she realised Cecilia had intention of moving she decided to throw caution to the wind.
"My Lady, have I perhaps offended you in any way?" Poppy asked in a low, cautious tone.
"..." Was the reply from Cecilia.
"My Lady, it's your birthday today. Please don't be upset." Poppy tried again.
"..." But there was still no reply from the latter, she just kept staring at the wide range of flowers in the Empress's garden.
"My Lady, we have to go. I'm sure the guests must have arrived by now." Poppy said in a breath finally receiving a glare in response from Cecilia.
Cecilia sighed as she got up from the bench still staring at the Cecil drops she'd been nursing since the beginning of winter.
"Poppy..." Cecilia suddenly shocking Poppy as chills ran down her spine at the cold tone she spoke with, followed with an even colder stare.
"Y- yes my lady?" Poppy said as she kept moving from one foot to another in discomfort, adjusting her furry coat as she avoided looking straight into her mistress's eyes.
Cecilia exhaled trying to control the rage boiling in her so she wouldn't behead the little maid on the spot. She looked down at Poppy with the most disgusted look she could muster.
"Do you still remember the reason why you are here,who brought you here and the promises you made before getting her?" Cecilia asked in a low brooding tone.
"O... of course my lady, how can I ever forget. I swore my life to you and to put your protection and desires before my own." Poppy said in a defensive tone.
"Then of course you still remember the consequences of breaking that oath." Cecilia continued.
"Yes, my lady." Poppy answer not knowing what else to say in response.
"Good then. Let's go." Cecilia said in a cool tone as she turned on her heels, unknown to her that her current appearance terrified Poppy even so much.
The remaining walk to the Emperor's palace was quiet and it seemed like they'd been walking for decades till they finally arrived.
"The First Princess of the Gastonian Empire is gracing us with her presence." The royal announcer you'd almost lost his voice announcing so many noble families, yelled with enthusiasm.
All eyes were looked into the entrance doors of the room in anticipation of the appearance of the only Princess.
Cecilia walked elegantly into the room with Poppy trailing obediently behind her.
As soon as she stepped into the room, a loud gasp erupted from the crowd.
Some of the noble women spoke in jealousy while their husbands, brothers and even their betrotheds were drooling at the sight of the unimaginably beautiful Princess.
The masked man who was talking to some nobles immediately turned around after the announcer had finished announcing the Princess's arrival.
"Breath taking as expected." He said under his breath as she stared longingly at the Princess who slowly approaching him.
She was walking towards him and when she reached were he stood, she walked passed him giving the man a chance to inhale her intoxicating scent and touch her beautiful blonde hair that glowed like sunlight.
"So soft..." The man said in a whisper and he closed his eyes enjoying the feel of her hair on his face.
"Greetings to the ruler of the Great Gastonian Empire." Cecilia greeted the Emperor on behalf of herself and Poppy when she stood before.
"Rise my daughter. Happy birthday dear!" The Emperor yelled out the last part signalling all the gossips to shut their mouths if they value their lives.
The masked man smirked at the Emperor's indirect silencing.
--To be continued...