"I understand, Lily. Don't worry about me. Just go out there and do what you must do. Remember, I'll always be with you, okay?" I reassured her.
"Hmm..." she nodded with a smile.
"Good. Let's go then."
With that, we left for the throne room, exiting the garden. As we walked through the royal corridor, Lily suddenly stopped and turned toward me.
"Grey... My sister gave me this amulet before she was accused of treason. She said it would protect me from danger."
"I don't have much to say that these are mine, but this one has been with me for 6 years," she said as she showed the amulet hanging from her neck.
The amulet was very ordinary and had a simple design. It did not have grand artistic symbols or runes, just a silver-colored chain with a small circular disk.
The only thing out of the ordinary was the greenish-blue gem embedded in the disk.
It had an ethereal, almost ghostly glow, enticing onlookers and giving the amulet an overall eerie vibe.
"But now, I want to give it to you... as a token of love. I hope it protects you in times of need," she said as she removed it and hung it around my neck.
She looked at me with hesitation in her eyes, "Grey, now I-"
"Princess! Here you are..." But before Lily could finish, she was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Princess Lily, I was looking for you for a while... It's time." Guinevere approached her quickly.
"Oh, Guine. I was about to come to you, and I guess you guys have met already. But let me introduce you again..."
"Grey, this is Guinevere Shlesha; Royal Guard of the Empire and my 'Big Sis.' And Guine, this is Grey,"
*whispers* "Your Future King."
She said, introducing us formally.
"Nice to meet you, Ms. Shlesha."
"Likewise, Mr. Grey."
We briefly exchanged pleasantries. With that short introduction, we finally arrived at the throne room.
Lily and Guinevere swiftly departed to execute their plan, leaving me in a corner, awaiting my gang.
"Hey~ Grey~ what are you doing here in the corner?" I heard Ava's voice as she approached me, taking my arm and pressing it between her twin mounds.
"Ava, you are-" I turned towards the familiar angelic voice but halted as I saw her.
Before me, a shadow person had taken my arm. It was shaped like Ava, but all that was visible was a dark being—
a True Shadow figure.
'Wha-!' I was perplexed for a moment, but then it struck me.
"...Doppelganger?" I said, looking at it with uncertainty.
"Che! You saw through me... You are no fun," her voice immediately changed as she complained with annoyance.
"Stay straight for a while, will ya~" she continued, walking behind me only to emerge from the other side. This time, I could see the shape of the shadow figure had changed.
I quickly refocused my eyes, adjusting the range of my Dragon gaze. Only then, could I see her appearance.
She was a petite girl in a maid uniform.
"Is this your..?" I asked, and she replied before letting me finish, understanding my doubt.
"No, this is not my true form. This is the appearance of a maid who used to work here 150 years ago. Mistress allowed me to impersonate her."
"Only my husband can see my true form," she replied with gratitude in her voice towards Lily.
"Ohh... okay. And how may I call you?" I inquired, trying to learn more about her.
"I don't have a name. Naming me requires a large amount of mana, and as you know, Mistress can't use magic..."
"I want only Mistress and Master to name me... So, I don't have a name," she said with strong determination.
'She is indeed quite loyal; I must give her that,' I thought.
Engulfed in my thoughts, a sudden influx of soldiers stormed the throne room.
Strategically blocking every entrance and effectively sealing off all possible exits.
Instinctively, I kept my hand before her, stepping in front.
The sudden intrusion startled all the guests in the room, including nobles.
Even the Emperor and queen, were surprised by the unexpected turn of events.